Hanukah- How many Menorahs In Each Home by The Ashkenazim? - a podcast by Rabbi Eli J. Mansour

Generally, Sephardic Halachic practice follows the Rambam, and the Ashkenazim follow other Rishonim. However, there seems to be an exception to this rule with regard to lighting the Hanukah Menorah. It is commonly understood that it is the Ashkenazim who follow the ruling of the Rambam! The Rambam rules that the number of candles lit equals the number of people in the house multiplied by the night of Hanukah. For example, if there were ten people in the house, then on the eighth night they would light eighty candles. This appears to correspond to the Ashkenazic practice that every member of the household lights their own Menorah. Sepharadim, of course, light only one Menorah per household, following the position of the Tosafot to have only one Menorah, to clearly indicate the current day of the holiday, corresponding to the progression of the miracle. However, it is worthy to point out that the Ashkenazim are not actually following the Rambam in the purest form. There are certain differences between them. First, the Rambam clearly states that the head of the house lights all of the candles according to the number of people, as opposed to the Ashkenazic custom in which each member of the family lights. Second, The Rambam clearly rules that the women are included in the number of candles, whereas according to the Ashkenazim, the wife does not light, and she is included in her husband's lighting- "Ishto K'Gufo" (The wife is one unit with her husband). In addition, many Ashkenazim have the custom that the girls do not light at all. Third, it is inferred from the Rambam that the number of candles is based on the amount of people living in the house, irrespective of whether they are currently at home. According to the Ashkenazic custom, if people are away, they don't light extra Menorahs on their behalf.

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