1)There are differing opinions amongst the Poskim whether women are obligated in saying Halel on Chanukah.
The accepted Minhag [amongst Ashkenazic women] is that, although they are most probably not obligated as it is a "Mitzvas Asei SheHazman Grama- a Mitzvah that is bound by time", the women do in fact recite Halel, with a Bracha, on each of the 8 days of Chanukah, as they were also part of the Chanukah miracle. (See Biur Halacha Siman 422:2. See also Moadim U’Zemanim Siman 146)
The Sephardic Minhag is that women do not recite blessings when they perform any "Mitzvos Asei SheHazman Gerama", therefore women who follow the Sephardic customs should not recite the blessing on the Halel on Chanukah [or anytime], but are praised if they do recite the Halel [without a blessing] , and are encouraged to do so.(Shu"t Yabia Omer from Rav Ovadia Yoseph Shlita, Vol. 6 Siman 46)
2) When davening in a Bais HaAvel (a house where mourners are sitting Shiva) there is a dispute about how to proceed with Halel.
Some Poskim maintain that Halel isn’t said at all in that house; rather the individuals should recite it when they leave the Avel’s home.
Others maintain that Halel should be recited, but the Avel himself should refrain from joining the minyan in its recitation. Others allow the Avel to recite Halel. The prevalent Minhag is for the Avel [or the Tzibbur] to go to another room and not say the Halel in the presence of the Avel. (See Pri Chadash Siman 422 and Siman 683.)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER:
(Reader Submitted Questions of interest (on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topics) and my Answers taken from the Q & A page on the HalachaForToday.comwebsite. For study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha. Questions can be sent to Halacha For Today)
Reader’s Question:
On Shabbos Chanuka, I will be in a hotel for a Simcha from Friday afternoon till Motzai Shabbos. What is the Din for lighting Chanuka Friday evening?
My Answer:
One who is not home, and is spending the night in a hotel must light in the hotel.
According to many Poskim the ideal place is in the room in the hotel that you will be sleeping in and not in the dining room, as this room is "reserved" for you. (Psak of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita. Rav Moshe Sternbuch Shlita in Shu"t Teshuvos V’Hanhagos Vol. 3 Siman 215:14 paskens like this as well, unless there is no window in the room, then he maintains it’s better to light at the window in the dining room)
Some Poskim (Rav Nissim Karelitz Shlita and others) maintain that it is best to light in the dining room, especially if there are others there for the same reason as you (family simcha, Yarchei Kallah etc.) as that makes it as if the entire "family" is together, and thus the proper place to light.
Obviously, if the hotel doesnt allow lighting fires in the rooms, it is best to rely on those Poskim that say to light in the dining room.
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