Q. Hi. I hope I have the right number. I have a question for a Rabbi. I live in Toronto and I will have to leave my house on Sunday before Chanukah lighting. I will be going to see an event that I have tickets for. I would be home around 10 pm or so. To leave for this event, I'd have to leave probably around 4:30 pm or so.
So my question is based on Hanukah candle lighting which I believe is around 5:15 (although correct me if I'm wrong), can I light the candles for the first night BEFORE I go or would it be too early? Thanks in advance.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that one should light on the onset in Toronto about 25 minutes after the Shekiah (sunset). In your case and in need, you should light early at 4.30 PM since it is after Plag Hamincha.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a