Observing Hanukah in Apartment Buildings

 From RRW

Guest Blogger: Rabbi Daniel Kramer

Observing Hanukah in Apartment Buildings

The most essential mitzvah of Hanukah is lighting the menorah. Its purpose is "Pirsumay Neesa"--publicizing the miracle of the menorah in the Second Holy Temple at the time of the original Hanukah. Then, after the Maccabees defeated the Greeks who had defiled the Temple, a flask of pure olive oil, sufficient to burn only one day, burned for eight days in the menorah in the Temple until new, pure olive oil could be properly prepared.

To recall this miracle throughout the generations, originally and ideally, the menorah was kindled outside of one's home in front of the public thoroughfare, so that passers-by could see the menorah and remember the miracle that it commemorates.

There were times of pogroms in Jewish history when it was not safe in many locales to light the menorah so that it could be visibly seen on the outside. The Rabbis therefore shifted the primary purpose of Pirsumay Neesa from outdoors to indoors so that the requirement to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah could be fulfilled within one's own home with family members gazing at the menorah. The menorah could be lit in front of a window, so that it could be seen both by passers-by on the outside as well as by the members of the household within.

Another important principle that ensured that the Menorah could be easily seen is that it cannot be kindled more than 20 cubits above the ground, so that it was always within the natural line of sight. Our Rabbis determined that an "Amah"--a cubit--is approximately 1.5 to 2 feet long, so 20 cubits (Amot in Hebrew) equals 30 to 40 feet.

For those above the fourth floor in an apartment building, lighting indoors is therefore the primary means by which the mitzvah of Pirsumay Neesa is performed nowadays. In such a situation, if possible and safe, it is advantageous (but not required) to light the menorah next to the doorway, on the side opposite the mezuzah, so that one can be surrounded by mitzvot when entering the room, with the mezuzah on one door post and the menorah next to the opposite door post. (If there is any danger of a fire, the candles should not be unattended while they burn.)

Even those on lower floors, if the candles cannot be seen in the window from the street, such as some apartments where an outdoor railing is very high or covered, the candles are primarily lit to publicize the Hanukah miracle to those living within the apartment.

There is a situation which is prevalent in some apartment buildings and about which some may not be aware. Since the main mitzvah is to light the candles and publicize the miracle to others, this becomes a major problem for those who live alone in their apartment, especially if they are above the fourth floor. Such residents might light the candles in their apartment, but there is no one else to see them.

The following possible solution is in consonance with the spirit of Hanukah to perform acts of chesed to unite the Jewish community. Rabbi Paysach Krohn often mentions that "unity" is embedded in the word "community." [Each resident should consult his/her own rav for a final psak.]

To unite residents of a building even more and to create warmer neighborly relationships and to let them know that they are not alone and forgotten--wouldn't it be wonderful if we could reach out to our single neighbors and offer to stop by for a few moments while their Hanukah candles are burning to enable them to fulfill the mitzvah of Pirsumay Neesa? What a beautiful way to foster friendships amongst the Jewish residents in a building!

These visits could and should be made with the proper social distancing and masking.  My prayer is that by the next significant Jewish holiday, Purim, when masks are traditionally worn, that we may finally be able to take off our masks and celebrate the end of this pandemic. Then, with a full smile and warm embrace, we will be able to exchange Shalach Monot with our new-found friends and neighbors!

May your Hanukah observance and celebration be meaningfully uplifting, enjoyable, delicious and enlightening!

A FRAILECHEN--JOYOUS--HANUKAH

Doniel Z. Kramer