An Individual who Plans on Returning Home Late at Night

Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt"l writes that even if a husband knows that he will be returning home that same night but at a late hour, it is better for him to appoint his wife as his agent to light the candles at the proper time, which is approximately fifteen minutes after sunset, rather than light on his own at the later time. Even though there is a rule by all Mitzvot that "it is preferable for one to fulfill the Mitzvah on his own rather than through an agent," in this situation it is preferable for the husband to appoint his wife as his agent since in this way, the Mitzvah will be fulfilled at the proper time our Sages established for it. Additionally, even when one's wife lights on his behalf, since halachically "one's wife is like one's self" (meaning they are considered to be one entity), it is considered as if the husband has lit the Chanukah candles on his own.

An additional issue must still be discussed. We mentioned above that when a husband sees that he will only arrive home late, he should appoint his wife to light on his behalf and he will consequently fulfill his obligation. However, if this was the situation on the first night of Chanukah, the husband will not have recited the "Shehecheyanu" blessing customarily recited on the first night. Thus, if the individual is home on the second night and will be lighting the Chanukah candles himself, he must consequently recite the "Shehecheyanu" blessing since this is his first actual lighting of the Chanukah candles.