Pirsumei Nissa
A major emphasis of Chanukah is Pirsumei Nissa. Most years this would include Menorah lightings in the most public places possible, and events which promote the spirit of Chanukah, however, due to the pandemic, it is more important to adhere to the Ministry of Health relevant for one’s country or city.
If permissible by the authorities, one should try to participate in these activities and help ensure their success, even if this requires postponing one’s personal Menorah lighting to a later hour.
The flames of the public Menorah must be no taller than twenty Amot (9.6 metres) from the ground.
The public Menorah should not be situated in a place where there is a strong possibility that it will be extinguished, e.g. by winds or vandals.
Since it is ideal for the Brachot to be recited when kindling a public Menorah, the lighting should be scheduled after Plag Hamincha, and the Menorah should have enough fuel to burn at least half-hour after Tzeit Hakochavim, just as with a personal Menorah. [Otherwise, the public Menorah should still be lit, but without the Brachot.]
The Brachot are recited when burning a liquid or solid fuel – as opposed to gas, butane, propane or electricity.
The Brachot are recited only by the one who is lighting the Menorah. [On the first night, he recites Shehecheyanu – even if he already recited it beforehand when lighting the Shul Menorah or at home.] The audience should be forewarned not to recite the Brachot along with him, but rather, just to answer Amen.
The flames should be lit without moving the lamps out of place.
Just as in Shul, one does not fulfil his obligation by attending (or lighting) a public Menorah. The participants should be made aware of this. [Even the one who kindles the public Menorah 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.]
One should try to reach out to those in hospitals, old-age homes and prisons.
When the person lighting the Menorah does not know the Brachot, one may prompt him word by word, or recite the Brachot on his or her behalf. [In the latter instance, if one will still need to fulfil the Mitzvah himself at a later time, he should have in mind to be Motzeh the listeners but not himself.]
Shehecheyanu is said the first time one fulfils the Mitzvah, even if it is after the first day of Chanukah.
When visiting a hospital or old age home, one should be mindful as to whether it is a place where the Brachot may be recited. If not, the Menorah should be lit without reciting the Brachot.
Gatherings should be arranged for adults and children, especially for those not yet familiar with Chanukah. The opportunity should be utilized to rejoice with them; to teach them about Chanukah; to share words of Torah; to light the Menorah and give Tzedakah with them; and to give them Chanukah Gelt.
Where possible, these gatherings should be scheduled to allow the Menorah to be lit after Plag Hamincha, so that the Brachot will be recited. If this is not practical, the Menorah should still be lit, but without the Brachot.
When distributing doughnuts, latkes or other food, one should ensure that the appropriate Brachot are made for each food item.
Tachnun & V’al Hanissim
Tachnun is not recited from Mincha of Erev Chanukah until after Chanukah.
V’al Hanissim is recited in each Amidah of Chanukah. [One should not intentionally skip V’al Hanissim to recite Kedushah or Modim with the Minyan.]
If one forgot V’al Hanissim at the appropriate place in the Amidah, he may recite it before saying Hashem’s name at the end of that Brachah. After that point, he does not recite it.
V’al Hanissim is recited each time one bentches during Chanukah. If one forgot V’al Hanissim at the appropriate place in bentching, he may recite it before saying Hashem’s name at the end of that Brachah. After that point, he may recite it as a Harachaman, as per the Nusach printed in some siddurim.
Hallel
Full Hallel is recited each day of Chanukah, right after The Amidah of Shacharit. If the Chazzan is a mourner (for a deceased parent) during the first eleven months, someone else takes over for Hallel, but not for the Kaddish which follows.
One must recite Hallel whilst standing unsupported. If this is not possible, or after the fact, the Mitzvah is fulfilled even if sitting.
One may not interrupt full Hallel other than for those things that one may respond to during the Brachot of Kriat Shema. [E.g. If the Chazzan recites Kaddish, one answers Amen Yehei Shmei etc, and Amen to d’amiran b’alma. One also answers Barchu and Amen when the Brachot are recited before and after an Aliyah, and may also recite the Brachot if he is called up for an Aliyah.]
It is preferable to recite Hallel with the Minyan. If one is not up to the Minyan, this creates a dilemma; on the one hand it is appropriate to recite Hallel with the congregation, and on the other hand, it is appropriate that one should daven in the correct order. One should therefore make a point of being up to the Minyan when Hallel is said.
If one forgot to recite Hallel, he should recite it with a Brachah as soon as he remembers, unless the sun already set.
If one mistakenly recited half-Hallel, he must repeat the entire Hallel (without a Brachah).
After Hallel, the Chazzan recites only half Kaddish. [If he mistakenly said Kaddish Titkabel, he should recite half Kaddish after U’va L’tziyon.]
