Transferring Oil for Hanukkah Candles
Question
Shalom and blessings, dear Rabbi. I suddenly won't be able to be home today, and I asked my neighbor to light the candles for me and appointed him as my emissary over the phone. However, there is no key to the house in the area, so I also asked him to fill his own oil into the cup of the Hanukkah menorah located at the entrance of the house outside. Do I also need to ask him to transfer the ownership of the oil to me?
Answer
The emissary lighting on behalf of another must perform an acquisition of the oil. Ask your neighbor to intend to transfer the oil to you. If the place of the menorah belongs to you, you can acquire it through the acquisition of the courtyard. If the place is not yours, ask your neighbor to have someone who is not a member of his household acquire the oil [by lifting it with the intention to transfer it to you].