Hi,
On Friday night we light the Menorah before we light Shabbat candles, since once we have lit Shabbat candles we have accepted Shabbat and we cannot light the Menorah.
We make sure that the candles will last until at least thirty minutes into true night (after the stars have emerged) - so that we need candles that will last at least 93 minutes (18 minutes between candle lighting and sunset, 45 minutes between sunset and when the stars emerge, and then another 30 minutes). People tend to use thick Shabbat candles, which last longer than the usual Chanukah candles.
This is a special concern in years when the last night of Chanukah is a Friday night, so that we light eight candles and need them to last for a long time. With that many candles so close together, the candles tend to melt down very quickly. If one can use oil, that helps. Alternatively, tea lights work well.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 679)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Electric Menorah?
Hi,
I am frequently asked, "May one use an electric Menorah?" After all, many authorities consider electricity a form of fire as far as Shabbat is concerned (some authorities only forbid Shabbat use of electricity because of other issues, not associated with fire); could we consider an electric bulb like a Chanukah candle?
The consensus of many authorities is that an electric Menorah does not fulfill the Mitzvah; I have seen the following reasons:
1. At the time we light the Menorah, there must be enough fuel present for the flame to last until half an hour after the stars emerge. Otherwise, one doesn't fulfill the Mitzvah, because the act of kindling isn't an act sufficient to light that long. Electricity doesn't work that way - it is continuously generated. (Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, in Meorei Esh)
2. Flipping a switch, or pressing a button, may be considered an act of indirect lighting (Grama) when one completes the circuit. We require direct kindling, as takes place when one touches a flame to a wick. (Har Tzvi Orach Chaim 143)
3. The whole point is to commemorate the Temple Menorah, which employed fuel and wick. (Dvar Halachah 36)
4. Each flame is supposed to be a single flame, not a Medurah, a "bonfire," since the Temple Menorah had a single flame for each wick. A filament, which arcs horizontally, is called a Medurah. (Tzitz Eliezer I:20:12)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
I am frequently asked, "May one use an electric Menorah?" After all, many authorities consider electricity a form of fire as far as Shabbat is concerned (some authorities only forbid Shabbat use of electricity because of other issues, not associated with fire); could we consider an electric bulb like a Chanukah candle?
The consensus of many authorities is that an electric Menorah does not fulfill the Mitzvah; I have seen the following reasons:
1. At the time we light the Menorah, there must be enough fuel present for the flame to last until half an hour after the stars emerge. Otherwise, one doesn't fulfill the Mitzvah, because the act of kindling isn't an act sufficient to light that long. Electricity doesn't work that way - it is continuously generated. (Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, in Meorei Esh)
2. Flipping a switch, or pressing a button, may be considered an act of indirect lighting (Grama) when one completes the circuit. We require direct kindling, as takes place when one touches a flame to a wick. (Har Tzvi Orach Chaim 143)
3. The whole point is to commemorate the Temple Menorah, which employed fuel and wick. (Dvar Halachah 36)
4. Each flame is supposed to be a single flame, not a Medurah, a "bonfire," since the Temple Menorah had a single flame for each wick. A filament, which arcs horizontally, is called a Medurah. (Tzitz Eliezer I:20:12)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Candle order
Hi,
On the first night we light the candle which is farthest to our right as we face the Menorah.
On the ensuing nights we add candles to the immediate left of that candle and begin lighting with the leftmost candle, i.e. the newest one, and move from there rightward.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 676:5)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
On the first night we light the candle which is farthest to our right as we face the Menorah.
On the ensuing nights we add candles to the immediate left of that candle and begin lighting with the leftmost candle, i.e. the newest one, and move from there rightward.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 676:5)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Placement of the shamash
Hi,
The other day we noted that keeping a "shamash" lit is meant to provide an extra light with the Menorah, so that one doesn't use the sacred light of the Menorah for personal benefit.
We have also noted that one's Menorah should be clearly displayed, so that the onlooker can see how many lights are lit and know what night of Chanukah is being celebrated.
Therefore: If one's Menorah places the shamash close to the other lights, and without any real height demarcation between the shamash and the other lights, then one should be careful not to use that location for the shamash. Rather, one should light an extra candle in the room, or just keep an electric light on in the room, to prevent confusion about how many "official" lights are in the Menorah.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 671:5; Mishneh Berurah 671:12)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
The other day we noted that keeping a "shamash" lit is meant to provide an extra light with the Menorah, so that one doesn't use the sacred light of the Menorah for personal benefit.
We have also noted that one's Menorah should be clearly displayed, so that the onlooker can see how many lights are lit and know what night of Chanukah is being celebrated.
Therefore: If one's Menorah places the shamash close to the other lights, and without any real height demarcation between the shamash and the other lights, then one should be careful not to use that location for the shamash. Rather, one should light an extra candle in the room, or just keep an electric light on in the room, to prevent confusion about how many "official" lights are in the Menorah.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 671:5; Mishneh Berurah 671:12)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Prayer for Rain
Hi,
Beginning this Thursday night (at Maariv), we change the 9th blessing of the Amidah (Blessing of the Seasons), which begins "ברך עלינו" "Bless on our behalf." We insert the request, "ותן טל ומטר" "Give us rain and dew, for a blessing," and we use this phrase until Pesach.
The request for rain is considered so integral to the Amidah that one who accidentally omits it, and finishes the Amidah, is supposed to repeat the whole Amidah.
One who catches the error before reciting the final 9 words of the blessing may simply insert that request for rain wherever she is in the blessing, and continue.
One who catches the error before concluding the 16th blessing, "Shma Koleinu," "Hear our voice," may insert it into that blessing - before the words "Ki Atah Shomeia," "For You hear the prayer."
One who catches the error after that, but before concluding the Amidah by stepping out of the Amidah stance, goes back to the 9th blessing, says it again, and repeats the Amidah from that point to the end.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Beginning this Thursday night (at Maariv), we change the 9th blessing of the Amidah (Blessing of the Seasons), which begins "ברך עלינו" "Bless on our behalf." We insert the request, "ותן טל ומטר" "Give us rain and dew, for a blessing," and we use this phrase until Pesach.
The request for rain is considered so integral to the Amidah that one who accidentally omits it, and finishes the Amidah, is supposed to repeat the whole Amidah.
One who catches the error before reciting the final 9 words of the blessing may simply insert that request for rain wherever she is in the blessing, and continue.
One who catches the error before concluding the 16th blessing, "Shma Koleinu," "Hear our voice," may insert it into that blessing - before the words "Ki Atah Shomeia," "For You hear the prayer."
One who catches the error after that, but before concluding the Amidah by stepping out of the Amidah stance, goes back to the 9th blessing, says it again, and repeats the Amidah from that point to the end.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Location of the menorah in the synagogue
Hi,
The Menorah is lit in the synagogue each evening, between Minchah (afternoon prayers) and Maariv (evening prayers), to publicize the miracles of Chanukah. It should be placed along the south wall of the synagogue, parallel to the Menorah of the Beit haMikdash [Temple] which was also placed along the south wall.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 671:7)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
The Menorah is lit in the synagogue each evening, between Minchah (afternoon prayers) and Maariv (evening prayers), to publicize the miracles of Chanukah. It should be placed along the south wall of the synagogue, parallel to the Menorah of the Beit haMikdash [Temple] which was also placed along the south wall.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 671:7)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, December 1, 2008
Placement of the Menorah
Hi,
Ideally, the menorah should be placed outside the house, where everyone will be able to see it. However, one who cannot do so due to legitimate fear of violence or theft may place it inside - ideally where it will be visible from the street, but at least where other household members will see it.
Even if the Menorah is lit inside the house, one of the Menorot to be lit should be positioned near the front door, in order to surround an entering person with the mitzvot of Mezuzah and Menorah.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 671:5, 7)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Ideally, the menorah should be placed outside the house, where everyone will be able to see it. However, one who cannot do so due to legitimate fear of violence or theft may place it inside - ideally where it will be visible from the street, but at least where other household members will see it.
Even if the Menorah is lit inside the house, one of the Menorot to be lit should be positioned near the front door, in order to surround an entering person with the mitzvot of Mezuzah and Menorah.
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 671:5, 7)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
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