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 Power of Speech
The Importance of Learning during the Summer
Respecting One’s Father When He Visits on Shabbat
Must One Stand for His Rabbi or Parent While he Studies Torah, Prays or Recites Birkat Ha’mazon?
When Must One Stand in His Parent’s Presence?
Standing Up for a Parent Who is One’s Student
Standing in the Presence of One’s Parent
Laws Pertaining to Meals: Etiquette for Guests and Hosts, and Torah Scholars Eating with an Am Ha’aretz
Are There Restrictions on Whom a Female Kohen May Marry?
If a Kohen Marries a Woman Forbidden for Him
May a Kohen Fly on a Plane That is Carrying a Dead Body?
May a Kohen Visit the Gravesite of a Sadik?
May a Doctor Who is a Kohen Perform Biopsies or be in the Same Room as Body Parts From a Living Person?
May a Non-Kohen Bless Somebody With Birkat Kohanim?
Reciting the Verse of “Vi’yhi Noam” Before Praying or Performing a Misva
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found