CHANUKA Step-by-Step Chanuka FRIDAY, 24 KISLEV (December 15th) Some have the custom of preparing the Chanukiya in the morning for the evening (this goes for every day, except Shabbat, of course). This not only serves the practical purpose of being ready to light on time without delaying to set up later, but it also commemorates the practice in the Beit HaMikdash called Hatavat HaNeirot, whereby the Kohen (Gadol) tended the Menora and prepared it in the morning for kindling in the late, late afternoon. Since our lighting on Chanuka directly commemorates the lighting of the Menora in the Beit HaMikdash, this suggestion provides a nice "added touch" to the mitzva and symbolism of Chanuka lighting. In addition to preparing for the first candle of Friday evening, it is a good idea to also prepare for the second candle which will be lit on Motza’ei Shabbat, on Friday. This will allow lighting on Motza”Sh without any unnecessary delay, especially since the Motza”Sh lighting is already delayed until after Shabbat. One can set up two candles in another Chanukiya, or even at the other end of the same Chanukiya (or in positions 2 and 3) he/she will be lighting on Friday. (Don’t worry about the left-right business; it is more important to be ready to light as soon as possible after Shabbat.) Also, have your Motza”Sh Shamash and matches ready nearby. Something else that one should try to do on the two Fridays Erev Chanuka, is to daven Mincha before candle lighting. This is so because Mincha “belongs” to Friday and candle lighting “belongs” to Shabbat (even though we are lighting when it is still Friday). Furthermore, the lighting of the Menora in the Beit HaMikdash was done after the Tamid sacrifice of the afternoon. All this said, if it means not davening Mincha with a Minyan, it is better to light and then go to shul for Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat & Maariv. However, one should try to daven at a Mincha Gedola Minyan. To that end, we will be davening Mincha at the Israel Center on Fridays, December 15th and 22nd at 12:10pm, in the Wolinetz Family Shul Ohel Shmuel, on the ground floor of the Center. (Men and women are invited.) We cannot follow the standard weekday timing (sunset or stars-out - see further) on Erev Shabbat, because of the prohibition of kindling and handling fire on Shabbat. So we will have to light early. And this will require longer (or fatter) candles or more oil than usual. Furthermore, the rule is that Chanuka candles are lit before Shabbat candles. Shabbat candle lighting in most places is 18-22 minutes before sunset. This time should not be moved. Chanuka candles should be lit shortly before Shabbat candles (even when different people are lighting). Preferably, they should not be lit a lot before Shabbat candles, but in all cases, never before Plag. We suggest using 3:45pm as the earliest time to light Chanuka candles throughout the week. This time is "padded" so that we can use the same, easy to remember time throughout this Chanuka and throughout Israel. (Since actual PLAG is earlier than 3:45pm, if one needs to light a few minutes before this time, he must check for his location's specific time of Plag on the specific day he needs to light earlier.) Jerusalem (and Petach Tikva) custom for every Shabbat is to light candles 40 minutes before sunset. (Maale Adumim lights 35 minutes before sunset.) There is a common custom to delay Shabbat candles 15 to 20 minutes after the posted time (remember - Jerusalem and Petach Tikva only (Maale Adumim?), or other places where the same practice is observed) so that one's Chanuka candles do not have to be lit so early. This matter should be explained well to the family so that misunderstandings do not arise. Not everyone in Jerusalem follows this practice; many keep the posted time for Shabbat candle lighting and light Chanuka candles shortly before that. TO BE SPECIFIC: Shabbat candle lighting time for Jerusalem on the two Erev Shabbat-Chanuka this year are 4:01pm and 4:05pm. Either light Chanuka candles at 3:55-4:00pm-ish and then light Shabbat candles, or wait until 4:20-ish, then light Chanuka candles followed by Shabbat candles. Remember, if you are not in Jerusalem (or...), stick to the posted Shabbat candle lighting time - do not delay it. In all cases, do not light either Chanuka or Shabbat candles before PLAG Mincha, 3:45pm (see above for details). Also - and this is very important - whenever you light Chanuka candles, they must have enough fuel (oil or wax) to last until at least a half-hour after stars-out, that is, at least until 5:50pm (padded), preferably (a little) longer. This applies to Friday night too, which means that the standard (or even the prettier, longer) Chanuka candles will not make it. Recommended are the #16 or #20 Shabbat candles, which will fit most Chanukiyas and will last long enough. Tea lights are good too, even though they won't fit your Chanukiya. Fold a piece of aluminum foil and place 8 tea candles on it in a row. For the first night, light only one (of course), but there should be a line of 8 even though you are lighting fewer candles, so that it is noticeable that you are lighting one of 8, rather than just one candle. For oil users, experience will teach you how much oil you need. If you do not have the experience, it doesn’t hurt to experiment a couple of days before Chanuka so you will be ready. Suggestion: Hold MA’OZ TZUR for the Shabbat table as one of the Z’mirot, rather than sing it with the lighting, so you can get to shul ASAP. For lighting on Fridays, be very careful not to get too close to sunset. Let 4:30pm be a "redline" for lighting candles (Chanuka or Shabbat) - otherwise, one runs the risk of encroaching on Shabbat. After that time, be absolutely sure the sun is still in the sky (4:30pm is a padded time to cover both Shabbatot and anywhere in the country) - otherwise it is better not to light Chanuka or Shabbat candles, sad as that seems. Many shuls will sing L’CHA DODI to the tune of MA’OZ TZUR on Shabbat Chanuka. And, of course, at the table, especially if you have any GAN-age children or grandchildren present, there are many Chanuka songs to add to your usual Friday night repertoire of Z’mirot and songs. Remember, although Chanuka does not require a SEUDAT MITZVA, any meal (especially, but not only, on Shabbat) with songs, stories, and relevant Divrei Torah becomes a special Chanuka Seuda. AL HANISIM is added to every Amida and Birkat HaMazon throughout Chanuka. (There is no reference to Chanuka in AL HAMICHYA, a.k.a. Bracha Mei'ein Shalosh.) Forgetting AL HANISIM does NOT invalidate either the Amida or Birkat HaMazon. That means that neither is to be repeated because AL HANISIM was omitted. However, if one realizes the omission before the end of the Amida, AL HANISIM can be said right before YIHYU L'RATZON. In Birkat HaMazon, an omitted AL HANISIM becomes a HARACHAMAN, right before HARACHAMAN HU Y'ZAKEINU, as follows... HARACHAMAN HU YA'ASEH LANU NISIM V'NIFLA'OT KA'ASHER ASAH LA'AVOTEINU BAYAMIM HAHEIM BAZMAN HAZEH. BI'MEI MATITYAHU... SHABBAT, 25 KISLEV (December 16th) - Full HALLEL is said on each of the eight days of Chanuka (because there was the manifestation of a miracle on each day). Two Sifrei Torah are taken out. (When there are two Shabbatot-Chanuka, the first is VAYEISHEV and the second is MIKEITZ.) Parshat HaShavua - Vayeishev - is read from the first, and the Torah reading for the first day of Chanuka is read for the Maftir in the second Torah. The reading starts at the beginning of Bamidbar 7 (in Parshat Naso), with the description of the dedication of the Mishkan, almost a year after the Exodus. The reading begins with the anointing and sanctification of the Mishkan, its furnishings, and vessels, and the gifts of the Leaders of the Tribes to the families of Levi for the transport of the dismantled Mishkan. It continues with the gifts and offerings of the Leader of Shevet Yehuda on the first day of Dedication, the first day of Chanukat HaMizbei'ach. Some shuls begin the reading of the first day six p'sukim earlier, to include the portion of Birkat Kohanim in the Chanuka reading. The reason (or one of the reasons) is to identify and acknowledge the Chashmona'im as Kohanim. The Torah reading is followed by the special Chanuka Haftara, which preempts the regular Haftara of Vayeishev. The reading is from Zecharya, and includes his vision of a golden Menora. (More on this in the Sedra Summary.) Motza'ei Shabbat, 26 KISLEV (December 16th) - (Times are for Jerusalem; other places require proper adjustment.) Sunset is 4:43pm. Shabbat is out at 5:16pm. Although 5:16 is considered Stars-Out (Tzeit HaKochavim) as far as Shabbat is concerned, there are earlier times that qualify as Stars-Out for other purposes, such as reciting SH'MA at night. There are different opinions, but let's use 17 minutes after sunset as an earlier TZEIT. It is recommended (not everyone agrees) that we start davening Maariv at 5:00pm so that we can finish at or shortly after the Shabbat-out time. This will allow lighting Chanuka candles earlier (i.e. sooner after Stars-Out) than if we daven Maariv at the usual time for Motza"Sh. Those who say V'YITEN L'CHA should say it after Chanuka candles are lit. Okay, it's Motza'ei Shabbat and Chanuka, we're home from shul as soon after Shabbat as possible, what now? TWO MITZVOT TO PERFORM - Havdala and Chanuka candles. By the rule of TADIR (that which is more frequent should be done first), havdala should be said first. And by logic, one should "finish" with Shabbat and then light candles for the next day of Chanuka, which is Sat. night & Sunday. Many authorities hold that on Motza'ei Shabbat, one should say havdala first and then light Chanuka candles. This opinion is followed by the majority of Chanuka-candle-lighting Jews all over the world. The Maharal (among others) is vehement in his insistence that we cannot possibly consider doing something so "weekday-ish" as lighting Chanuka candles, unless we have first said havdala. He rejects any argument to the contrary. ON THE OTHER HAND... there is a strong argument for lighting Chanuka candles before havdala. First of all, Shabbat is over when it is 5:16pm (some calendars might vary slightly) AND one has said Havdala in davening (ATA CHONANTANU in the Maariv Amida) OR at least said BARUCH HAMAVDIL BEIN KODESH L'CHOL. The Havdala with wine, spices, candle, is NOT what ends Shabbat - it is what honors the departing Shabbat (and permits eating and drinking). Even so, havdala should go first, except for one very important factor: The prime time (according to some opinions, the only time) for Chanuka candles is ticking away. We cannot, of course, light Chanuka candles when it is still Shabbat. But we should maximize the amount of time of the "half-hour after" once we are allowed to light. Havdala will wait; Chanuka candles will not. Therefore, the OTHER opinion is that Chanuka candles go first and then havdala. Remember: Shabbat must be over - both with time and havdala words - before one may light Chanuka candles. And this procedure comes with the additional reminder not to use the Chanuka candles for havdala, since one may not benefit from the Chanuka lights, and the bracha in havdala is specifically upon using the light (hence the examining of fingernails, etc.). Chanuka candles first is the opinion of the Vilna Gaon and many others, and is Minhag Yerushalayim. (Remember that not everyone in Yerushalayim follows the practices known as Minhag Yerushalayim and some people elsewhere do.) This dispute is one of the few in halacha that is resolved: "Whichever opinion you follow, you have performed correctly". Either procedure may be followed. Family and community custom should play a deciding role in this issue. Again, a Rav should be consulted, especially if one is considering a change of his/her practice. Some say that those who light outdoors should follow the custom of lighting before havdala. Those who light indoors can take their pick. Remember that Shabbat is paramount. In case of doubt as to whether Shabbat is being encroached upon, one should NOT light Chanuka candles. It must be DEFINITELY after Shabbat before lighting. But one should not unnecessarily delay the fulfillment of the mitzva of Chanuka candles. A note for Rabeinu Tam people: Those who follow the Shabbat-out time of Rabeinu Tam (72 minutes after sunset) and consider it to be the correct halachic time, must keep it on Motza'ei Shabbat Chanuka, even though it means losing "prime time" for Chanuka candles. Those who keep Rabeinu Tam time as a CHUMRA (a strict measure, but recognize the earlier time as halachic), might end Shabbat earlier on Motza'ei Shabbat Chanuka, in order to fulfill the mitzva of Chanuka candles at their better time. It is advised to check this out with a Rav if you are not sure what to do. In shul, it is the universal practice to light Chanuka candles before saying havdala, this to maximize Pirsumei Nisa in a situation where everyone present will be leaving for home shortly. At home, people will still be there for the Chanuka candles, so there is no need to light before havdala (according to those who follow this first opinion). Those who say havdala first can light the Shamash for the Chanuka candles with the havdala candle before extinguishing it, thus dovetailing two mitzvot. Those who follow the second opinion can light the havdala candle from the Shamash, thereby dovetailing one mitzva into another. On Motza'ei Shabbat, when we light after Stars-Out, it is sufficient for the candles to burn for half an hour. Still, it is preferable that they last longer. This has to do with the fact that in our time, people are out in the streets later than in times past and Pirsumei Nisa (publicizing the miracle) applies later than the original "half-hour after stars-out". SUN, MON, TUE, WED, THU evenings, the eves of 27, 28, 29, 30 KISLEV, and 1 TEVET (Dec. 17,18,19,20,21) - There are two practices as to when is the ideal time to light Chanuka lights during the week (i.e. except for Friday and Motza'ei Shabbat, when different factors affect the timing, as already discussed). Minhag Yerushalayim (which many, but not everyone follows) is to light with the setting of the sun. This year, the sun sets in Jerusalem over this 5-day period, 4:43 to 4:45. People in other locations should check when their local sunset is. The other opinion (that of "the rest of the world") is to light when the "light of the sun has left the sky", i.e. Stars-Out a.k.a. Tzeit HaKochavim). Remember that there are different opinions as to when Stars-Out occurs. Except for Motza'ei Shabbat, most people will use an early-ish Stars-Out time, in order to be closer to the Minhag Yerushalayim timing, and because Z'RIZIM MAKDIMIM, people who are enthusiastic about doing mitzvot, do them "right away". 5:05pm will work for this early Stars-Out time this Chanuka (except for Motza"Sh - as above). Those who light with Stars-Out should light right after Maariv, unless they have a fixed time later in the evening for davening, in which case they can light before. Those who light with sunset should daven Maariv at the appropriate time, obviously after candles. Candles must burn at least a half hour after stars-out. This was the original time period after dark that people were still around outdoors and defined the PIRSUMEI NISA aspect of the mitzva. Although in our day, people are out later than this time, the halacha only requires the half hour after stars-out. However, it is recommended that one use longer candles or more oil to extend this time (one need not go overboard on this issue, but...), in recognition of the expansion of the current-day Pirsumei Nisa time-frame. TO BE SPECIFIC: If one lights at 4:43 or 5:05 or earlier than sunset (remember, not before PLAG, 3:45pm) or as late as 5:20, then the candles should burn until at least 5:50pm, preferably somewhat longer. (Since Rabbeinu Tam's Stars-Out is approaching 6:00pm during Chanuka week (this year), one might try to have his Chanuka lights burn at least until 6:30-ish. This is not a requirement, but it does acknowledge the different opinions concerning Stars-Out. Treat this as an off-the-record suggestion, especially in light of the reality that the Pirsumei Nisa time is later into the night than it was in the time of the Gemara.) If someone lights after 5:20pm (and certainly if it is after 6:00pm), then the candles must last at least a half hour, regardless of what time one lit. (Preferably longer, as already mentioned.) For those who must light early, the earliest time one may light is PLAG MINCHA. For all of Chanuka, we can use 3:45pm as PLAG. As mentioned earlier, this time is padded slightly to avoid someone's being off a bit and lighting too early. Those lighting early should remember that the candles or oil must be able to last until the minimum half-hour after Stars-Out. If, because of one's work or travel schedule, one has to choose between lighting early or late, or between lighting early or appointing someone to light for you at the proper time, or between lighting late and appointing someone to light for you at the proper time - one should consult a Rav for a p'sak based on how early and how late, and any other relevant factors. Sometimes a less-than-perfect performance of a mitzva is a fine, acceptable "second best". Sometimes, not. Lighting Chanuka candles early or late is a poor second, at best. Lighting early lacks an element of Pirsumei Nisa at the time of lighting - which is when the mitzva is performed - because a candle flame is not eye-catching during full daylight. Lighting late is not so good because of the time-period for Pirsumei Nisa from the days of the Gemara remains the optimum time (and some say the ONLY time) for the fulfillment of the mitzva. Although we follow other opinions, and basically allow lighting any time of the night, it is far less than ideal to light late. A "good" excuse makes it okay, but not great. One should consult a Rav especially for recurring situations, such as coming home late from work or school, and the like. Remember that having someone light for you is a valid alternative to your lighting for yourself, and sometimes it is even the preferred alternative. Ask your Rav. POINT Brachot (including Shehechyanu) should be recited BEFORE beginning to light the candles. This complies with the general rule for Brachot of Mitzva, that they be recited immediately before performance of the mitzva, if possible. This means, that even on the eighth night, don't start lighting the candles until you finish both brachot. POINT Opinions differ, but a common practice is to place the first candle (or oil cup) in the right side of the Chanukiya. If one lights at the doorpost, then the first candle should be closest to the doorpost, even if it is the left side of the Chanukiya. From the second night on, the custom (one of the customs) is to "load" the Chanukiya from right to left, but to light it, left to right. At the doorpost, one loads it from the doorpost out, and lights it starting with the candle closest to the doorpost. Loading and lighting direction is not crucial to the performance of the mitzva, but there are reasons for the various practices. POINT The essential performance of the mitzva of Chanuka Lights is the lighting of a single candle each night, and the custom that we follow of increasing the number of candles each night is considered HIDUR MITZVA (enhancement of the mitzva). One practice that has developed because of this, is to begin reciting HANEIROT HALALU after the first candle is lit, while lighting the others. Alternatively, one can wait until the lighting is done to say HANEIROT HALALU. POINT One should not just light the Chanuka candles and then go on to business as usual, but rather one should look at the candles for a while, ponder G-d's miracles, spend some time with the family talking about the message of Chanuka and how it relates to our time, play a little dreidel, sing a song or two, have a snack, have some Chanuka fun. POINT It is recommended to learn some Torah, share a Dvar Torah, have a family shiur, or something like that, right after candle lighting. The decrees of the Greeks included a ban on Torah learning. Our celebration of Chanuka marks our freedom from Greek oppression, including the ability to learn Torah in public without fear. So let's do just that! POINT Notice on the "Chanuka Card" from this week's TT that the word SHEL in the first bracha is in parentheses. There is a dispute as to whether the bracha ends NER SHEL CHANUKA or NER CHANUKA. One should follow his own (or family) minhag, if you have one (and remember it). If not, you might want to ask your Rav which wording you should use. Indoor/Outdoor Many people who have come to Israel, still light inside, at the window, as they had in their countries of origin. Others have gone back to the original practice of lighting outdoors. It seems that the latter is the preferred method in Yerushalayim. If you are considering changing any aspect of your Chanuka candle lighting routine, (candle to oil or vice versa, sunset to stars-out or vice versa, indoors to outdoors or vice versa, window to door or vice versa, each family member to one for the family or vice versa, etc.) it is advisable to consult a Rav. These pages should be considered a review of some - but not all - of the many Chanuka topics. (Others might be included in the body of TT.) Often, different opinions were presented, but there were still sides of the different issues that were left out. It has been said often, but we repeat, it is best to consult your Rav to clear up any doubts you might have. Sunday thru Wednesday, 26-29 KISLEV (Dec. 17-20) - Full Hallel. One Sefer Torah. Three people to the "Tribal Leader" of the day (from Naso, Bamidbar 7). Each day's portion has 6 p'sukim. The first three are read for the Kohen, the next three for the Levi. The third Aliya is a repeat of the whole portion. (Outside of Israel, the third Aliya is the next day's portion.) Thursday and Friday, 30 KISLEV and 1 TEVET, - a.k.a. Rosh Chodesh Tevet (December 21,22) Two Torahs. Three people are called to the first Torah for the Rosh Chodesh reading. (Same reading as "regular" weekday Rosh Chodesh, except it is divided into three portions, rather than four, which makes repeating a pasuk or two unnecessary.) From the second Torah, we read a fourth Aliya from Naso - the Tribal Leader of the day. Musaf for Rosh Chodesh, with Al HaNisim for Chanuka. Friday, 1 TEVET (December 22nd) - See the lengthy presentation of the first Erev Shabbat-Chanuka - pretty much the same, except there is no need to set up candles for Motza'ei Shabbat. Shabbat, 2 TEVET (December 23rd) - Parshat HaShavua is Mikeitz. It is read from the first of the two Torahs. The Maftir, from the second Torah, is the longest Maftir there is. We read from Naso of the "Tribal Leader" of the eighth day, and we continue with the gifts of the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th days of the dedication of the Mishkan, then the summary of the animals, gold and silver, and spices given over the 12-day period, and we conclude with the first portion of B'HAALOTCHA, the portion of the Menora. The haftara for second Shabbat- Chanuka (18% frequency - there are rarer ones) is from M'lachim Alef, about the first Beit HaMikdash, including the 10 Menorot of Shlomo HaMelech. The Shabbat meals give us a wonderful opportunity to discuss and sing about G-d's miracles, then and now. Most common night for first candle is Sunday night. (30% of the time.) Then come Tuesday night and late Friday afternoon. (accounting for another 40% of the time.) On the rare side for first (and last candle) are Motza'ei Shabbat, Wednesday and Thursday nights (30% total). First candle is never on a Monday night. Tradition is to place the Chanukiya on the left side of the door. Generally, the right is honored. Chidushei HaRim points out that since the mitzva of Chanuka lights is to publicize to people in the street, the Chanukiya is actually on the right side as you leave the house. Mishlei 3:16 says: Long life in the right, and in the left - wealth and honor. The Chanukiya goes on the left (side of the door). Says the Chidushei HaRim - Chanuka is a SEGULA for wealth (and from here we also see a REMEZ to Chanuka Gelt) The sixth day of Chanuka is always Rosh Chodesh. The seventh day is Rosh Chodesh approx. 3/4 of the time. The 3rd of Tevet is Chanuka only 1/4 of the time. (not this year) Chanuka is the only holiday that does not follow the LO AD"U type of arrangement for days of the week. Chanuka contains two Shabbatot 18% of the time. Mikeitz is not Shabbat Chanuka only 10% of the time. The fifth day of Chanuka cannot be Shabbat - all other days of Chanuka can be. [The Parshat Vayeishev Homepage]
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