What is the minimum Chanukah lighting obligation for a household each night?
Halacha 1 states that the basic mitzvah requires only one candle per household each night; lighting one per person or adding candles each night are higher levels of observance (mehadrin and mehadrin min hamehadrin).
Question 2
According to the Spanish custom described by Rambam (Halacha 3), how many candles are lit on the eighth night regardless of household size?
The Spanish custom follows mehadrin min hamehadrin on a household basis: one candle on night one, adding one each night, reaching eight on the eighth night—no matter how many people are in the household.
Question 3
From what time may Chanukah candles be lit, and for how long must they burn?
Halacha 5 rules that candles may not be lit before sunset and must remain burning for at least thirty minutes into the night—long enough for foot traffic in the public domain to see and recognize the Chanukah lights.
Question 4
Which of the following renders a Chanukah lighting invalid according to Halacha 9?
Halacha 9 explicitly invalidates lighting by a minor (as well as a deaf-mute, mentally incapable person, or gentile), because the mitzvah must be performed by someone who is obligated. Women are obligated and may light; lighting indoors in danger is permitted by Halacha 8.
Question 5
When a person has only one prutah and must choose between Chanukah lamp oil and Shabbat kiddush wine, what does Rambam rule?
Halacha 13 rules that Chanukah lamp oil takes precedence: since kiddush can be recited over bread, wine is not indispensable, while the Chanukah lamp—whose purpose is pirsumei nisa—has no equivalent substitute.