If you found this content meaningful and want to help further our mission through our Keter, Makom, and Tikun branches, please consider becoming a Change Maker today. For questions of practical application it’s always best to consult one’s own rabbi whenever possible.) (There are different approaches to many issues. Under most circumstances it’s a fairly simple mitzvah to perform but when questions do arise – whether it’s coming home late or candles blowing out unexpectedly – it’s always good to be prepared by familiarizing ourselves with as much information as possible.
For the first night or two of Chanukah, two people can light at opposite ends of the same menorah as the space in between their lights would make the distinction clear.The menorah may not be moved, or even picked up, while the candles are burning.The universal practice in the synagogue is to light the menorah before reciting havdalah.
On Saturday night, the more common practice is to perform havdalah before lighting the menorah at home, though there are those whose practice is the opposite. The menorah will require larger candles or more oil than on other days in order to enable the lights to burn until a half-hour after the stars appear. On Fridays, Chanukah candles are lit a few minutes before Shabbos candles Shabbos candles should be lit at the usual time. If a candle goes out before the half-hour is up, it does not have to be re-lit unless the circumstances of its lighting did not really provide it with the potential to burn for the requisite time (such as if it was lit in a windy room). If the lights burn beyond this half-hour, they may be extinguished, though many have the practice not to do so no matter how long the candles may burn. One must have enough fuel for his candles to burn at least half an hour. The optimum time to light the menorah is within a half-hour of when the stars appear, though if one did not do so he may light so long as it is still night. (In the absence of a mezuzah, the menorah should be placed on the right.) Since the mezuzah is on the right side of the doorway, a person will end up being surrounded by mitzvos. When lighting at a doorway, the menorah should be placed on the left side. Students in yeshivot generally light in the dining room. A common practice among Chasidim is to light inside by a doorway, usually to the dining room. The prevalent practice outside of Israel is to light inside by a window so that the light can be seen from the street. Wicks may be reused so long as they continue to burn well. Olive oil is especially desirable for use as a fuel since it is reminiscent of the miracle that occurred with the oil. Wax candles need not be placed in a menorah rather, they can just be adhered to a common surface.Īny kind of fuel and wicks may be used in the menorah but it is preferable to use materials that burn nicely. A menorah must be able to stand on its own without being propped up. While they may be functional, they are considered degrading to the mitzvah. One should try to acquire a beautiful menorah, so things like egg shells and hollowed out potatoes should be avoided. Our practice is that a wife does not light unless her husband is not lighting at home.Ī menorah may be made of virtually any material, from precious metals like gold and silver to more common materials like glass and wood. There are different practices regarding women who live with men, such as with a father or brother ask your own rabbi for guidance in this area. Even if a person has literally no money, he must either sell something or fundraise to be able to light the menorah. It is obligatory for every person either to light Chanukah candles or to have another person light for them. While we’re on the subject of Chanukah lighting, let’s review a few more useful tidbits. (What’s that, Allison? Too short? But the question was really straightforward this time! Okay, fine.) The prevalent practice among Sefardic Jews is for one menorah to be lit the prevalent practice among Ashkenazim is for each person to light their own. In my family, my father lights the menorah alone, but in my friends’ family, everyone lights their own menorah.
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