Hanukah FAQs

Rabbi Hayim Asher Arking

Rabbi Ezra Ghodsi

 

The mitsvah of lighting the menorah is an extremely beloved mitsvah (Rambam). All mitsvot have a standard way of performance and an enhanced, more meticulous approach. By the strict letter of the law, one can fulfill the obligation by lighting only one candle each night. However, Hanukah is so beloved that it has been unanimously accepted to perform the mitsvah in a superior manner: starting with a single candle on the first night and adding one each subsequent night, culminating in eight lights on the final evening. We hope this guide will enhance your observance of this beloved mitsvah.

 

Who lights?

Who is required to light?

Both men and women are obligated in the mitsvah of lighting. Although it is a time-bound commandment, from which women are generally exempt, they are included in this mitsvah because they were also saved from the Greeks, and they played a key role when Yehudit killed an important general.

Unlike other mitsvot, such as eating matzah or shaking lulav, that must be performed by each person individually, for lighting, any adult (over bar/bat mitsvah age) member of the household may light the menorah on behalf of the entire family.

Children under bar/bat mitsvah age may light the subsequent candles after the first is lit by an adult, provided they have reached the age of hinuch (i.e., they understand how to perform the mitsvah).^[1]

I have a child studying out of town in school, is he required to light himself?

Children who are supported by their parents and view their parents’ house as their home are still considered part of the household. Even if they are temporarily not living in the house, they can fulfill their obligation with their parents’ lighting.

The question becomes more complicated if the child is in a different time zone. For example, if the child is in Israel and the parents are lighting at home in America. At the time of lighting in Israel, it is not time to light in America, and when it becomes nightfall in America it is past the time for lighting in Israel. Therefore, it is preferable for the student to light himself, and according to some opinions even with a beracha. If the child is in a later time zone, for example, their parents’ home is in New York and the child is currently in California, then according to all opinions, a beracha is not recited.^[2]

What should I do if I am a guest?

One may fulfill his obligation with his host. The guest should participate in the mitsvah by acquiring partial ownership of the oil and wicks.^[3] For close family members visiting and sleeping over, we can assume the host gives them partial ownership, just as he allows them to eat and drink in his house without payment. Concerning other guests, it is preferable for the host to verbalize that he is giving the guest acquisition as a partial owner in the oil, wicks, etc.^[4]

 

Setting up the menorah

Should I use candles or oil?

The miracle occurred through the flask of oil lasting eight days. Therefore, the preferred manner of performing this mitsvah is with olive oil; otherwise, candles are acceptable.^[5] There should be enough oil, or the candles should be big enough, that the flame will stay lit for at least a half hour.

Every Friday night while reading Bameh Madlikin, we recite a list of wicks and oils unsuitable for Shabbat candles. Some are not suitable because they do not burn well, thereby causing the flame to flicker; others are not suitable because of their odor. Being that the objective of Shabbat candles is to enjoy and benefit from their light, we are concerned one may mistakenly adjust or tilt the flickering candle for it to light better, or he might leave the room if there is an unpleasant odor. These wicks and oils may be used for Hanukah candles as they are not for our personal use. Even if they do not light well, we are not concerned that one may adjust the candles.^[6]

Where do I light?

Originally, the lighting was done outside, by the entrance to the courtyard or home, as a public display of the miracles Hashem has done for us. Nowadays, since we are in exile among other nations, it is recommended in most places to light inside so as not to annoy our gentile neighbors. Although when lit inside, the menorah is primarily meant to be seen by those inside the home, we light the menorah by the window so that it is also visible to passersby.^[7]

How high should I place my menorah?

The menorah should be placed at a height where the flames of the candles are above 3 tefahim (approximately 9.6 inches), and preferably below 10 tefahim (approximately 32 inches). If the menorah would only be visible to passersby outside if placed on a higher window ledge, or if there are young children around, there is no problem placing the menorah higher than 10 tefahim.^[8]

Which side of the menorah do we start lighting from?

On the first night, we light the rightmost candle in front of the one lighting. On the second night, a second candle will be added on the immediate left of the first candle. Every added candle on the subsequent nights is placed in the next left slot. The lighting will always begin with the newly added candle (increasingly left) so that when you actually light, your direction will bring you to move your hand toward the right. We perform the lighting in a rightward direction similar to the Avodah, service in the Bet Hamikdash, where the Kohen was positioned in a way that he would turn to the right during the Avodah.^[9]

What if we are in a hotel?

If one is in a hotel during Hanukah and has dependent family members lighting on behalf of the household at home, then he is not obligated to light where he is.^[10] If there are no Jews around and no menorah in sight then he should light where he is, provided that it is safe to do so.^[11] However, if the entire family is going away then it may pose a serious challenge in how to perform this beloved mitsvah. It should be explored (before booking!) if a menorah can be set up where they are staying. If there is no option to light in the room, one should light without a beracha in the dining area, either indoor or outdoor, where one will be eating.^[12] If this is not feasible, then lighting an electric menorah, with an incandescent light bulb, can be done without a beracha.^[13]

 

The time to light

When is the preferred time to light the menorah?

The preferred time to light is twenty minutes after sunset (approximately 4:50 PM in the NY/NJ area). If one is unable to light at this time, he should strive to light as early as possible; preferably within a half hour of this time, or at least when there are still passersby outside.^[14]

When is the latest time to light the menorah?

If one is unable to light while there are still passersby outside, he can still light as long as it is still nighttime. One should endeavor to have at least one other family member awake, so that the berachot can be recited according to all opinions.^[15]

Can I attend a Hanukah party before I light?

From a half hour before the time of a mitsvah, such as tefillah, keriat shema, and lighting the Hanukah candles, one may not eat more than a k’beitsah (approximately 54 grams) of bread or mezonot. If necessary, one can either appoint someone (who is not eating) to remind him after the party to light, or if that's not an option, to at least set an alarm for when he expects to be home, so he doesn't forget to light.

More than a k’beitsah of other foods, like rice, chicken, or fruits, may be eaten.^[16] However, one who is at home should pause his meal at the time of lighting so he can light at the preferred time.

So, how do I get to the Hanukah party on time?

Ideally, one should light quickly at home at the preferred time and then go. The menorah will have to stay lit for a half hour; after this time, it is permitted to extinguish the lights.^[17] If this is not feasible, one can light the menorah when arriving home (as long as it is before dawn!). In this case, since he is eating at the party, he will need to prepare a reminder, so he doesn’t forget to light when he comes home.

One does not fulfill his mitsvah with the candles lit at a family Hanukah party unless he is sleeping there overnight (or according to some, if he was sleeping there already from the night before, even though he will be leaving that evening).^[18]

When do we light on Erev Shabbat?

Being that we can’t light on Shabbat, we light as close as possible to the start of Shabbat, which is a few minutes before candle lighting. Since we are lighting early, one should ensure there is enough oil or the candles are big enough that they will stay lit until at least a half hour after nightfall.

When lighting, we first light the menorah and then light the Shabbat candles. If Shabbat candles were lit first, the husband may still light the menorah after the wife has lit the Shabbat candles; but if the woman is the one lighting the menorah, if she is allowed to light the menorah will depend on whether her custom is to accept Shabbat with the lighting of the candles or not.^[19]

What if my candles went out?

Once the flame takes hold of the wick properly, one is not required to relight it even if it was extinguished prematurely; however, it is still preferable to do so. The leftover oil or candle can be used for the next night. Otherwise, it should not be disposed of like regular garbage since it was dedicated for a mitsvah. It should either be burned or sealed in a ziploc bag and then thrown away.^[20]

When lighting, it is proper to keep one’s hand lighting the flame until most of the wick is lit before proceeding to the next candle.^[21]

Can I light a match from my Hanukah candles?

Benefiting from the Hanukah candles is not allowed. Therefore, one may not use the Hanukah candles to light or relight the shamash. Even when lighting one of the other candles, it is preferable to either use the shamash candle, or at least to light directly from one wick/candle to the other, as opposed to lighting a match with one of the other candles.^[22]

Is it a mitsvah to have a Hanukah party?

Whereas on all holidays there is a mitsvah to have a seudah, usually with bread and wine, there is no obligation per se to have a meal on Hanukah. The essence of the holiday is to give thanks to Hashem, with a focus on the unique miracles of the oil and the war. If such thanks and praise to Hashem is given through having a meal, then that meal essentially becomes a mitsvah!^[23]

 

We recite Hanerot Halalu immediately after lighting the menorah, including the words: “Hanerot Halalu Kodesh Hem… these candles are holy and we cannot derive benefit from them, rather we just view them so that we can praise and thank You upon Your miracles, wonders, and salvations”. This highlights the sanctity and essence of our Hanukah lights. May their light bring along the long-awaited light of Mashiah speedily in our days, Amen.