Chanukah Archives - AskTheRav

How many inches high should the Menorah be from the floor?

The flames of the Menorah must be situated at least three Tefachim (approximately 10 inches) from the floor. The Menorah should not be positioned higher than ten Tefachim (approximately 31 inches). Many…

Should I relight my Menorah if any of the flames go out?

You should relight them, if any of them go out before 50 minutes.

On Sunday night IYH we will be traveling home from out of town. We will be leaving approximately two hours after Shkiah. Do we light Menorah in the place we were visiting or when we arrive back at home, which will be after midnight?

It is better to light at home, even if after midnight, if some family members are awake.

Can a teachers appreciation gift or Chanukah Gelt for teachers come from Maaser?

If the teachers are in the category that they may receive Tzedaka - as often is the case - then it may be taken from Maaser money. However, if it…

Someone who’s staying in a hospital on Chanukah, and they don’t allow fire to be lit there, can he light there even though he might have to put it out shortly thereafter?

Light without a Brachah. Of course we are not advising to go against hospital protocol, especially since there is a potential danger here C"V. You should coordinate with those in charge…

My wife is in the rehab for Chanukah and they only let them light candles in the Shul downstairs. Should she light in the Shul, or should I have her in mind and be Motzei her when I light at home?

She should be Yotzei from you, but she should watch someone in Shul lighting and answer Amen.

Am I allowed to move the Menorah if I think it isn’t safe? If I am not allowed, do I have to relight it if I started moving it and then placed it back in its original place?

If the Menorah was moved to a different location in the same area, one is Yotzei B'dieved. Some permit it even L'chatchilla. After 50 minutes, one may certainly move it.…

Students at college are having difficulty lighting the Menorah in their dormitories due to fire regulations. May they light in the Chabad House with a Brachah?

One person may light in the Chabad House with a Brachah as Pirusmei Nisa, but this does not dispense him from his personal obligation to light the Menorah at home/…

Is it not ideal to light the Menorah using Pomace olive oil?

Correct. It is kosher, but not ideal. Question 2: What about refined olive oil? Is only extra virgin olive oil ideal? Answer 2: They are all kosher L'chatchilla, but extra…

As we were doing Mivtzoim and giving out Menorahs someone gave me a $10 donation. We planned on using this $10 to buy doughnuts for the next time we go on Mivtzoim. The money fell out of my coat pocket a little while later. Do I have to pay $10 from my own money?

If the Tzedakah money had not been designated to a particular recipient, no one has a claim to it; thus the one that was holding the money doesn’t have the status…

If for whatever reason the main rooms of the house, like the kitchen and dining room, don’t have a Mezuzah, would it be better to light the Menorah by a bedroom or front door that do have a Mezuzah?

You should light at the entrance of the main room, even if it has no Mezuzah. Sources: לא מצינו בשום דוכתא שיש להדר להדליק בפתח שי״ב מזוזה. ומוכח בכ״מ…

When it says that the Menorah is supposed be lit between 3 and 10 Tefachim from the ground, does this refer to the height of the stool that the Menorah stands on, or the lights of the Menorah?

The Chanukah Menorah should be placed on a surface that is higher than three Tefachim (approximately ten inches) off the ground, since lower than three Tefachim is Halachically considered as if it's on…

If I will be lighting Menorah late at night due to traveling, may they be קובע סעודה on the plane? I can appoint someone to remind me to light upon arrival at the destination.

If one is making a Chanukah party in the lobby of a senior independent living building, can we say the Brochos for the Menorah lighting? Answer:s 1. They may not…

I am having a large group of people for a Chanukah Seuda. Most likely those people will not light the Menorah when they come home after the meal. Can I set up a table and have everyone light the Menorah before the Seuda?

Another event where many families will join for a Seuda in a private home. Can the host light candles and be Motzai everyone? Once again these people may not light…

When is the best time to light the Menorah according to Minhag Chabad?

After Shkiah Ha’amitis, several minutes after sunset. Sources: ראה ספר המנהגים חב״ד במקומו. ובלוח כולל חב״ד: תיכף אחרי השקיעה. שקיעה האמתית - ראה סדר הכנסת שבת. וראה אצלנו בלוח…

If we do a public Menorah lighting in a bowling alley, or any other event, how long do the candles have to burn to in order to make a Bracha on the lighting? How many Jews need to be present in order to light with a Brachah?

Half hour. Ten Jews must be present when lighting in order to make a Brachah.

שמעתי שמועה שיש ענין להשתמש דוקא בשמן זית שמייצרים יהודים בשביל נרות חנוכה במיוחד. האם זה נכון?

לא נכון. אמנם, חשוב לדעת, ש מצוי בשוק שמן זית מזוייף שנמכר במחיר נמוך מאוד. השמן המזוייף הוא צהבהב יותר, פחות מריר ויותר מימי. שמן זית אמיתי אינו מבעבע או מקציף…

I will be traveling this Sunday with a long stopover. When I reach my final destination it will be after Chatzos and perhaps even close to Alos. Should I wait to light at my final destination, or should I light where we will eat at the stopover?

Someone who intends to travel should organize his schedule in advance so that they will be able to personally light the Menorah at its proper time in their own living…

Where should I light my Menorah? By the doorpost to our bedroom, or by one of the doorposts that are facing the dining room?

Does the Menorah have to be directly in middle of the doorway (though it may block entry through it)? Can it be along the outside wall of the doorway? Answer:…

If a girl isn’t home when her father lights Chanukah candles, was she Yotzei? If not, should she light herself?

Women and girls are equally obligated in the Mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles. The custom in the homes of the Chabad Rebbeim is that women do not light their own…