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...
If a Person Did Not Recite Habdala on Mosa’eh Shabbat
Abelut When Somebody Passes Away on Ereb Shabuot
If Yom Tob Occurs During the Sheloshim Mourning Period
Shiba and Sheloshim When Somebody Passes Away During or Just Before Yom Tob
Which Restrictions Apply to Mourners When Somebody Passes Away During Yom Tob?
Is Hallel Recited in a House of Mourning on Rosh Hodesh?
The Status of the Clothing, Shoes and Hair of a Deceased Person
The Tombstone – When it Should be Erected, and How the Deceased’s Name Should be Written
May a Woman in Mourning During Hol Ha’mo’ed Immerse in the Mikveh?
Which Mourning Practices are Observed During Hol Ha’mo’ed?
May a Mourner Attend a Hachnasat Sefer Torah Celebration?
Does a Mourner Lean at the Seder on Pesah?
Does an Onen Perform the Misvot at the Seder?
The Status of Family Members Before the Funeral on Hol Ha’mo’ed Regarding Aninut and Sefirat Ha’omer
Wearing New or Freshly Laundered Garments During Abelut
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found