Q. One is to undergo an operation on both his eyes and he will be bandaged and not seeing for a couple of weeks that coincide with some of the Chanuka days.
Is he allowed then to have a family member direct his hand so he can light himself the Menorah reciting the usual brachos, including 'Lehadlik Ner'?
A. Mishna Berura ((675: 3) quoting Rashal rules that a blind person if he is in a house with his wife or others who light. if he can contribute with them, they should light for him. However, if he is alone, he may light himself with the help of someone else, but should not recite the Bracha.
Shevet Halevi (3: 90) maintains that the blind can also recite the Brocho of Lehadlik Ner. Yalkut Yosef (p. 224) mentions that the tradition of Yerushalaim is also that the blind recite all blessings.
However, Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is to follow the Mishha Berura's ruling that others should light for him.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
