Some candles manufactured for Chanukah typically burn for only half-hour. If these are lit before Tzeit Hakochavim, one would not be able to recite the Brachot. Furthermore, even if lighting after Tzeit Hakochavim, such candles tend to burn for less than half-hour in a warm environment. Therefore, longer lasting candles should be used. [When necessary, there is room to be lenient for a child under Bar Mitzvah who is unaware that the candles are burning less than they should.]
If one realized after lighting that there is insufficient oil, he should not merely add more oil. Instead, he must extinguish the flames, add more oil, and then relight the flames without the Brachot.
Menorah Lighting: When?
Many light the Menorah after Maariv and some light immediately after sunset, between Mincha and Maariv.
If that is not possible, one should light as soon as possible after that time. [Technically, one may light all night, until dawn. However, if very late, one should arrange for another person to be awake and present for the Menorah lighting.]
When lighting after Tzeit Hakochavim, one davens Maariv first, unless there is no Minyan scheduled until later, or unless he regularly davens with a Minyan that is scheduled later.
If one cannot light the Menorah at night, he may also light any time after Plag Hamincha. [In this case, one will need to use additional oil, enough to last until half-hour after Tzeit Hakochavim.]
One may not light before Plag Hamincha. If he did so, he must relight at the correct time, and recite the Brachot again.
Before Lighting
Once the sun sets, one may not perform any activity that might distract him from lighting the Menorah. Therefore, one may not eat more than 57 grams of bread, drink alcoholic beverages, perform work, or even study Torah. Similarly, one should not begin these activities within the half-hour period prior to sunset, unless he appoints a Shomer (guardian) to remind him to light the Menorah at sunset. Nevertheless, one may learn during this time.
If, for whatever reason, one began these activities within the half-hour period prior to sunset, he may continue until sunset. At that time, he must immediately stop whatever he is doing.
One may begin these activities before the half-hour period prior to sunset and continue until sunset. [Technically, he may continue even after sunset and light the Menorah afterwards. Nevertheless, it is commendable to stop as soon as the sun sets in order to light the Menorah.]
One may not take a nap within the half-hour period before sunset, or afterwards, until he lights the Menorah.
All the above applies to all men and women, even if he or she will discharge their obligation through watching or participating in someone else’s lighting of the Menorah. [Nevertheless, there is room to be lenient for those who are not actually lighting the Menorah themselves.]
Menorah Lighting: How?
Before making the Brachot, one lights the Shamash. While making the Brachot and lighting the flames, the Shamash is held in the right hand.
On the first night, three Brachot are said. On the following nights, only two Brachot are recited, as Shehecheyanu is omitted.
One must recite the Brachot and kindle the flames whilst standing unsupported, without leaning on anything. If this is not possible, or after the fact, the Mitzvah is fulfilled even if sitting.
After one completely finishes reciting all of the Brachot, the flames are lit without delay, from left to right.
One may not speak between the Brachot and the conclusion of lighting the Menorah. [If one did speak, he does not repeat the Brachot, unless he said something totally unrelated to the lighting of the Menorah, and he did so before kindling even one flame.]
Although the Menorah is not supposed to be moved once lit, one may move it a Tefach or two if this is necessary to facilitate its lighting, and then return it to its original position. (This may be practically relevant for someone who is infirm and cannot reach the Menorah.)
Some hold that Haneirot Halalu is said or sung after the first flame is lit and some hold that only after all the flames are completely lit and the Shamash is set down, followed by Maoz Tzur in many communities.
After Lighting
The flames should burn for at least 50 minutes in total, and for at least 30 minutes after Tzeit Hakochavim (whichever is longer).
If a flame extinguished during this time, it is appropriate to relight it (without reciting the Brachot).
During this time, the Chanukah flames may not be used for any purpose. This includes using a flame to light another Chanukah flame or the Shamash.
Similarly, benefit may not be derived from any of the light generated by the flames. This is one of the reasons why the Shamash flame is placed higher than the other flames, in order that any inadvertent benefit may be attributed to the Shamash. Nevertheless, one should not rely on the Shamash, and instead ensure that the room is well-lit.
The Menorah should not be moved during this time.
It is customary for women and men to refrain from any labor (i.e. sewing, knitting, laundering or ironing) during this time. It is also preferable to avoid leaving the house to go shopping, or the like.
One should sit by the Menorah for at least half-hour, and utilize the time for learning, or for Chanukah inspiration.
After the flames have burned for the required amount of time, the Menorah may be moved, even if the flames are still burning. Similarly, at this time, women may perform labor outside the view of the burning flames.
Even after the required amount of time has passed, it is still inappropriate to derive benefit from the flames or to extinguish them (unless leaving them unattended would create a safety hazard).
During Chanukah, the Menorah should not be used for any other purpose. Similarly, after the Menorah flames are extinguished, the leftover wicks and fuel should not be discarded or used for other purposes. Instead, it should be kept until the last day of Chanukah.
Shul Menorah
The Shul Menorah is situated at the southern side of the Shul, with the flames spanning east-west.
The Shul Menorah should be easily visible to the entire Shul. It is therefore placed higher than 10 Tefachim (80cm).
Except for Motzei Shabbat, the Shul Menorah is lit after Mincha and before Maariv. Some schedule Mincha so that the Menorah will be lit after Plag Hamincha, but before sunset.
The Shul Menorah is prepared before Mincha so as not to disturb anyone’s concentration during Mincha. Just as with a personal Menorah, it must be prepared with enough fuel to burn until at least half-hour after Tzeit Hakochavim.
At the end of Mincha, immediately before Aleinu, one of the congregants recites the Brachot and lights the Menorah. Afterwards, all present say or sing Haneirot Halalu (and Maoz Tzur), followed by Aleinu.
On the first night of Chanukah, the Shul Menorah should not be lit by an Avel (within 12 months of a parent’s passing or within 30 days of a spouse, child or sibling’s passing).
One does not fulfil his obligation with the Menorah that is lit in Shul. Even the one who kindles the Menorah in Shul must relight at home, with the Brachot. [On the first night, he does not repeat Shehecheyanu, unless he is also lighting on behalf of others who have not yet fulfilled their obligation.]
Throughout the 24 hours of each day of Chanukah, the flames of the Shul Menorah (including the Shamash) remain lit whenever people are present in the Shul, provided that there are no safety concerns. At the very least, the flames should remain lit during the times of davening. [If the flames need to be relit during the course of the 24 hours, they are lit with a Shamash, but without reciting the Brachot.]
