Is it a good idea to let children light the shamash?

Question: How can young children be included in lighting the Hanukkah candles and educated in mitzvot?

Answer:

The Ben Ish Chai recommends letting one of the young children light the shamash.

According to him, although the shamash is not one of the obligatory candles, it has an aspect of mitzvah, and so it is proper to include the children in lighting it.

He adds that this was his own practice.

Can a young child light the obligatory candles?

According to the Ben Ish Chai’s ruling, a minor should not be allowed to light the candles through which the main mitzvah is fulfilled for the adults.

The educational message: Hanukkah is an opportunity to include children in mitzvot and to create in them a personal connection to the tradition.