Lighting candles by both entrances if one who has two entrances to his home

Lighting candles by both entrances if one who has two entrances to his home:[1]

A courtyard [or house[2]] that has two opening [to the public] from two different directions[3] is required to have a Menorah lit by both entrances.[4] One Menorah is lit with a blessing while the second is lit without a blessing.[5] If both openings are in the same direction, then it suffices to light one Menorah by one of the openings.[6] If however the two openings belong to two different homes, then both openings are obligated in having a Menorah.[7] Some Poskim[8] rule that this applies even if the two homes are owned by the same person. Other Poskim[9], however, are lenient if the two homes are owned by the same person.

The custom today:[10] In today’s times, that everyone lights inside the actual house and the public has no view of the candles at all, then even if the courtyard or house has many openings to the public, and from many different directions, nevertheless, one is only to light one set of candles inside the house. Practically, so is the custom.

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[1] Michaber 671:8; Shabbos 23a

[2] M”B 671:50; Kol Bo; Rama ibid in end of this Halacha

One who has two windows facing two different directions: Practically, he is not required to light in the two windows. See Piskeiy Teshuvos 672:17

[3] See Kaf Hachaim 671:85 regarding if one opening is by the east and one by the south.

[4] The reason: This is due to Chashad [Michaber ibid], that people who pass by one entrance and do not see the Menorah will think that he does not care to fulfill the Mitzvah. [M”A 671:12; M”B 671:51]

[5] Rama 671:8; Ran; See Kaf Hachaim 671:90 that if one household member lit with a blessing by one direction then the owner of the house may light in the other direction with a blessing.

[6] Michaber ibid; Gemara ibid

The reason: We do not suspect that people will think the other entrance is owned by another Jew and he did not light his candles, as the people in the area most probably know the residents of each house, and it is not common for strangers to walk outside at such late hours. [M”A 671:12; M”A 671:52]

[7] Rama ibid limits the above case that both openings belong “to a single home”; Kol Bo

[8] Darkei Moshe 671; Kol Bo, brought in M”A 671:13; Gr”a; M”B 671:53; Kaf Hachaim 671:89

[9] M”A 671:13, brought in M”B ibid

[10] Rama 671:8