Placement of the Chanukah Candles: Difference between revisions
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* Rav Hershel Schachter (“Where to Light Neiros [[Chanukah]] in the dorm,” min 1-6 min 1-6) explained that perhaps a yeshiva student living in the dorms cannot fulfill his obligation by lighting in the lobby, as the staircase is not considered a courtyard. He added that the hallways of each floor are considered courtyards because they really are used for private uses, as people walk around in bathrobes when going to take a shower. Regarding lighting on a floor other than where one lives, there is less room to believe that the stairwell is considered a courtyard. Rav Schachter (Halachipedia Article 5773 #11) stated explicitly that it is absolutely forbidden to light in the dorm rooms without permission. As such, one either should light at home or, if that is not feasible, he should light in the lobby after hearing the [[brachot]] from someone else. | * Rav Hershel Schachter (“Where to Light Neiros [[Chanukah]] in the dorm,” min 1-6 min 1-6) explained that perhaps a yeshiva student living in the dorms cannot fulfill his obligation by lighting in the lobby, as the staircase is not considered a courtyard. He added that the hallways of each floor are considered courtyards because they really are used for private uses, as people walk around in bathrobes when going to take a shower. Regarding lighting on a floor other than where one lives, there is less room to believe that the stairwell is considered a courtyard. Rav Schachter (Halachipedia Article 5773 #11) stated explicitly that it is absolutely forbidden to light in the dorm rooms without permission. As such, one either should light at home or, if that is not feasible, he should light in the lobby after hearing the [[brachot]] from someone else. | ||
* See Rav Baruch Simon (Imrei Baruch Eruvin p. 40-1), in discussing the Chazon Ish, argues that there is room to distinguish between Eruvin and [[Chanukah]] regarding the definition of a courtyard. | * See Rav Baruch Simon (Imrei Baruch Eruvin p. 40-1), in discussing the Chazon Ish, argues that there is room to distinguish between Eruvin and [[Chanukah]] regarding the definition of a courtyard. | ||
* Torat HaMoadim 2:5 writes that if there’s a place to eat, such as the cafeteria, and place to sleep, such as the dorms, in one building, one can light wherever in the building there’s more Pirsume Nisa (Publicizing the miracle) such as the entrance to the cafeteria, in the cafeteria, entrance to the dorms, or in the dorms. He writes that if the cafeteria and dorm are in separate buildings there is a dispute whether one should light by the place one eats or the place one sleeps. The dispute is based on the Rashba (responsa 1:542) who says that if one eats daily at someone’s house he must join in the lighting at that house. Thus, the Rama 677:1, Taz 677:2, and Leket Yoshar rule the main place for the [[Chanukah]] candles is where he eats. However, Sh”t Maharshal 85 says the place where one sleeps is primary. Sefer Yosef Ometz Yuzfa 1071, Sh”t Rivivot Efrayim in name of Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igrot Moshe (Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igrot Moshe O”C 4:70(3), Y”D 3:14(5)), and Sh”t Minchat Yitzchak 7:48 agree. Rav Moshe adds that the people living their should draw lots to determine who will sit by the candles to prevent a fire. The Chazon Ish cited in Teshuvot Vihanhagot 2:342:11 and Rav Aharon Kotler cited in Halachos of [[Chanukah]] by Rav Shimon Eider pg. 37 hold that the primary place is the place of eating. Chazon Ish says that as a stringency one should also light without a bracha by the place of sleeping. </ref> | * Torat HaMoadim 2:5 writes that if there’s a place to eat, such as the cafeteria, and place to sleep, such as the dorms, in one building, one can light wherever in the building there’s more Pirsume Nisa (Publicizing the miracle) such as the entrance to the cafeteria, in the cafeteria, entrance to the dorms, or in the dorms. He writes that if the cafeteria and dorm are in separate buildings there is a dispute whether one should light by the place one eats or the place one sleeps. The dispute is based on the Rashba (responsa 1:542) who says that if one eats daily at someone’s house he must join in the lighting at that house. Thus, the Rama 677:1, Taz 677:2, and Leket Yoshar rule the main place for the [[Chanukah]] candles is where he eats. However, Sh”t Maharshal 85 says the place where one sleeps is primary. Sefer Yosef Ometz Yuzfa 1071, Sh”t Rivivot Efrayim in name of Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igrot Moshe (Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igrot Moshe O”C 4:70(3), Y”D 3:14(5); and cited by Halachos of Chanuka by Rabbi Eider p. 37), and Sh”t Minchat Yitzchak 7:48 agree. Rav Moshe adds that the people living their should draw lots to determine who will sit by the candles to prevent a fire. The Chazon Ish cited in Teshuvot Vihanhagot 2:342:11 and Rav Aharon Kotler cited in Halachos of [[Chanukah]] by Rav Shimon Eider pg. 37 hold that the primary place is the place of eating. Chazon Ish says that as a stringency one should also light without a bracha by the place of sleeping. </ref> | ||
# Some say that one fulfills his obligation by lighting in the lobby of a dormitory. Some also have the minhag to light in the cafeteria of the yeshiva.<ref>Rav Aharon Kotler (cited by Rabbi Shimon Eider in Halachos [[Chanukah]] p. 37, n. 12)</ref> Others, however, argue that one would fulfill his obligation only if he lights on the same floor as his room. Due to safety considerations, though, many Yeshivot, including YU, forbid lighting in or next to the dorm rooms.<ref>Rabbi Mordechai Willig (oral communication, Halachipedia Article 5773 #11) said that even according to the Chazon Ish one could explain the minhag of the yeshiva to light at the entrances of the dorm building because people walk around more casually in the dorms than they would in the street. Rav Hershel Schachter (“Where to Light Neiros [[Chanukah]] in the dorm,” min 1-6) explained that perhaps a yeshiva student living in the dorms cannot fulfill his obligation by lighting in the lobby, as the staircase is not considered a courtyard. He added that the hallways of each floor are considered courtyards because they really are used for private uses, as people walk around in bathrobes when going to take a shower. Rav Schachter (oral communication, Halachipedia Article 5773 #11) stated that it is absolutely forbidden to light in the dorm rooms without permission.</ref> | # Some say that one fulfills his obligation by lighting in the lobby of a dormitory. Some also have the minhag to light in the cafeteria of the yeshiva.<ref>Rav Aharon Kotler (cited by Rabbi Shimon Eider in Halachos [[Chanukah]] p. 37, n. 12)</ref> Others, however, argue that one would fulfill his obligation only if he lights on the same floor as his room. Due to safety considerations, though, many Yeshivot, including YU, forbid lighting in or next to the dorm rooms.<ref>Rabbi Mordechai Willig (oral communication, Halachipedia Article 5773 #11) said that even according to the Chazon Ish one could explain the minhag of the yeshiva to light at the entrances of the dorm building because people walk around more casually in the dorms than they would in the street. Rav Hershel Schachter (“Where to Light Neiros [[Chanukah]] in the dorm,” min 1-6) explained that perhaps a yeshiva student living in the dorms cannot fulfill his obligation by lighting in the lobby, as the staircase is not considered a courtyard. He added that the hallways of each floor are considered courtyards because they really are used for private uses, as people walk around in bathrobes when going to take a shower. Rav Schachter (oral communication, Halachipedia Article 5773 #11) stated that it is absolutely forbidden to light in the dorm rooms without permission.</ref> | ||
===Apartment Building=== | ===Apartment Building=== | ||
# See full article [[Where should one light one’s Chanukia if one lives in an apartment building?]] but here is the summary: | # See full article [[Where should one light one’s Chanukia if one lives in an apartment building?]] but here is the summary: | ||
