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

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* 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 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>
# 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, he 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>


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* See also the Magan Avraham quotes Maharshal who says to make a bracha only up to [[Chatzot]]. The Gra (Maaseh Rav 236) agrees with the Maharshal.  
* See also the Magan Avraham quotes Maharshal who says to make a bracha only up to [[Chatzot]]. The Gra (Maaseh Rav 236) agrees with the Maharshal.  
* The Rif (9b), Rambam ([[Chanuka]] 4:5), and Rosh (2:3) all write that the time that people leave the marketplace is one half-hour after the time for lighting begins. Tur and S”A 672:2 codify this as halacha. However, the Ritva 21b s.v. Ad points out that this amount of time is not an objective time period, but rather is dependent on the time and place. Therefore, Rabbi Mordechai Willig (Hilchos [[Chanukah]] and [[Purim]] #1, min 19-20) rules that although the minhag of some yeshivot is to light about 20 minutes after sunset (see note 1), one may light as long as people are walking in the streets, which in a yeshiva could be very late indeed. </ref>
* The Rif (9b), Rambam ([[Chanuka]] 4:5), and Rosh (2:3) all write that the time that people leave the marketplace is one half-hour after the time for lighting begins. Tur and S”A 672:2 codify this as halacha. However, the Ritva 21b s.v. Ad points out that this amount of time is not an objective time period, but rather is dependent on the time and place. Therefore, Rabbi Mordechai Willig (Hilchos [[Chanukah]] and [[Purim]] #1, min 19-20) rules that although the minhag of some yeshivot is to light about 20 minutes after sunset (see note 1), one may light as long as people are walking in the streets, which in a yeshiva could be very late indeed. </ref>
# Someone who came home right before [[Olot HaShachar]] can light with a bracha even though it won’t be lit for 30 minutes during the night. Some say one should light without a bracha if there’s not 30 minutes for the candle to be light at night. <ref> Sh”t [[Shevet Halevi]] 8:156 writes that one can light with a bracha even if there’s not 30 minutes for the candles to burn before Olot Hashachar. He proves this from the simple language of S”A, Magan Avraham and Mishna Brurah (and all other poskim) that one can light all night until [[Olot HaShachar]]. So writes Sh”t Rivovot Efraim 5:582 in name of Sh”t Shem MeShimon 3 pg 120. Chazon Ovadiah ([[Chanukah]] pg 67) seems to agree because he quotes the Shevet HaLevi and no one who argues. Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 672:2. However, Rav Elyashiv in Sefer [[Chanukah]] 13:13 and Torat HaYoledet 54:7 say not to light with a bracha unless there’s 30 minutes before [[Olot HaShachar]]. </ref>
# Someone who came home right before [[Olot HaShachar]] can light with a bracha even though it won’t be lit for 30 minutes during the night. Some say one should light without a bracha if there’s not 30 minutes for the candle to be light at night. <ref> Sh”t [[Shevet Halevi]] 8:156 writes that one can light with a bracha even if there’s not 30 minutes for the candles to burn before [[Olot Hashachar]]. He proves this from the simple language of S”A, Magan Avraham and Mishna Brurah (and all other poskim) that one can light all night until [[Olot HaShachar]]. So writes Sh”t Rivovot Efraim 5:582 in name of Sh”t Shem MeShimon 3 pg 120. Chazon Ovadiah ([[Chanukah]] pg 67) seems to agree because he quotes the Shevet HaLevi and no one who argues. Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 672:2. However, Rav Elyashiv in Sefer [[Chanukah]] 13:13 and Torat HaYoledet 54:7 say not to light with a bracha unless there’s 30 minutes before [[Olot HaShachar]]. </ref>
# One should wait for his wife because of Shalom Bayit even if that means missing lighting precisely at the time for lighting. <ref> Emet LeYacov 677 in the footnote, Kovetz MeBet Levi kislev 5757. </ref>
# One should wait for his wife because of Shalom Bayit even if that means missing lighting precisely at the time for lighting. <ref> Emet LeYacov 677 in the footnote, Kovetz MeBet Levi kislev 5757. </ref>
# One who didn’t light at night (before [[Olot HaShachar]]) can’t light during the day, but if one wants, one can light without a bracha. <ref> S”A 672:2. Siddur Rashi 116 pg 151 (quoting Teshuvat Rabbenu Yitzchak Bar Yehuda) says if one didn’t light during the night one can’t light during the day. So quotes Sh”t Maaseh Goenim 55 pg 43, Teshuvat Rashi 52, Machsor Vitri 237 pg 201, Sh”t Maharam MeRotenberg 634, Pardes HaGadol 199, Tur 672, Shibolei HaLeket 185, and Roke’ach 226. Ravyah 3:843 in name of Rabbenu Tam says one can light in the day if one didn’t light at night. Sh”t Hitorerut [[Teshuva]] 1:119 writes that since we light nowadays indoors one should light as long as the candle gives off light (before [[HaNetz]], when the sun’s light overwhelms the candles light). However, Rav Ovadyah in Kol Sinai (kislev 5725) and Torat HaMoadim 4:5 argue that even though one should light to satisfy all opinions one isn’t allowed to make a bracha. </ref>
# One who didn’t light at night (before [[Olot HaShachar]]) can’t light during the day, but if one wants, one can light without a bracha. <ref> S”A 672:2. Siddur Rashi 116 pg 151 (quoting Teshuvat Rabbenu Yitzchak Bar Yehuda) says if one didn’t light during the night one can’t light during the day. So quotes Sh”t Maaseh Goenim 55 pg 43, Teshuvat Rashi 52, Machsor Vitri 237 pg 201, Sh”t Maharam MeRotenberg 634, Pardes HaGadol 199, Tur 672, Shibolei HaLeket 185, and Roke’ach 226. Ravyah 3:843 in name of Rabbenu Tam says one can light in the day if one didn’t light at night. Sh”t Hitorerut [[Teshuva]] 1:119 writes that since we light nowadays indoors one should light as long as the candle gives off light (before [[HaNetz]], when the sun’s light overwhelms the candles light). However, Rav Ovadyah in Kol Sinai (kislev 5725) and Torat HaMoadim 4:5 argue that even though one should light to satisfy all opinions one isn’t allowed to make a bracha. </ref>
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# Sephardim have the Minhag to pray [[Mariv]] at Shkiah and to light individually at Tzet. So too, if the [[minyan]] prays at Tzet they should pray and then light individually unless there’s a concern that they won’t be able to light before ‘Tichle Regel’, in which case each individual should light before praying. One should set up the chanukia and candles before Tzet so that after [[Mariv]] one can light right away.  <ref> Torat HaMoadim 4:8 and Kaf Hachaim 672:5 say that because of Tadir we pray and then light. Chida in Machzik Bracha 672:3, Sh”t Mahari Halevi 1:182, says if there’s a concern of missing ‘Tichle Regel’ one could light first. One should set it up beforehand as per Mishna Brurah 672:1 and Kaf Hachaim 672:6. </ref>
# Sephardim have the Minhag to pray [[Mariv]] at Shkiah and to light individually at Tzet. So too, if the [[minyan]] prays at Tzet they should pray and then light individually unless there’s a concern that they won’t be able to light before ‘Tichle Regel’, in which case each individual should light before praying. One should set up the chanukia and candles before Tzet so that after [[Mariv]] one can light right away.  <ref> Torat HaMoadim 4:8 and Kaf Hachaim 672:5 say that because of Tadir we pray and then light. Chida in Machzik Bracha 672:3, Sh”t Mahari Halevi 1:182, says if there’s a concern of missing ‘Tichle Regel’ one could light first. One should set it up beforehand as per Mishna Brurah 672:1 and Kaf Hachaim 672:6. </ref>
# Ashkenzim who have the Minhag to pray at Tzet, should light at Shkiah before praying [[Mariv]] at Tzet. If Tzet came and one didn’t light he should first pray and then light. However some have the Minhag to always light after praying [[Mariv]]. One should set up the chanukia and candles before Tzet so that after [[Mariv]] one can light right away. <ref> Mishna Brurah 672:1 in name of Mor Ukesiah and the Minhag of the Gra to light before they prayed at Tzet, if one didn’t light until Tzet one prays first because of Tadir and that [[Shema]] is Deoritta. He also records the practice of some who would always light after [[Mariv]]. Torat HaMoadim 4:8 agrees. One should set it up beforehand as per Mishna Brurah 672:1 and Kaf Hachaim 672:6. </ref>
# Ashkenzim who have the Minhag to pray at Tzet, should light at Shkiah before praying [[Mariv]] at Tzet. If Tzet came and one didn’t light he should first pray and then light. However some have the Minhag to always light after praying [[Mariv]]. One should set up the chanukia and candles before Tzet so that after [[Mariv]] one can light right away. <ref> Mishna Brurah 672:1 in name of Mor Ukesiah and the Minhag of the Gra to light before they prayed at Tzet, if one didn’t light until Tzet one prays first because of Tadir and that [[Shema]] is Deoritta. He also records the practice of some who would always light after [[Mariv]]. Torat HaMoadim 4:8 agrees. One should set it up beforehand as per Mishna Brurah 672:1 and Kaf Hachaim 672:6. </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 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>