The Shulchan Aruch brings down that women should not do work, while the candles are lit. The Mishnah Berurah also brings down that the same applies to men, according to the Maharil. The reason for this, is because maybe the lights would go out and she would be in the middle of her work, and then she would use the light of the candles for a prohibited use. Some say that this only applies for the first 1/2 hour, which the candles are lit after Tzeis Hakochavim. The Levush brings down that there is another reason for women not to do work, because the days of Chanukah were set as days of holiday, and praise.

In order to show this, and because the miracle of Chanukah was brought out by the women, there are those that hold that one can not enjoy the light of the candles, even after 1/2 hour, they would hold then also not to do work the whole time that the candles are lit. Thus there is reason for women to prevent from doing work while the candles are lit, even till midnight, yet most retain from work as said above, the first 1/2 hour, unless ones Minhag is otherwise.

There are those that say it is a Segulah for women to retain from doing work, if possible, even the whole day. Some say that this only applies the first and last day of Chanukah. There are those that don’t do any work at all, the first half hour. There are those that do work which is permitted on Yom Tov, like cooking, yet not sewing and washing clothing, ironing. While some allow other house cleaning like washing the floor and cleaning the house

When it comes to lighting the candles, the Mishnah Berurah says that the wife does not light since she is Yotzai through her husband. The Mishna Berura brings down the Sefer Olat Shmuel, that women and girls also are commanded to light, yet they are exempt by the men in the house. However, if they do want to light, like when the husband is not home, she does light even with Bracha, since she is required to do this Mitzvah. And because any positive time-bound mitzvah a women can make a Bracha on if she wants to do the Mitzvah. However, the girls in the house should not light with a Bracha, if their mother or father (or any other man/boy) is lighting in the house. The Chidushei Chasam Sofer also explains why women and girls have the Minhag not to light, because in those days they used to light outside, and it was not proper for the girls to light outside, so they heard the Brachos from the door. Nowadays, even though we light mostly indoors, the Minhag still stands.

I hope you have found this informative. Have a great Shabbos and a great Chanukah!

Dovi Herman