Placement of the Chanukah Candles: Difference between revisions
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Placement of the Chanukah Candles (view source)
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#Nowadays, one doesn’t have to light by a door on each side of the house because of a concern that passersby will say that he didn't light a Chanukia.<ref>Rama 671:8, Chazon Ovadia pg. 41, Torat HaMoadim 3:8<br /> | #Nowadays, one doesn’t have to light by a door on each side of the house because of a concern that passersby will say that he didn't light a Chanukia.<ref>Rama 671:8, Chazon Ovadia pg. 41, Torat HaMoadim 3:8<br /> | ||
*In [[Shabbat]] 23a, Rav Huna says that if you have two doors and only light by one of them, someone who passes by the second door will suspect you of not lighting. Therefore, because of suspicion he should light by both. Rava explains that this is only if the doors are on separate sides. The Ran there writes that since this lighting is only for marit ayin, one would not recite a beracha. This is also the opinion of Rambam ([[Chanukah]] 4:10), Tur and | *In [[Shabbat]] 23a, Rav Huna says that if you have two doors and only light by one of them, someone who passes by the second door will suspect you of not lighting. Therefore, because of suspicion he should light by both. Rava explains that this is only if the doors are on separate sides. The Ran there writes that since this lighting is only for marit ayin, one would not recite a beracha. This is also the opinion of Rambam ([[Chanukah]] 4:10), Tur and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 671:8. | ||
*However nowadays, since everyone lights indoors anyway, one doesn’t have to light because of suspicion. This is also the opinion of Sefer HaTruma 228, Smak 280, Orchot Chaim ([[Chanukah]] 13) in name of Rabbi Yehuda MeKorvin, Hagahot Maimon ([[Chanukah]] 4:30) in name of Rabbenu Simcha, Sh”t HaRashba 1:541, Ritva ([[Shabbat]] 23a), Meiri 23a | *However nowadays, since everyone lights indoors anyway, one doesn’t have to light because of suspicion. This is also the opinion of Sefer HaTruma 228, Smak 280, Orchot Chaim ([[Chanukah]] 13) in name of Rabbi Yehuda MeKorvin, Hagahot Maimon ([[Chanukah]] 4:30) in name of Rabbenu Simcha, Sh”t HaRashba 1:541, Ritva ([[Shabbat]] 23a), Meiri 23a s.v. "chatzer sheyesh la", Mordechai ([[Shabbat]] 2:266), Sefer HaMeorot ([[Shabbat]] 23a), Shibolei HaLeket 185, Ohel Moed ([[Chanukah]] 5, Rama 671:8, Sh”t Maharshal, Hagahot Maharikash, Pri [[Chadash]], Sh”t Bet David O”C 472, Chazon Ovadia pg. 41, Torat HaMoadim 3:8.</ref> | ||
#One must light in the place where the Chanukia is going to stay. Thus, one shouldn’t light indoors and then move the Chanukia outside or light it in one’s hand and then put it down. If one did so, one should extinguish the candles and relight without a bracha. <ref>Rava's opinion on [[Shabbat]] 22b is that one must light the [[Chanukah]] candles where the candles are going stay. Rambam ([[Chanukah]] 4:9), Tur and | #One must light in the place where the Chanukia is going to stay. Thus, one shouldn’t light indoors and then move the Chanukia outside or light it in one’s hand and then put it down. If one did so, one should extinguish the candles and relight without a bracha.<ref>Rava's opinion on [[Shabbat]] 22b is that one must light the [[Chanukah]] candles where the candles are going stay. Rambam ([[Chanukah]] 4:9), Tur and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 675:1 codify this as the halacha. Pri Chadash says one shouldn’t make a bracha if one needs to light again, against Hagahot Rabbi Akiva Eiger 675 who says to make a bracha. Torat HaMoadim 3:9 and Sh”t Hitorerut Teshuva 2:110 hold that because of Safek [[Brachot]] one shouldn’t make a bracha (in addition to the idea that perhaps one fulfills the mitzvah not it’s place if it’s recognizable that it’s lit for [[Chanukah]], Sh”t Lev Chaim 3:146). [Regarding reciting a bracha in cases where there is a double safek see Yechave Daat 5:21.] </ref> Consequently, a sick person should not light while in bed and then have the Chanukia moved but rather should let another household member light.<ref>Torat HaMoadim 3:9 quotes the ruling of a sick person from Sh”t Lev Chaim 3:146</ref> | ||
#Some say that if one is lighting in the window they should turn off the lights so that it is more noticeable outside.<ref>Or Letzion 2:42:5 p. 244 writes that if someone is lighting in the window they should turn off the electric lights so that those passing by can see it, however, on Friday night they should leave on the lights for their meal.</ref> | #Some say that if one is lighting in the window they should turn off the lights so that it is more noticeable outside.<ref>Or Letzion 2:42:5 p. 244 writes that if someone is lighting in the window they should turn off the electric lights so that those passing by can see it, however, on Friday night they should leave on the lights for their meal. [[Young_Israel_of_Woodmere_Hilchos_Chanuka|Rav Hershel Schachter (Young Israel of Woodmere Packet)]] agrees and applies it to any case one is lighting inside that one should turn off the lights.</ref> | ||
==Lighting Indoors or Outdoors== | ==Lighting Indoors or Outdoors== | ||
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*Rav Nissim Karlitz (Chut Sheni [[Chanukah]] pg 306-7) explains the position of the Chazon Ish as follows: nowadays one may not light in a courtyard since the courtyards aren’t used as part of the house as they were in the times of the Gemara. Rather one should light at one’s door unless people won't see it in which case one should light in the window facing the public domain. Yet, if the window is above 20 [[amot]] from the street it’s preferable to light at the entrance of one’s door towards the stairwell which is used by a few tenants instead of lighting one’s table. | *Rav Nissim Karlitz (Chut Sheni [[Chanukah]] pg 306-7) explains the position of the Chazon Ish as follows: nowadays one may not light in a courtyard since the courtyards aren’t used as part of the house as they were in the times of the Gemara. Rather one should light at one’s door unless people won't see it in which case one should light in the window facing the public domain. Yet, if the window is above 20 [[amot]] from the street it’s preferable to light at the entrance of one’s door towards the stairwell which is used by a few tenants instead of lighting one’s table. | ||
*Similarly, Torat HaMoadim (Rav Dovid Yosef, 2:2, pg 74-6) also rules that it's preferable not to light by the entrance of the stairwell because of the reasoning of the Chazon Ish and because nowadays it's not crucial to light outside. However, he contends that it's better to light by the window facing the public domain and if that's above 20 [[amot]], then one should light by the door of one's apartment. [Torat HaMoadim writes that this seems to be implied from the ruling of his father, Rav Ovadyah Yosef, in Kol Torah (5725 Kislev) (and Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 198)) that one who lives in an apartment building should light by the window unless it is above 20 [[amot]] from the street in which case one should light by the door inside. Torat HaMoadim 2:2 (pg 74-76) infers from this that Rav Ovadyah holds one shouldn't light by the entrance of the stairwell perhaps because of the Chazon Ish's reasoning.] Or Letzion v. 4 p. 243 agrees.</ref> Some say that if there are buildings facing the apartment then one may light in the window above 20 amot rather than light inside.<ref>Chazon Ovadia Chanuka p. 39 writes that one can light in the window even if it is more than 20 amot above the street level if there are buildings opposite it since they are able to see his candles. This is preferable to lighting by the door on the inside. See Torat Hamoadim 3:7 p. 87 who writes that a window above 20 amot from the street shouldn't be lit in rather one should just light by the door from the inside.</ref> | *Similarly, Torat HaMoadim (Rav Dovid Yosef, 2:2, pg 74-6) also rules that it's preferable not to light by the entrance of the stairwell because of the reasoning of the Chazon Ish and because nowadays it's not crucial to light outside. However, he contends that it's better to light by the window facing the public domain and if that's above 20 [[amot]], then one should light by the door of one's apartment. [Torat HaMoadim writes that this seems to be implied from the ruling of his father, Rav Ovadyah Yosef, in Kol Torah (5725 Kislev) (and Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 198)) that one who lives in an apartment building should light by the window unless it is above 20 [[amot]] from the street in which case one should light by the door inside. Torat HaMoadim 2:2 (pg 74-76) infers from this that Rav Ovadyah holds one shouldn't light by the entrance of the stairwell perhaps because of the Chazon Ish's reasoning.] Or Letzion v. 4 p. 243 agrees.</ref> Some say that if there are buildings facing the apartment then one may light in the window above 20 amot rather than light inside.<ref>Chazon Ovadia Chanuka p. 39 writes that one can light in the window even if it is more than 20 amot above the street level if there are buildings opposite it since they are able to see his candles. This is preferable to lighting by the door on the inside. See Torat Hamoadim 3:7 p. 87 who writes that a window above 20 amot from the street shouldn't be lit in rather one should just light by the door from the inside.</ref> | ||
===Office Buildings=== | |||
# One does not fulfill one's mitzvah of lighting Chanuka candles at one's office where one works.<Ref>Piskei Shemuot Chanuka p. 53 quotes Rav Elyashiv as holding that one can not fulfill one's obligation by lighting at one's office even if one spends all day there and eats there since that's not where one sleeps. [http://halachayomit.co.il/he/Default.aspx?HalachaID=4124 Halachayomit.co.il], Mayan Omer 3:7:24 p. 359 quoting Rav Ovadia Yosef, and Hilchot Chanuka Im Taamim Viyunim p. 43 agree not to light with a bracha at one's office if one doesn't sleep there.</ref> Some say that one can light at one's office without a bracha but still the primary lighting with a bracha is done at home.<ref>[https://www.srugim.co.il/401930-%D7%9E%D7%99-%D7%9E%D7%94-%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%94-%D7%9B%D7%9E%D7%94-%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%AA%D7%99-%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%9E%D7%A7%D7%99%D7%A3-%D7%95%D7%A7%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9C-%D7%A2%D7%9C-%D7%97%D7%A0%D7%95 Rav Shlomo Aviner] writes that one may only light chanuka candles at one's place of work without a bracha. See Birurei Minhagim Moadim (p. 175 by Rav Shabtai Yonah Friedman of Chabad) quotes some say that it is permissible to light Chanuka candles with a bracha at the place of one's work if one stays there all day and generally eats all one's meals there.</ref> | |||
#Someone at work and can't leave early to light on time can light when they get home.<ref>Yalkut Yosef (672:11, Chanuka 5773 edition) writes that someone working after the time for Chanuka candles should ask his wife to light for him at the right time if she's home. If she's not home or doesn't want to light without him, he can continue working and light when he gets home. </ref> Regarding having one's spouse light for him see [[Earliest_and_Latest_time_to_light_Chanukah_Candles#Coming_Home_Late_from_Work]]. | |||
===Windy place=== | ===Windy place=== | ||
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==Heights of Placement of Chanukia== | ==Heights of Placement of Chanukia== | ||
#The [[Chanukah]] candles should be placed between 3 and 10 [[tefachim]] (between 24 and 80 centimeters) from the ground. If they are placed above 10 [[Tefachim]], one fulfilled the obligation. <ref>Shabbat 21b the statement of Ravina that it’s a mitzvah (preferable) to place it below ten; Ran (9b s.v. Garsi) in name of Rabbenu Chananel and Rabbenu Yonah, Rashba ([[Shabbat]] 21b Amar Ravina), Rosh ([[Shabbat]] 2:5), Smag ([[Chanukah]] 250d), Smak (280, 277), Tur and S”A 671:6 hold like Ravina even though the gemara questions him. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:8 and Chazon Ovadia pg. 33 concur. Bet Yosef 671:6 says since the Rif and Rambam don’t mention this, it means you can place it anywhere, but to fulfill everyone’s opinion one should put it below 10. | #The [[Chanukah]] candles should be placed between 3 and 10 [[tefachim]] (between 24 and 80 centimeters) from the ground. If they are placed above 10 [[Tefachim]], one fulfilled the obligation.<ref>Shabbat 21b the statement of Ravina that it’s a mitzvah (preferable) to place it below ten; Ran (9b s.v. Garsi) in name of Rabbenu Chananel and Rabbenu Yonah, Rashba ([[Shabbat]] 21b Amar Ravina), Rosh ([[Shabbat]] 2:5), Smag ([[Chanukah]] 250d), Smak (280, 277), Tur and S”A 671:6 hold like Ravina even though the gemara questions him. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:8 and Chazon Ovadia pg. 33 concur. Bet Yosef 671:6 says since the Rif and Rambam don’t mention this, it means you can place it anywhere, but to fulfill everyone’s opinion one should put it below 10. | ||
*[http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=23994&st=&pgnum=229 Orchot Chaim (p. 117b n. 3)] and Kol Bo hold explicitly like Rambam and Rif that only after the fact can one light under 10. [Moreover, [[Seder]] Hayom and Gefen Poriah (Bava Kama 62b) say that one doesn’t fulfill his obligation if the candles were placed below 10. Yet, the [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=7949&st=&pgnum=245 Nemukei Orach Chaim 671:2] disputes such an opinion.] | *[http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=23994&st=&pgnum=229 Orchot Chaim (p. 117b n. 3)] and Kol Bo hold explicitly like Rambam and Rif that only after the fact can one light under 10. [Moreover, [[Seder]] Hayom and Gefen Poriah (Bava Kama 62b) say that one doesn’t fulfill his obligation if the candles were placed below 10. Yet, the [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=7949&st=&pgnum=245 Nemukei Orach Chaim 671:2] disputes such an opinion.] | ||
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*Tur 671:6 in the name of Maharam MeRotenberg holds that one should place it above 3 [[Tefachim]]. This is also the opinion of Mordechai [[Shabbat]] 266, S”A 671:6. Birkat Yosef Yedid 3 pg 207, Sh”t Kinyan Torah 1:131:2 imply from Orchot Chaim that under three [[Tefachim]] doesn’t fulfill the mitzvah. Yet, Pri [[Chadash]] 671, Pri Megadim A”A 671:6, Mishna Brurah 671:26, Kaf HaChaim 671:50, Chazon Ovadia pg. 33, Torat HaMoadim 3:5 all rule that if one lit below 3 tefachim he has still fulfilled his obligation.</ref> If one is lighting indoors, one should light by the window even if it is above 10 [[tefachim]], rather than light by the doorway on the inside.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 671:6, Mishna Brurah 671:27</ref> | *Tur 671:6 in the name of Maharam MeRotenberg holds that one should place it above 3 [[Tefachim]]. This is also the opinion of Mordechai [[Shabbat]] 266, S”A 671:6. Birkat Yosef Yedid 3 pg 207, Sh”t Kinyan Torah 1:131:2 imply from Orchot Chaim that under three [[Tefachim]] doesn’t fulfill the mitzvah. Yet, Pri [[Chadash]] 671, Pri Megadim A”A 671:6, Mishna Brurah 671:26, Kaf HaChaim 671:50, Chazon Ovadia pg. 33, Torat HaMoadim 3:5 all rule that if one lit below 3 tefachim he has still fulfilled his obligation.</ref> If one is lighting indoors, one should light by the window even if it is above 10 [[tefachim]], rather than light by the doorway on the inside.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 671:6, Mishna Brurah 671:27</ref> | ||
#One should be careful to light in a different place than one normally lights the rest of the year so that the fact that one is lighting specifically for [[Chanukah]] will be recognizable. <ref>Rama 671:7</ref> | #One should be careful to light in a different place than one normally lights the rest of the year so that the fact that one is lighting specifically for [[Chanukah]] will be recognizable. <ref>Rama 671:7</ref> | ||
#If it’s above 20 [[amot]] (9.6 meters) one doesn’t fulfill the obligation and should extinguish the candle and relight it in the proper height without a bracha. <ref>[[Shabbat]] 22a Rav says it can’t be above 20 [[amot]]. Tosfot ( | #If it’s above 20 [[amot]] (9.6 meters) one doesn’t fulfill the obligation and should extinguish the candle and relight it in the proper height without a bracha.<ref>[[Shabbat]] 22a Rav says it can’t be above 20 [[amot]]. Tosfot (s.v. Ner) says it can’t just be lowered since the mitzvah was already done incorrectly. Tur (671:6), Bach, Taz, Pri [[Chadash]], Mishna Brurah (Shaar Tziyun 671:33) say indoors it cannot be above 20 [[amot]] against the Rabbenu Yoel (Ravyah 843) and Rabbi Yitzchak Avuhav (quoted by the Bet Yosef). If one put it above 20 [[amot]], Pri [[Chadash]], Mishna Brurah 671:29 say to relight with a Bracha. Kaf Hachaim (671:53) limits the ruling of the Pri [[Chadash]] to only where one finished lighting and stopped thinking about it. However Chazon Ovadiah ([[Chanukah]] pg 35) and Torat HaMoadim 3:6 say to relight without a bracha because of the opinion of Rabbenu Yoel (Pri Megadim A”A 671:7), [and Hareri Kodesh who says that perhaps according to Meiri and Shiltot one should repeat Sh’assa Nissim]. </ref> | ||
#Similarly someone who lives an upper floor apartment, should light by the door of the apartment | #Similarly someone who lives an upper floor apartment, should light by the door of the apartment<ref>Ritva ([[Shabbat]] 21b s.v. VeIm Dar) says someone living in an upper floor should light by the window that’s above 20 [[amot]]. However, Pri [[Chadash]] 671:6, Pri Megadim A”A 671:8, and Machsit HaShekel 671:6 say to light it by the door of the apartment. Thus, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 139:8 rules that if one's window is more than 20 [[amot]] above the ground level of the street outside, one shouldn't light by the window, but rather by the house door. </ref> and if they want they can light at the window even if it’s above 20 [[amot]].<ref>[[Young_Israel_of_Woodmere_Hilchos_Chanuka|Rav Hershel Schachter (Young Israel of Woodmere Packet)]] holds that one should light in the window either because of buildings across the way or because it is somewhat visible to the street. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Halichot Shlomo 14:5 agrees because of the Ritva (Shabbat 21b s.v. v'im) and Pri Megadim (E"A 671:8) above. Chazon Ovadiah ([[Chanukah]] pg 36) says that one living in an apartment on the fifth floor (just an example) should light inside his house by the door and if he wants he can light by the window that’s above 20 [[amot]] as it’s Pirsume Nisa for the household members and to those on the street according Rabbenu Yoel and for others in a building across the street at the same height (similar to Kol Bo [[Chanukah]] pg 99). </ref> Some have the custom to light by the apartment building entrance.<ref>Halichot Shlomo 14:5. See [[#Apartment_Building]] for discussion.</ref> | ||
#The [[measurements]] are measured to the flame of the candle. <ref>Mishna Brurah (Shaar Tziyun 671:33), Chazon Ovadyah ([[Chanukah]] p. 36) say to measure from the flame of the candle like the Pri Megadim (M”Z 671:5) [However Leket Yosher ([[Chanukah]] pg 150) writes in name of a student of the Trumat HaDeshen that just the bottom has to be within 10 [[Tefachim]].] </ref> | #The [[measurements]] are measured to the flame of the candle.<ref>Mishna Brurah (Shaar Tziyun 671:33), Chazon Ovadyah ([[Chanukah]] p. 36) say to measure from the flame of the candle like the Pri Megadim (M”Z 671:5) [However Leket Yosher ([[Chanukah]] pg 150) writes in name of a student of the Trumat HaDeshen that just the bottom has to be within 10 [[Tefachim]].] </ref> | ||
#If one is lighting in a window, preferably the candles should be within 10 [[Tefachim]] from the floor, however, there’s no issue of lighting in the window above 10 [[Tefachim]]. <ref>Mishna Brurah 671:27, Piskei Teshuvot 671:8, Chazon Ovadia pg. 36 </ref> | #If one is lighting in a window, preferably the candles should be within 10 [[Tefachim]] from the floor, however, there’s no issue of lighting in the window above 10 [[Tefachim]]. <ref>Mishna Brurah 671:27, Piskei Teshuvot 671:8, Chazon Ovadia pg. 36 </ref> | ||
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#Some say that regarding this law one can follow the more lenient of the two [[measurements]]. <ref>Piskei Teshuvot 671:7 </ref> | #Some say that regarding this law one can follow the more lenient of the two [[measurements]].<ref>Piskei Teshuvot 671:7 </ref> | ||
==Related Pages== | ==Related Pages== | ||
