ב"ה
Halachic Digest
חנוכה תשפ”ד
Compiled by Rabbis Yoseph Vigler, Mendel and Sholom Zirkind
Edited by Rabbi Y. Zirkind ע"ה
לעילוי נשמת הרב יצחק בן הרב אליעזר צבי זאב צירקינד ז”ל
V’sein Tal Umatar
We begin reciting V’sein Tal Umatar on Tuesday night December 5, 23 Kislev.
If you are in doubt whether you said “ותן טל ומטר” – for the first thirty days we assume you did not say it.
If you forgot to say “ותן טל ומטר לברכה”, it depends when you remembered, as follows:
If you remembered before saying Hashem’s Name in the Bracha of מברך השנים go back to “ותן טל ומטר לברכה”
If you already said Hashem’s Name in ברוך אתה ה' מברך השנים" but didn’t begin the next Bracha yet, say “ותן טל ומטר לברכה” right there. Then continue תקע בשופר
If you already began Teka beShofar, do not stop. Continue until "שומע תפילה", and insert: ומלפניך מלכנו ריקם אל תשיבנו ותן טל ומטר לברכה כי אתה שומע וכו'
If you finished שומע תפילה, but did not yet start "רצה" then say now: ותן טל ומטר לברכה and then continue Retzei
If you remembered after starting רצה, any time before the end of Shmoneh Esrei, go back to ברך עלינו
If you remembered after you finished Shmoneh Esrei, and forgot entirely to say ותן טל ומטר - then daven the Shmoneh Esrei a second time.
If you only remembered in the next Tefillah that in the previous one you forgot ותן טל ומטר, daven two Shmoneh Esreis (except for Friday night when you do not daven two Shmoneh Esreis).
Who lights the Menorah?
All men should light, and boys should be trained from a young age to light menorah.
Women too, are obligated to light Chanukah candles. In practice, women fulfill their obligation with the man’s lighting - either the husband or the father. They should be present when the Menorah is lit, and have in mind to fulfill their obligation. Young girls too, should be present when the Menorah is lit.
It is thus proper that the Menorah be lit at a time when everyone can be present.
If the women are unable to be present, they have nevertheless fulfilled their obligation and need not light themselves.
There are circumstances when a woman lights her own candles, with brochos:
Single women who do not permanently live with their father. This includes seminary girls etc
A woman who is away from home without her husband/father, and no one is lighting the Menorah in the home where she is staying; e.g. she is in a hotel room, hospital, or in her own home.
If her husband or father is away overnight.
Where do we light the Menorah?
Some light by the window facing the street. Others light in a doorway of their home on the left side, so that the Mezuzah is on the right and the Menorah on the left. In a room with no Mezuzah (e.g. in a hotel), the Menorah would be lit on the right.
The Menorah is preferably placed higher than 3 Tefachim and lower than 10 Tefachim when lighting by the doorway. According to many, this means that the flames (not the base of the Menorah) should be between 3 and 10 Tefachim.
When lighting by the window, preferably light by a window lower than 10 Tefachim.
If the window is higher than 20 Amos from street level, some say it is better to light by the doorway; others say to light by the window. If one is lighting by the window, use a Menorah that has no back, so that the people in the house can also see the flames. Similarly, if one is lighting late at night when no people are out, he should ensure that the people in the house should see the flames.
One is not allowed to light in a windy place or any place that the flame would easily be extinguished. If you did light in such a place and the candles did extinguish, you must relight them albeit without a Brocho.
However, if the candles were lit in a place where they were likely to last, yet they went out before lasting 30 minutes (after tzeis hakochavim), the din is they need not be relit. Still, the custom is to relight them without a brocho.
The proper location to light is where you eat on a permanent basis.
It is better to light where you eat (on a more permanent basis), than where you sleep
However, bochurim in a dormitory, should rather light by their rooms than in the dining room since the dining room is communal whilst the rooms are more personal to them. For good measure, they should eat a meal or two in their dormitory room.
Where do we light when traveling on Chanukah
The (primary) obligation of Chanukah, is for one to light in his own house. If someone is staying over elsewhere (even for a day), he may light there if he is eating and sleeping there, because this is considered his house for that day.
However if someone is eating temporarily in someone else's house (e.g. at a Chanukah party), all agree that the optimal Halachic option is for him to light at home, even if will be returning late at night, than to light elsewhere (because in this case, it is not considered his house). There are some contemporary Poskim who allow - in case of need - for someone to light at a party in someone else's house, if he is there with his whole family (and he is eating a full meal). Most Poskim disagree with this leniency.
If someone is traveling during Chanukah, he should arrange his travel in a way that he will be able to light Chanukah candles (at the right time) in his house or in the place where he is staying at his destination.
If you must travel from before פלג המנחה through the entire night, a Rav should be consulted regarding if and how to light Chanukah candles, and if to should say (all) the brachos. If family members remain at home, they should light there with a bracha.
If one is getting married or moving to a new home during Chanukah, it depends which home you are in at the time of candle lighting.
If you are going to leave your former home before the time of lighting, light in the new home. If you are still in the old home at the time of lighting light there, providing that you will still be there for a half hour after lighting.
If one was staying in another house and plan on returning that night, some hold that they should return and light in their own house, and others hold that if they will still stay for a half hour after lighting, they could light where they are now.
When do we light the Menorah
Minhogim differ as to when to light candles: right after sunset, right after tzeis hakochavim, or some time in between.
One should make sure to put in enough oil that it should burn for at least a half hour after tzeis hakochavim, (and some say fifty minutes)
If you light after tzeis, it is best to daven Maariv first - unless you have a set Minyan later. Prepare the Menorah earlier, so you can kindle right after Maariv.
If members of the family are away, it is best to kindle when they return home, even though it means a delay. Try to plan ahead so the whole family is back on time.
From half an hour before the time of kindling until you light the candles, you cannot do work or business, learn, eat mezonos or hamotzi (or drink alcoholic beverages) more than a kebeitza. Eating less than a kebeitza is permissible. One may eat (and drink) shehakol and fruits as much as one wishes. One can learn, if he asks someone who is not learning to remind him to light when the time comes.
If you are flying at the time of kindling you may eat anything. The restriction only applies if you are able to light but are delaying it for whatever reason.
If one will not have a chance to light later, the earliest time to light candles is after plag hamincha (3:31pm NYC). However there are varying opinions if a Beracha may be recited then. A Rav should be consulted.
Note, you must place enough oil for the candles to burn into the night, half hour after tzeis.
If you forgot and put in only enough oil to burn for 30 minutes (after tzeis hakochavim) you have to relight with the correct amount.
Lighting before sunset is not optimal. Given the option between lighting early, before shkia, or late at night, the latter is better - as long as someone in the household will be present at the lighting later.
Candles may not be lit before plag hamincha. If you lit before plag hamincha, you have to relight later with a bracha.
Bedieved the latest possible time to light is Alos hashachar. You may only light with a bracha at this time if members of the household are present to watch the lighting. (If one is lighting less than a half hour before Alos hashachar, there are varying opinions if he could light with a Beracha).
If the father is away at work etc and cannot get home at the time of Chanukah lighting but plans to return home before everyone goes to sleep, wait for him to light. If he plans to arrive after bedtime, his wife should light. He should have in mind not to be yotze so that he can light with a bracha when he arrives home. For him to make a bracha late night some of the family must be awake or he should wake them up. Otherwise no bracha.
How do you light the Chanukah Candles
Although other oils (or candles) may be used on Chanukah, olive oil is ideal. The oil needs a reliable Hechsher (especially if it's from Eretz Yisroel).
There is some fraud in the olive oil market. One way to test for genuine olive oil is to place it in the fridge. Real olive oil becomes thicker and cloudier than an imitation.
In a situation where one won't be able to light real fire, one should use an electric Menorah, but should not make a bracha.
Although any wicks may be used for Chanukah, cotton wicks are ideal.
On the first night, we light the candle on the far right of the Menorah, and add one more each night from right to left.
When lighting the flames, we begin with the newest candle, and proceed from left to right. However, you should position yourself to the left of the candles so as not to pass over a wick and “embarrass” it by not lighting it immediately.
The Shamash should be higher than the other candles. Many use a beeswax candle Shamash. Others light it with olive oil, (and use a separate candle to light the candles).
The custom is that all men and boys from Chinuch-age light their own Menorah.
Ladies are obligated in kindling. They are yotze from men but if there are no men over bar mitzvah at home they should light personally or through a representative.
Girls studying in seminaries away from home must therefore fulfill the mitzvah where they presently live. However, one girl may be appointed as a representative to light a menorah on behalf of them all.
The candles must be:-
(a) in a straight row, not circular
(b) on the same height
(c) with an equal distance between candles
(d) spaced far enough from each other so as not to appear as one flame, (approx. 2 (or 2.4) cm between the flames) and if lighting wax candles, spaced far enough not to melt.
(e) Leave space between Menorahs if separate individuals light together.
First light the Shamash and recite the brochos “להדליק” and “שעשה נסים”, and on the first night also “שהחיינו”. Once all brochos are completed begin lighting the candles.
Should one forget to recite the brochos,
If you remembered before lighting all the candles, say all the Brochos and continue lighting.
If you already finished lighting all of them, you skip the first brocho, “להדליק נר חנוכה” and start from the second bracha, “שעשה ניסים”
שהחיינו is recited the first time you light even if it is not the first night of Chanukah.
One should hold the Shamash by each wick until the flame is embedded in the wick.
Do not light one candle from another, only from a shamash or other foreign candle.
The remaining oil in the bottle may be used for any purpose.
However, the remaining oil in the menorah cups after the 8th night, that was left over after it was lit for at least 30 minutes (after tzeis hakochavim) should not be used for any other purpose - and should be burned (without deriving any benefit).
Note - if you stipulatedwhen you lit that the leftovers would not have any kedusha to them then the remaining oil has no sanctity. (However it should not be disposed of in a disrespectful way).
Note also, if the candles were extinguished for whatever reason before being lit for 30 minutes after tzeis hakochavim, then a stipulation would not help and the remaining oil must be burned even if a stipulation was made.
After the lighting
הנרות הללו is recited. Some say it after lighting the first candle, while others say it after lighting all the candles. Some also recite other tefilos and zemiros..
It is proper to remain with the lit candles half an hour (except on Erev Shabbos).
One is not allowed to derive any benefit from the light of the Chanukah candles.
The Menorah should remain in the place it was lit without being moved. In case of need, one could move it after it burned for a half hour after tzeis hakochavim. Some don’t move it even afterwards (particularly when lighting by the window).
(Note for those that light by the window: there are some Poskim who maintain that in today’s society, ever since we have electricity, people are out on the streets until late at night. Since the Halacha is that Chanukah candles should burn as long as people are on the street, that would be much later than 30 minutes after tzeis - about 9pm or even later. If you follow that, you should preferably (a) have sufficient oil to burn till late night and (b) not move the candles even after half an hour after tzeis.)
While the candles are burning: Women do not do work e.g. sewing, weaving, washing, ironing until the candles burned 30 minutes (from tzeis). Afterwards it is permissible, but not near the candles .
ועל הניסים
If you forgot to say ועל הניסים but remembered before saying “ה’” at the end of the bracha, go back. If not, do not go back. Some insert before the second יהיו לרצון at the end of the Amida: הרחמן הוא יעשה לנו ניסים כמו שעשה לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה. בימי
In bentching, if you remembered before saying “Hashem” at the end of the bracha, go back. If not, you do not go back. But before הרחמן הוא יזכנו you say הרחמן הוא יעשה לנו ניסים כמו שעשה לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה, בימי...
You do not skip lechatchila Ve’al hanissim to catch up to answer Kedusha or Modim.
On Shabbos Chanukah, if you are bentching again because you forgot to say Retzei the first time in bentching, you do not have to say ve’al hanissim again.
Davening
No tachanun for the entire Chanukah.
Complete Hallel is recited all 8 days.
Minhagim vary if Avelim daven for the Amud on Chanukah. Those who daven for the Amud should have someone take over for hallel. The Avel continues with Kaddish.
No fasting on Chanukah, even a Chosson on his wedding day.
Chanukah customs
We make the giving of Chanukah gelt an exciting experience giving generously and in increasing amounts, making the kids happy and excited about it, so that children who have not yet received Chanukah gelt be impressed by hearing about the experiences of friends who already received the gelt (or were at least promised it). It is good for children to receive gelt from as many people as possible. Children should know that they are receiving Chanukah gelt so that they will further increase their Torah study and be able to give more tzedakah.
It is proper to give out Chanukah gelt - to adults too. Kids give to other kids.
The minhag is to play with a dreidel.
It is customary to increase in meals and get-togethers during Chanukah. During these get-togethers we should discuss and thank Hashem for the miracles of Chanukah.
To commemorate the miracle of Yehudis, daughter of Yochonon Kohen Gadol, some have the minhag to eat cheese or other milchiks.
Minhag Yisroel is to eat foods fried in oil to commemorate the miracle of the oil.
One should increase in Torah (especially in Chanukah Torah), Tefillah and Tzadaka.
Lighting in Shul
Place the menorah on the southern wall, with candles east to west, above 10 tefachim
Candles are lit at Mincha, before Aleinu, as long as it is after plag hamincha. We do not wait for sunset.
All the brochos are made in shul. Therefore, a mourner should not light the shul menorah on the first night of Chanukah to avoid saying שהחיינו. .
One is not yotze with the Shul candles, and must go home and light again.
The Shliach Tzibur who recites שהחיינו in Shul does not repeat it at home, unless he has family members present, who have not heard it yet. However, according to some, if he first lit at home and then in Shul, he recites שהחיינו again even if everyone has lit already due to the added measure of Pirssumei Nissa in Shul.
Light candles at all Minyanim (Shacharis too, albeit without a bracha). The Menorah should be at the same location (as above) in the shul. One should use a shamash and not light the candles from one another even when lighting in the morning without a bracha (so that people don’t get confused at the menorah lighting at home)
It is best if a man over bar mitzvah lights the candles in the evening in Shul.
Erev Shabbos Chanukah kindling
On Erev Shabbos, it is best to daven Mincha early before lighting Chanukah candles. You then light Menorah in Shul, only if it is after plag hamincha as above.
It is proper to have a Minyan present in shul for Chanukah lighting.
If you cannot make it to Minyan before lighting candles, rather light before Mincha and daven Mincha in Shul with a minyan after lighting.
Since on Erev Shabbos you light earlier than usual, make sure there’s enough oil (or the candles are large enough) to burn at least 30 minutes after tzeis.
Chanukah candles are lit before Shabbos candles.
One cannot light chanukah nor Shabbos candles after sunset.
If one forgot and lit the Shabbos candles first,
If it is a man, he can still light the Chanukah candles himself, if he didn’t have in mind to accept Shabbos when lighting the Shabbos candles.
If it is a woman, she cannot light herself, but she may ask someone to light for her. The one lighting recites the first bracha and she would recite the rest.
On Friday night, one has to be careful not to open the door (or walk past the candles very quickly), if this can cause the wind to blow out the candles. If the candles are near a door, something should be placed to protect the Chanukah candles from the wind, so that there won't be an issue with opening the door on Shabbos.
On Shabbos, it is forbidden to move the chair on which the Menorah rests, even after the flames have gone out.
If you anticipate you will need to move it then, before Shabbos place a Challah or other item that will be used for Shabbos, on the chair or the stand, where the Menorah is. (However placing this on a tray is designated for the Menorah, will not help). It then becomes a בסיס לאיסור ולהיתר and may be moved , provided that it is being moved because one needs the space where the menorah is, (but not for the safety of the menorah itself).
Another option is to push the chair using your feet. In this way one may move it even for the safety of the Menorah itself.
Regardless, one may never move it if the candles are still burning, as this will cause any of the flames to be extinguished, or the oil to move closer or further from the wick.
Shabbos Chanukah
If you are repeating bentching because you forgot Retzei, you do not repeat ve’al hanissim if you already said it the first time.
Motzei Shabbos
In Shul: Ma’ariv, Candle lighting before Aleinu, and then Havdalah.
At home: we try to light as early as possible without delay. The prevailing custom is to say Havdalah and then Candle lighting. For those who usually say ויתן לך at home after Havdalah, many have the custom to say it after lighting the Chanukah candles
Tuesday night - Wed, Rosh Chodesh additions
Remember Yaale veyavo in addition to ועל הניסים
2 Sifrei Torah are taken out today by Shacharis. In the first we read 3 Aliyos for Rosh Chodesh. In the second we read the Keriah for Chanukah
Musaf for Rosh Chodesh, with ועל הניסים
Last day - Zos Chanukah
It was a common teaching in Poland that … the gmar chasimah occurs in the month of Kislev, during Chanukah.
A lichtigen Chanukah!