Anonymous

Earliest and Latest time to light Chanukah Candles: Difference between revisions

From Halachipedia
no edit summary
m (Text replace - "Category:Chanuka" to "Category:Chanukah")
No edit summary
Line 6: Line 6:
* However, The Mordechai (Hagahot Mordechai 455) writes that one should light [[Chanukah]] candles at Tzeit HaKochavim, because a candle isn’t noticeable during the day. Similarly, Rabbenu Tam (Sefer HaYashar 221, Tosfot Menachot 20b D”H Nifsal) holds that one should not [[chanuka]] candles until the end of the second [[shekiyah]], which is equivalent to Tzet Hakochavim. The Hagahot Mordechai ([[Shabbat]] 455), Ritva 21b, Sh”t Trumat HaDeshen 102 in name of Mordechai, Sedah LeDerech 4:7(2), and Bach 672:1 based on the Rosh ([[Shabbat]] 2:3) concur with the opinion of Rabbenu Tam. The Tur and S”A 672:1 rule like the Mordechai.  
* However, The Mordechai (Hagahot Mordechai 455) writes that one should light [[Chanukah]] candles at Tzeit HaKochavim, because a candle isn’t noticeable during the day. Similarly, Rabbenu Tam (Sefer HaYashar 221, Tosfot Menachot 20b D”H Nifsal) holds that one should not [[chanuka]] candles until the end of the second [[shekiyah]], which is equivalent to Tzet Hakochavim. The Hagahot Mordechai ([[Shabbat]] 455), Ritva 21b, Sh”t Trumat HaDeshen 102 in name of Mordechai, Sedah LeDerech 4:7(2), and Bach 672:1 based on the Rosh ([[Shabbat]] 2:3) concur with the opinion of Rabbenu Tam. The Tur and S”A 672:1 rule like the Mordechai.  
* Most achronim hold like S”A to light at Tzet Hakochavim including the Shaarei Knesset HaGedolah 672:1, Magan Avraham 672:1, Eliyah Raba 672:1, Maamer Mordechai 672:1, Chaye Adam 154:18, Derech HaChaim 672:2, Ben Ish Chai Vayeshev 7, Shulchan lechem Hapanim 672, and Kaf Hachaim 672:2.  
* Most achronim hold like S”A to light at Tzet Hakochavim including the Shaarei Knesset HaGedolah 672:1, Magan Avraham 672:1, Eliyah Raba 672:1, Maamer Mordechai 672:1, Chaye Adam 154:18, Derech HaChaim 672:2, Ben Ish Chai Vayeshev 7, Shulchan lechem Hapanim 672, and Kaf Hachaim 672:2.  
* Thus, Yalkut Yosef 672:1 writes that one should light at tzet hachochavim which is 15 minutes after sunset. [The time of 15 minutes is built off the Geonim's opinion that 13.5 minutes after sunset is Tzet Hakochavim unlike the tzet hachochavim of Rabbenu Tam, which is 72 minutes after sunset because [[Chanukah]] is only derabanan and one can rely on the Minhag Eretz Yisrael for derabanan mitzvoth (Sh”t Yabia Omer 2:21). Additionally, by not lighting until the Tzet Hakochavim of Rabbenu Tam will lead one to light after the latest time for which one doesn’t fulfill the mitzvah according to many poskim (Sefer [[Chanukah]] of Rav Kanievsky pg 13 note 8).] [http://www.halachayomit.co.il/EnglishDefault.asp?HalachaID=1695 Halacha yomit] writes that the time is exprapolated to each place based on 13.5 minutes Sha'ot Zmaniot.  
* Thus, Yalkut Yosef 672:1 writes that one should light at tzet hachochavim which is 15 minutes after sunset. [The time of 15 minutes is built off the Geonim's opinion that 13.5 minutes after sunset is Tzet Hakochavim unlike the tzet hachochavim of Rabbenu Tam, which is 72 minutes after sunset because [[Chanukah]] is only derabanan and one can rely on the Minhag Eretz Yisrael for derabanan mitzvoth (Sh”t Yabia Omer 2:21). Additionally, by not lighting until the Tzet Hakochavim of Rabbenu Tam will lead one to light after the latest time for which one doesn’t fulfill the mitzvah according to many poskim (Sefer [[Chanukah]] of Rav Kanievsky pg 13 note 8).] [http://www.halachayomit.co.il/EnglishDefault.asp?HalachaID=1695 Halacha yomit] writes that the time is extrapolated to each place based on 13.5 minutes Sha'ot Zmaniot.  
* However Pri Chadash 672 and Buir HaGra O”C 672:1 (see also Beiur HaGra O"C 261 and Y”D 266:17, and Maaseh Rav 235) hold that one should light at sunset. Mishna Brurah 672:1 quotes both the opinion of the S"A and Gra and then writes that if one davens at Tzet Hakochavim one may follow the opinion of the Gra even initially. See also Sh”t Az Nidabru 7:70. Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igrot Moshe O”C 4:101 and Rav Chaim Kanievsky in Yemeh [[Hallel]] VeHodah 12:8, say to light 10 minutes after sunset and have it last for a half hour before tzet hachovim and a half hour after tzet hachoavim. Torat HaMoadim 4:1 rules to light 15 minutes after [[shekiah]] [15 minutes is based on the geonim’s tzet hachochavim (3/4 [[mil]]) with the Rav Amram Goan’s lengh of a [[mil]] being 18 minutes, the fact that in the winter the [[shaot Zmaniot]] are shorter, and we add on a few minutes to be strict for Rabbi Yose’s opinion of Ben Hashemashot which only happens after Rabbi Yehuda’s finishes.]  
* However Pri Chadash 672 and Buir HaGra O”C 672:1 (see also Beiur HaGra O"C 261 and Y”D 266:17, and Maaseh Rav 235) hold that one should light at sunset. Mishna Brurah 672:1 quotes both the opinion of the S"A and Gra and then writes that if one davens at Tzet Hakochavim one may follow the opinion of the Gra even initially. See also Sh”t Az Nidabru 7:70. Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igrot Moshe O”C 4:101 and Rav Chaim Kanievsky in Yemeh [[Hallel]] VeHodah 12:8, say to light 10 minutes after sunset and have it last for a half hour before tzet hachovim and a half hour after tzet hachoavim. Torat HaMoadim 4:1 rules to light 15 minutes after [[shekiah]] [15 minutes is based on the geonim’s tzet hachochavim (3/4 [[mil]]) with the Rav Amram Goan’s lengh of a [[mil]] being 18 minutes, the fact that in the winter the [[shaot Zmaniot]] are shorter, and we add on a few minutes to be strict for Rabbi Yose’s opinion of Ben Hashemashot which only happens after Rabbi Yehuda’s finishes.]  
* Igrot Moshe 4:101:7 writes that one should light 10 minutes after sunset with enough oil to last an hour. Shemaytata DeMoshe 672 explains that Rav Moshe held that 10 minutes was sufficient time to be considered the Tzet Hakochavim of the Geonim and it is still within a half hour of sunset. Az Nidbaru 7:70 quotes Rav Aharon Kotler as having said that one should light 25 minutes after sunset. </ref>
* Igrot Moshe 4:101:7 writes that one should light 10 minutes after sunset with enough oil to last an hour. Shemaytata DeMoshe 672 explains that Rav Moshe held that 10 minutes was sufficient time to be considered the Tzet Hakochavim of the Geonim and it is still within a half hour of sunset. Az Nidbaru 7:70 quotes Rav Aharon Kotler as having said that one should light 25 minutes after sunset. </ref>
# In general, one should not earlier than [[Shekiyah]] or Tzet Hachochavim, depending on previous halacha, except on [[Friday afternoon of Chanuka]]. But if one is going to be unable to light that night and will miss the mitzvah totally, one should light after Plag HaMincha. Many poskim say that one may light with a bracha, while others say that one should light without a bracha. But it’s preferable to have someone light for you at the proper time rather than light early oneself. <ref> Torat HaMoadim 4:2 rules because many rishonim and achronim (brought below) hold that one doesn’t fulfill the mitzvah even after the fact if lit during the day, one should only light it if one thinks he’s going to miss the mitzvah entirely. Behag ([[Chanukah]] pg 25d), and Rambam ([[Chanukah]] 4:5) hold if one lights earlier one doesn’t fulfill the mitzvah. However on [[Shabbat]] 21b, Rashba, Ran, Ritva, Orchot Chaim ([[Chanukah]] 15) hold lighting too early fulfills the mitzvah after the fact. S”A 672:1 writes one can’t light earlier than Tzet and there’s an opinion that if one’s preoccupied he can light from plag hamincha. Seemingly this is a case of Stam-anonymous opinion and then Yesh Omrim- individual opinion for which we would hold like the anonymous opinion. So holds Kiseh Rachamim 63a, Siddur Bet Ovad 159b, Moed Kol Chai 27:26, Tefilah Ledavid, Pri Megadim M”Z 673:9. However some achronim hold still in Shat HaDachak one can light after Plag because the two opinions in S”A aren’t arguing but discuss the general case and then the case of someone preoccupied, and therefore one could light with a bracha. This is the opinion of the Levush, Bach, Sefer Yeraim 274, Shaarei Kneset HaGedolah 672:1, Pri Chadash, Chaye Adam 154:18, Pri Megadim A”A 672:1 and Mishna Brurah 672:3. </ref>
# In general, one should not light earlier than [[Shekiyah]] or Tzet Hakochavim, as stated in the previous halacha, except on Friday afternoon of [[Chanukah]] because once it becomes [[Shabbat]], it will be forbidden to light. But if on a weeknight one will be unable to light after [[Shekiyah]] or Tzet Hakochavim and will miss the mitzvah totally, he should light after Plag HaMincha. Many poskim say that one may light with a bracha in this case, while others say that one should light without a bracha.<ref> The Rambam ([[Chanukah]] 4:5) and Bahag ([[Chanuka]] p. 25b) hold that one does not fulfill one’s obligation if one lights [[Chanukah]] candles prior to sunset. The Rashba ([[Shabbat]] 21b), however, writes that after the fact, if one lit them before sunset, one still fulfills one’s obligation. This is also the opinion of the Ran, Ritva, and Orchot Chaim ([[Chanukah]] #15). The Mishna Brurah 672:3 (Shaar HaTziyun 672:5) explains that the Shulchan Aruch 672:1 rules like the Rashba and one may light before sunset with a bracha. This is also the opinion of the Pri Chadash 672:1 s.v. VeYesh Mi SheOmer and Chaye Adam 154:18. Kaf HaChaim 672:10 however, holds that one shouldn’t make a bracha in such a case. See also the Levush, Bach, Kiseh Rachamim 63a, Siddur Bet Ovad 159b, Moed Kol Chai 27:26, Tefilah Ledavid, Pri Megadim M”Z 673:9, Sefer Yeraim 274, Shaarei Kneset HaGedolah 672:1, and Pri Megadim A”A 672:1. </ref>
# If someone lit earlier than [[Shekiah]] after Plag Hamincha, should relight at the proper time of the mitzvah without a bracha. If one lit before Plag Hamincha should relight at the proper time with a bracha. <ref> Torat HaMoadim 4:3 writes that if one lit before [[Shekiyah]], one should relit at night because some Rishonim hold that one doesn't fulfill the mitzvah to light after Plag HaMincha (such as the Rambam and Bahag). However, he adds that one should relight without a bracha in deference to the opinions (Rashba, Ran, Ritva, and Orchot Chaim) who hold that one fulfills his mitzvah then. Torat HaMoadim concludes that if one lit before Plag Hamincha one should relight with a bracha because no one holds that one fulfill the mitzvah at that time. </ref>
# If someone lit earlier than [[Shekiah]] after Plag Hamincha, should relight at the proper time of the mitzvah without a bracha. If one lit before Plag Hamincha should relight at the proper time with a bracha. <ref> Torat HaMoadim 4:3 writes that if one lit before [[Shekiyah]], one should relit at night because some Rishonim hold that one doesn't fulfill the mitzvah to light after Plag HaMincha (such as the Rambam and Bahag). However, he adds that one should relight without a bracha in deference to the opinions (Rashba, Ran, Ritva, and Orchot Chaim) who hold that one fulfills his mitzvah then. Torat HaMoadim concludes that if one lit before Plag Hamincha one should relight with a bracha because no one holds that one fulfill the mitzvah at that time. </ref>
# A boy, who regularly lights at Shkiah, who is becoming [[Bar Mitzvah]] a night of [[Chanukah]], can light at Shkiah as usual. Some say to light at [[Tzet HaKochavim]] even if usually lights at Shkiah. <ref> Sefer [[Chanukah]] of Rav Kenievsky 13:16, Sh”t Teshuvot Vehanhagot 2:337 against Rav Vosner in Kovetz Mebet Levi kislev 5757 says not to light until Tzet. Mikrei Kodesh ([[Chanukah]] 11:3) leaves it as a question. </ref>
# A boy, who regularly lights at Shkiah, who is becoming [[Bar Mitzvah]] a night of [[Chanukah]], can light at Shkiah as usual. Some say to light at [[Tzet HaKochavim]] even if usually lights at Shkiah. <ref> Sefer [[Chanukah]] of Rav Kenievsky 13:16, Sh”t Teshuvot Vehanhagot 2:337 against Rav Vosner in Kovetz Mebet Levi kislev 5757 says not to light until Tzet. Mikrei Kodesh ([[Chanukah]] 11:3) leaves it as a question. </ref>
Line 33: Line 33:
# If one has an established [[minyan]] for [[Mariv]] very late, one can light earlier than [[Mariv]] at [[Tzet HaKochavim]]. <ref> Yeshuot Yacov 681:1, Sh”t Az Nidabru 9:47, Sh”t Teshuvot VeHanhagot 2:338, Mitzvah Ner Ish Ubeto (6 footnote 4), and Rav Elyashiv (quoted in Halichot Yosef p. 239) say that the reason of Tadir (and that [[Shema]] is Deoritta) only applies if the two mitzvot ([[mariv]] and [[Chanukah]] candles) are both available at the same time, but if one mitzvah is later, such as if one goes to a [[Maariv]] [[minyan]] later, one can light earlier at the appropriate time. See, however, Igrot Moshe 4:99(1) who seems to disagree with this point (See the [[Sefirat HaOmer#When to count Sefira]] page about this). </ref>
# If one has an established [[minyan]] for [[Mariv]] very late, one can light earlier than [[Mariv]] at [[Tzet HaKochavim]]. <ref> Yeshuot Yacov 681:1, Sh”t Az Nidabru 9:47, Sh”t Teshuvot VeHanhagot 2:338, Mitzvah Ner Ish Ubeto (6 footnote 4), and Rav Elyashiv (quoted in Halichot Yosef p. 239) say that the reason of Tadir (and that [[Shema]] is Deoritta) only applies if the two mitzvot ([[mariv]] and [[Chanukah]] candles) are both available at the same time, but if one mitzvah is later, such as if one goes to a [[Maariv]] [[minyan]] later, one can light earlier at the appropriate time. See, however, Igrot Moshe 4:99(1) who seems to disagree with this point (See the [[Sefirat HaOmer#When to count Sefira]] page about this). </ref>
==If one is in middle of something==
==If one is in middle of something==
# If a person is in the middle of a seder of learning, many poskim hold that one should wait until the end of the seder to light [[Chanukah]] candles. <Ref> Me’iri ([[Shabbat]] 21b) writes that in France, the minhag of the bnei yeshiva was to wait to light [[Chanukah]] candles until after they finished learning in the beit midrash. Rav Hershel Schachter (Halachipedia Article 5773 #9) quoted Rav Soloveitchik as having ruled that if someone is in middle of a seder of learning, such as the kollel’s afternoon seder, one should wait until the end of the seder in order to light [[Chanukah]] candles. Yalkut Yosef ([[Chanukah]] p. 80-1) quotes Rav Ovadia Yosef and Rav Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg to the same effect. See, however, Halichot Shlomo p. 296, where Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach is cited as ruling that kollel members should go home to light at the right time even at the expense of interrupting a seder. </ref>  
# If a person is in the middle of a [[seder]] of learning, many poskim hold that one should wait until the end of the [[seder]] to light [[Chanukah]] candles. <Ref> Me’iri ([[Shabbat]] 21b) writes that in France, the minhag of the bnei yeshiva was to wait to light [[Chanukah]] candles until after they finished learning in the beit midrash. Rav Hershel Schachter (Halachipedia Article 5773 #9) quoted Rav Soloveitchik as having ruled that if someone is in middle of a [[seder]] of learning, such as the kollel’s afternoon [[seder]], one should wait until the end of the [[seder]] in order to light [[Chanukah]] candles. Yalkut Yosef ([[Chanukah]] p. 80-1) quotes Rav Ovadia Yosef and Rav Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg to the same effect. See, however, Halichot Shlomo p. 296, where Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach is cited as ruling that kollel members should go home to light at the right time even at the expense of interrupting a [[seder]]. </ref>  
# If a person is in middle of a class one may wait until the end of the class in order to light [[Chanukah]] candles so that one will have time to sit by the candles. <Ref> Rav Hershel Schachter (Halachipedia Article 5773 #9) said that if one is in middle of a class, he need not leave in order to light. Rather, one should wait until afterwards so that he will be able to sit by the candles for a short while. </ref>
# If a person is in middle of a class one may wait until the end of the class in order to light [[Chanukah]] candles so that one will have time to sit by the candles. <Ref> Rav Hershel Schachter (Halachipedia Article 5773 #9) said that if one is in middle of a class, he need not leave in order to light. Rather, one should wait until afterwards so that he will be able to sit by the candles for a short while. </ref>