Q. We will be traveling during Chanuka, and we are taking with us a few small tin menorahs with candles, for myself and the children. Can we on Shabbat use one of those menorahs to light the Shabbat candles? We would set that menorah separate from the others and with only two candles lit on it, as opposed to the six candles the others will have. Is that permitted? Could we use the shamashim of all the menorahs as Shabbath candles instead?
A. As mentioned in question 2462 above, Mishnas Sochir (O.H. 2: 205), Kinyan Torah (6: 47) and others, permit the use of a menorah that was used for Chanuka candles for another mitzva use, such as Shabbos candles, a seudas mitzva or learning Torah. However they should not be used for non- mitzva activities.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should light the menorahs first using the shamoshim as always. After the Chanuka candles were lit, the shamoshin should be turned off and then placed in their usual location by each menorah. They should then be lit as Shabbos candles, by the spouse or daughters as they usually do.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a