Let’s address 2 questions that were asked in the laws of Chanukah.
The first question asked is when do we make the Berachot in the sequence of Menorah of Lighting? According to Halacha, on the first night of Chanukah we make 3 Berachot and one should not light the first candle until after he completes all the Berachot. One says, ‘Lihadlik Ner Chanukah’, followed by ‘SheAsa Nisim L’Avotenu…’ which is then followed by the Beracha of ‘Shehechiynau’. Only after one says the Beracha of Shehechiynau may he begin to light the candles. On the subsequent nights one makes the first two Berachot and then only after he completes them may he then start to light the candles.
Now, according to the Siddur Kavanot HaRashash written by the great Mikubal, Rabbi Shalom Sharabi (1720-1777), one should light the Menorah after the Beracha of ‘Lihadlik Ner Chanukah’. Meaning one lights after ‘Lihadlik Ner Chanukah’ but prior to ‘SheAsa Nisim L’Avotenu…’. That is the opinion of the Rashash, but that is not how the majority follow. That procedure applies only to those people who are of Kabalistic mind set and have specific thoughts that are required after lighting and before making the subsequent Berachot. Most of us are not experienced and are not entrenched in the Kabalah, and therefore, we (the majority) follow the basic way as brought down by Maran in the Bet Yoseph, which says all the Berachot precede the lighting. (See Torat HaMoadim siman 6:8.)
The second question asked is if whether or not it is permissible to light the Menorah at Chanukah parties. Many people get together at Chanukah parties, and they want to light ‘Lichvod Pirsum Hanes’ (to glorify the miracle of the holiday.) Would this be permissible?
Halacha says that they are allowed to light the Menorah but without a Beracha. The only time we light with a Beracha outside the home is in the synagogue. For that matter, there is great debate if it is even acceptable to make the Beracha in the synagogue. So, the Beracha should not be made anywhere outside the home except at the synagogue, but only where there was a Tikun enacted to light, which can only be where a Minyan gathers regularly for the purpose of Tefilah. So therefore, lighting at a party can only be without a Beracha even if it is in the synagogue, for it is not the appointed medium which was designated for lighting. However, praying Arbit at the party does constitute the venue as an authorized Bet Keneset even though it is temporary. This is the opinion of Chacham Ovadia Yoseph as indicated in Torat HaMoadim in siman 7:16.
So again, the only place one may be permitted to light outside the home with a Beracha would be a synagogue where a Minyan gathers regularly, and not a Chanukah party. However they may make the Berachot at the party if they will pray Arbit after the lighting.
