Why don’t Ashkenazi women light the Chanukiah?

• The Gemara says that women should also light, because the miracle concerned them as well. Moreover, the miracle occurred thanks to a woman, Yehudit, who killed an enemy general. That is why a woman who lives alone should light the Chanukah candles.
• However, it is true that if there is a man in the house, it is preferable for him to light the Chanukah candles, as the main part of the miracle is the flask of oil and women were not part of this miracle. That is why it is better for the woman to fulfill the Mitzvah through the lighting by the husband, which is related to the miracle of the flask of oil.

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