Does an unmarried son living with his parents need his own hanukkiah?

Question: An adult young man who is not yet married lives in his parents’ home. Must he light Hanukkah candles separately?

Answer:

The Ben Ish Chai describes the custom of his city, Baghdad:

An unmarried son, even if he is already grown up, does not light his own hanukkiah, but fulfills his obligation through his father’s lighting.

What happens after he marries?

According to the custom he describes, a married son living in his father’s house lights in the room where he sleeps.

However, he does not say the blessing himself.

Instead:

1. He stands next to his father during the blessings.

2. He intends to fulfill his obligation with his father’s blessings.

3. He goes to his room and lights his own hanukkiah.

Important: here the Ben Ish Chai describes the custom of Baghdad, not necessarily the custom of all Jewish communities.