24 Nov CHANUKAH LIGHTING IN PUBLIC PLACES

Chanukah
Lighting in
Public Places
Chanukah lights
are kindled in
most shuls.
This has also expanded to public
Chanukah lightings in many
cities throughout the world.
There is also a large Chanukah lighting in the White House, attended by
many officials.
In addition, people light candles at
Chanukah parties in halls and at weddings. In this issue we will discuss
why there is a custom to light in shul
and the halachos related to that practice, and then discuss public lightings.
Is there a source for it, and should a
berachah be recited?
The Origin
At the time of the miracle of Chanukah, there was no widespread custom to light the menorah, even in the
home. ChanukahIt was established as
days of joy and happiness, and candles were only lit in the Beais Hamikdaosh in front of the public. When the
Jews were exiled they enacted to light
candles outside. Eventually, people lit
inside because of danger. It was instituted to light in shul, which is comparable to the lighting in the Beais
Hamikdaosh.
Source – Chanukah Lighting in
shul
The requirement to light Chanukah
candles is limited to the home. If one
does not have a home there is no obligation to light. However, there is still
a custom to light in shul, which is no
one’s home.
The custom to light Chanukah lights
in shul is not mentioned in the Gemaorah, although it is mentioned by Rishonim, and many follow this custom.
This also applies to a Babeis Memidrash designated for learning.
Reasons
There are a number of reasons given
as to why we light Chanukah lights in
shul.
1. It is for guests who do not have a
home, just as Kiddush in shul on Friday night was enacted for guests.
2. It is in order to publicize the
miracle of Chanukah, known as pirsumei nisah. The Gra compares it to the
recital of Hallel at the Pesach sSeder,
which serves to publicize the miracle.
3. The candles are lit in shul in
order to exempt those who lack the
knowledge or motivation to light
candles on their own. Some question
this reasoning; why should we light
for those not motivated? Guests can
contribute to the lighting of the homeowner, and those who do not have a
place to stay are exempt. In addition,
perhaps that is what Chanukah is all
about, to bring people closer to Judaism with the lighting.
4. Another reason given is a remembrance for the Beais Hamikdoash. A
shul is like a small Beais Hamikdaosh, so we light Chanukuah candles
there as a remembrance of the lighting in the Beais Hamikdaosh.
5. The Rivash maintains that we
light in shul because in our homes
we light indoors (outside of Eretz
Yisraoel), which limits the extent of
publicizing the miracle. Therefore,
we light in shul to make up for this
lack.
It seems that most poskim assume
that the reason for the custom is to
publicize the miracle.
Refrain
Others say since we light in our
homes there is no need to have lights
in shul. However, this is not the overwhelming custom.
Some have the custom not recite a berachah on the lighting in shul in Eretz
Yisraoel. Since the custom there is to
place the Chanukah menorah outside,
this obviates one of the main reasons
for lighting in shul.
It is questionable if one should light in
a hotel that is rented out for Chanukah
and has a room reserved for davening.
Berachah and Questions
Many poskim debate whether or not
to recite a berachah on lighting in
shul. Some question how we can we
make a berachah if it is not mentioned
in the Gemaorah (see above).
Some argue that no berachah is recited on a custom, such as the custom of
aravos on Hoshanah Rabbah.
One response is that candle lighting in shul is like Hallel on Rosh
Chodesh which is a custom, and the
Ashkenazim still recite a berachah on
it. However, the Sephfardim do not
recite a berachah on hHallel on Rosh
Chodesh but still recite a berachah on
Chanukah lighting. This is especially
odd since the Shulchan Aruch himself
rules that no berachah is recited on
Hallel of Rosh Chodesh and a berachah is recited in shul on Chanukah.
One answer is that lighting in shul is
not a separate custom, but rather an
extension of the main mitzvah. This
logic also applies to the berachah on
Hallel of Rosh Chodesh, since reciting Hallel is generally done for mitzvah purposes. This also explains how
we say “v’tzivanu,” since we were
commanded to perform the main
mitzvah.
Others argue that the custom of Chanukah lighting in shul is different
since it serves to publicize the miracle, as opposed to other customs.
As mentioned above, the Gra compares the berachah in shul to the berachah recited for Hallel in shul on the
first two nights of Pesach. The same
answer above regarding Hallel on
Rosh Chodesh would apply to Hallel
on Pesach night in shul.
The consensus is to recite a berachah.
When to Light
The custom is to light the Chanukah
menorah in shul between mMinchah
and mMa’ariv. This is when everyone is present, and if we would wait
until after mMa’ariv people would
be delayed in getting home to light.
Another reason is that since the menorah in the Beais Hamikdaosh was
lit before sunset, we light then as
well. The menorah was lit in the Beais
Hamikdaosh after the korbaon shel
ben ha’arbayim which corresponds to
mMinchah. Therefore, we light after
mMinchah.
This applies even if one’s custom is to
light at home after dark.
Another reason is that the crowd
is considered a tzibbur when they
gather to daven in shul. However, after mMa’ariv when they are leaving
they do not have a status of a tzibbur.
Based on this, if people stay between
mMinchah and mMa’ariv the menorah should be litn one should light
then. However, if people leave after
and then return later for mMa’ariv,
the Chanukah menorah should be lit
before mMa’ariv.
One only lights at the first minyan and
not at subsequent minyanim.
By Day
The practice exists to light the Chanukah lights in shul by day as well.
None of the main sources mention
this custom, and the reasons offered
above only apply to night, not the
morning. Some suggest that this is in
remembrance of the mMenorah in the
Beais Hamikdaosh, which was lit by
day. Others argue that this publicizes
the miracle, as the light does not serve
any practical purpose other than the
mitzvah.
Another reason offered for lighting
by day is that at night one generally
does not have the candles lit for more
than a half hour (see below). To make
up for this, we relight candles in the
morning.
In any case the custom is that no berachah is recited in the morning.
Erev Shabbos
On Erev Shabbos, one should make
sure to light the Chanukah menorah
in shul after everyone has arrived and
davened mMinchah. However, the
custom is that there is no need to wait
for a minyan to light, since people
will eventually come. Therefore, we
light before mMinchah, especially if
it is late. There is no concern of lighting for Shabbos followed by a weekday davening, as the lighting simply
serves to publicize the miracle to the
masses. Nonetheless, this should be
avoided if possible.
The above discussion is based on the
opinion that a minyan is not required
for the lighting. Those who do require
a minyan would not allow the early
lighting if no minyan is present.
Minyan Convenes Only on Shabbos
Even if a shul is only open for Shabbos davening the candles are lit there
on Friday.
Motza’ei Shabbos
On Motza’ei Shabbos one should
make sure to have the Chanukah menorah lit before everyone leaves the
shul (before hHavdalah, if hHavdalah
is made in shul). The custom is to
light it before reciting OAleinu. Some
question what benefit it is to light on
Motza’ei Shabbos since everyone
leaves after mMa’ariv. However,
since people can come back to shul
when they want and see the candles,
it is publicizing the miracle.
Where to Place It
There are differing opinions as to
where to place the menorah in shul.
Some maintain to place it in the south since that is
where the mMenorah was in the
Beais Hamikdaosh. It can
be placed on a
table near the
southern wall.
The custom is to
place the menorah to the right
of the aron kodesh, and the candles
are arranged from east to west.
The one who is lighting should have
his back to the south and face to the
north.
Some question why we don’t light the
Chanukah candles either outside or
at least inside near the window.? The
answer is that the custom originated
from the fact that we used to light
outside but then started to light inside due to some external factors. The
lighting is for the people inside, and
the same concept applies to the shul.
Being Yotzei Your Lighting
Although the custom is to light Chanukah candles in shul, one may not
exempt histheir obligation to light at
home with this lighting. One reason
is that the candles in shul are lit before the correct time. Some suggest
that the congregants have in mind
not to fulfill the obligation of lighting
candles. The one who lights in shul
can recite sShehecheiyanu at home as
well if he lights at home to exempt his
household.
Who Lights
The custom is that the shliach tzibburatz lights at least one light on the menorah. If an avel davens mMinchah
on Erev Chanukah then someone else
should light since a sShehecheiyanu
is recited. However, an avel can light
on the other nights when there is no
Shehecheiyanu recited.
Some question why a guest does not
light since one of the reasons for
lighting in shul is for guests. In addition, since one of the reasons for
lighting is as a remembrance to the
Beais Hamikdaosh, why doesn’t a
Kkohen light?
Regardless, the custom seems that
the shatz lights the menorah, or in
some cases the Rrav. Some maintain
that the shatz lights, since he serves
in place of the Kkohen who offered
korbanos.
During the lighting, the congregants
should stand next to the menorah.
Oil vs. Candles
The custom in most places is to use
candles for lighting the menorah in
shul.
Minyan
The poskim mention that a minyan
should be present when lighting the
Chanukah menorah in shul. This is
usually not an issue during the week
since we light between mMinchah
and mMa’ariv. Those present do not
have to actually be davening to be
counted towards the ten people.
Women and children can count towards the minyan in relation to this.
The custom seems to be that we are
not concerned about lighting only
with a minyan.
How Long Does iIt Have to Last
The reality is that the menorah is
lit in shul between mMinchah and
mMa’ariv and then people leave. The
question arises how long the lights
should stay lit since it is not safe to
leave the menorah unattended.
The candles should last for a half
hour, and if there is a safety concern
then one may extinguish them after a
half hour. Some base this on the reason that the candles are lit for guests
who do not light; therefore, they must
burn for a half hour. Some suggest
that the lights stay lit until the last
minyan for mMa’ariv has left, although this is not practiced.
However, the custom is that the
candles can be extinguished after
mMa’ariv since the main reason
for lighting in shul is to publicize
the miracle for those present. In a
shtieibel where the Rrav lives upstairs it usually is not extinguished
since someone is around to check
on the candles.
Shtieibel
It is common for a shtieibel to
have many different rooms where
minyanim take place. Some opine
that every room which has an aron
kodesh should make sure to have
Chanukah lights lit. However, the
custom is that only the main shul
has the Chanukah lights lit.
Electric Lights
One does not fulfill his obligation
with electric lights. Therefore, one
should use regular lights in shul (oil
or wax).
Family Parties
Many families attend Chanukah
parties in a hall. Although some
have the practice to recite a berachah on this lighting, it is frowned
upon since the custom to light in
shul was because it is a shul. This
is particularly true according to the
reasons that it is a remembrance of
the Beais Hamikdaosh, and that it is
like a Kiddush in shul.
The same concern is true for weddings.
Those who do recite a berachah at
these parties follow the minority opinion that this is an act of publicizing
the mitzvah as well, since many times
people who come to these parties who
are not familiar with the mitzvah per
se and this is a chance to publicize the
mitzvah. Nonetheless, it is preferable
to daven mMa’ariv after the lighting
at the party so it has a status of a quasi
shul at least. Some permit it even if
one does not daven there. Some maintain that even with davening no berachah should be recited.
Public Lightings
It has become popular to stage public
menorah lightings during Chanukah.
This is mainly practiced by Chabad.
Many question doing this with a berachah since a berachah was only
customarily said in a shul setting for
reasons mentioned above. Even according to the Rivash that lighting in
shul publicizes the miracle, we would
not recite a berachah, as the shul lighting is supposed to replace the outside
lighting.
Perhaps the reason to motivate people
would be a good reason for the public
lightings (but this would not suffice
for making a berachah at parties).
Those poskim who do not allow a berachah at a party would not allow it at
a public lighting either.
Some explain that one can recite a berachah while lighting in a public area
where thousands are present.
Chabad shluchim, who lights in hundreds of locations, usually light with
oil and then exchange it for an electric
bulb with a candle to bulb converter.
Kosel
Lighting a Chanukah menorah at the
Kosel with a berachah is legitimate,
since it is a place where davening is
held.
Minyan at Work
If one has a daily minyan for
mMinchah and mMa’ariv at work he
can light candles there as well, since
it has a status of a set minyan even if
it is not a shul.