Placement of the Chanukah Candles: Difference between revisions

#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.  

#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 (D”H 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 and if they want they can light at the window even if it’s above 20 [[amot]]. Some have the custom to light by the apartment building entrance. <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. 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). The custom of lighting by the apartment entrance is sourced in halacha 17. </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>

#Some say that regarding this law one can follow the more lenient of the two [[measurements]]. <ref>Piskei Teshuvot 671:7 </ref>