These notes are intended solely to aid in the learning process and should not be considered authoritative halachic conclusions
Please do not rely on these notes l’maaseh
וChelek 6
- Regarding the lamps for Shabbos, Yom Tov, and Chanuka the mitzva entails only the lighting, not the placement of the lamps. Therefore, as long as the lamp is in the correct place, you do not need to lift it and put it down for the sake of the mitzva. (ShA – MB , )
- The Chanuka menorah should be placed down, not held, before lighting and not moved for the entire duration of the mitzva. This applies to a shul menorah as well. (ShA – MB , )
- You must have enough oil in the lamp to last the duration of the mitzva before you go to light. Do not say the berachos, light, and then add the oil that you need. (ShA )
- Technically speaking , a woman can say the berachos and light the Chanuka lamps and be motzi the entire household. They have the same obligation as men do. This should only be done if the husband is not at home. (ShA – MB – BeH “isha”)
- According to minhag Ashkenaz everyone in the house must light their own menorah. This does not include women. If women want to light their own, they should say the berachos. (MB )
- A blind person should have someone else in the household light for him. If he lives alone someone should come help him light but without a beracha. Even better would be for him to move into a friend’s house , contribute a few coins, and be yotzay with his friend’s berachos and lighting. (MB )
- All who are gathered at the lighting and listen to the berachos are yotzay (even without responding omayn). (MB )
- A koton should not light for the household even if he has reached the age of chinuch. (MB )
- According to minhag Ashkenaz, a koton who has reached the age of chinuch should light his own lamp. However it is not necessary for him to light more than one lamp each night. (Rama – MB )
- A ger can say the nusach “she’osa nissim la’avosaynu”. (MB )