DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 426 KB)
Hanukah – Should Hanukah Candles be Lit at a Minyan in an Office?

Hanukah candles are lit each night at home and also in the synagogue. Although the Gemara makes no mention of the candle lighting in the synagogue, this is a time-honored custom that is documented already in the time of the Rishonim. The question was posed to Hacham Ovadia Yosef as to whether this practice applies only in the synagogue, or anywhere ten men assemble for prayer. For example, many observant Jews host Minha and Arbit services in their offices. Should candles be lit at such a Minyan?

Hacham Ovadia answered that indeed, anytime ten men assemble for an evening Minyan the candles should be lit with the Berachot. Moreover, if ten men assemble for some other event, such as a family Hanukah celebration, candles should be lit, and if the people had not yet lit the candles at home, the Berachot should be recited. This ruling is written in Yalkut Yosef (p. 96).

Summary: Anytime ten men assemble for an evening Minyan during Hanukah, even if this does not occur in a synagogue, the candles should be lit, with a Beracha.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
The Beracha Recited Over Coffee; The Status of Coffee Prepared by a Gentile
The Beracha on Bread Made From Sprouted Wheat
Reciting a Beracha Upon Seeing Majestic Mountains
Birkat Ha’re’ah
The Beracha When Eating Spices; The Beracha Over Chocolate
If One Is Unsure If He Recited Birkat Hamazon
If One Wants to Continue Eating after Washing Mayim Aharonim or Preparing for Birkat Hamazon
Reciting Birchot Ha’shahar Aloud So Others Can Answer “Amen”
Situations That Require Hand Washing
Netilat Yadayim in the Morning If One Arises Before Daybreak
Netilat Yadayim in the Morning if One Went to Sleep After Hasot
Netilat Yadayim When One Hand is in a Cast
Using a Disposable Cup for Kiddush and Netilat Yadayim
Using a Sink for the Morning Hand Washing
May One Wash Netilat Yadayim in the Restroom?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found