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Positioning the Menorah:

A. What direction should the Menorah face?[1]

[The Menorah may face whatever direction one desires.] We do not make a point of placing the Menorah in either a north-south or east-west direction. This is unlike the custom followed in Shul in which the Menorah is placed from east to west, similar to the Menorah in the Beis Mikdash.[2]

When placing the Menorah in the doorway, should the Menorah be positioned vertical to the doorway or horizontal? Some Poskim[3] rule that the Menorah is to be placed in a vertical fashion, within the width of the doorway, hence having the outer branches of the menorah extend pass the space of the doorpost. [Exhibit A] Other Poskim[4], however, rule that it is to be positioned horizontally, having its entire width within the width of the doorway. [Exhibit B]

 

B. Height from ground:[5]

The candles are to be placed between three to ten Tefachim above the ground [24-80cm.[6]].[7] It is not to be placed lower than three[8] Tefach and is a Mitzvah not to be placed higher than ten Tefach.[9] This applies even if one lights the candles inside his house.[10] If one placed the Menorah above ten Tefachim he has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation.[11] Likewise, if one placed the Menorah below three Tefachim, he nevertheless fulfills his obligation.[12] [Some Poskim[13] rule the Menorah is initially to be placed higher than seven Tefach from the ground. Other Poskim[14], however, rule it is initially to be placed exactly three Tefach from the ground. Practically, it is not necessary to follow either of these opinions so long as the Menorah is between 3-10 Tefach from the ground[15], and the Chabad custom is not to be particular in this matter.[16]]

Window: Those who light by the window [as explained in Halacha 9A] are to do so even if the window sill is higher than 10 Tefach from the floor [of the house[17]].[18] If, however, one has two windows, one that is higher than ten Tefachim from the ground and one that is lower, then certainly the candles are to be lit by the lower window sill.[19] It is not necessary for the Menorah to be above three Tefach from the window sill.[20] Although, it is preferably to be higher than three Tefachim from the floor of the home.[21] [See Q&A regarding if the window is 20 Amos from the street!]

Shul:[22] It is customary for the Menorah in Shul to be placed higher than ten Tefachim from the ground.

Placing the Menorah 20 Amos from the ground:[23] The Menorah may not be placed higher than twenty Amos [9.6 meters or 31.5 feet[24]] from the ground. If it was placed higher than twenty Amos from the ground, one does not fulfilled his obligation.[25] This applies whether one is lighting outside the front door of the house, or inside his house.[26] If one lit the candles above 20 Amos, and then placed it in the proper area, it is invalid.[27] [When lighting outside the front door of one’s home which faces towards the outside, or by a window that faces the public, the above height is measured from the ground floor of the outside, and not from the floor of the home.[28] However, one who is lighting inside his house and not by a window that faces the public, measures the 20 Amos from the floor of his house and not from the street level. Thus, one who lives in a very tall building, may light candles in his upper floor apartment, even though it is twenty Amos above street level.[29]]

Summary: The candles are initially to be positioned between three and ten Tefachim from the floor. The candles must be positioned within 20 Amos from the street floor for those who light towards the outside, and 20 Amos from the floor of the home, for those who light in their home, by the doorpost.   Q&A Must the actual flame be below ten Tefachim from the ground?[30] Initially, both the Menorah and its flame is to be within 10 Tefachim from the ground.   Must the actual Menorah reach above three Tefachim from the ground, or only the flame? Some Poskim[31] rule it is not necessary for the body of the Menorah to be above three Tefachim from the ground, so long as the actual flames are above three Tefachim. Other Poskim[32], however, rule that also the body of the Menorah is to be above three Tefachim from the ground, and doing so is of greater importance than having the flame be within ten Tefachim. According to this latter opinion, the Menorah is to be placed on a stool which reaches three Tefachim from the ground.   May the actual Menorah be placed on the ground, if its height reaches three Tefachim above the ground?[33] In all cases, it is proper not to place the Menorah directly on the floor even if it reaches a height above three Tefachim.   May the actual flame reach above 20 Amos from the ground if the Menorah is within 20 Amos?[34] The flame may not reach 20 Amos above the ground and if it does the lighting is invalid.   If one lit the Menorah 20 Amos above ground level, must he relight the candles with a blessing? One is to relight the candles with a blessing.[35] Some Poskim[36] however rule, that this only applies if one removed his mind from the candles after lighting them the first time; if, however, he realized his mistake immediately after the lighting, the blessing is not to be repeated.    Is a public Menorah to be within 20 Amos from the ground? Yes. This includes even the flame, as explained above, and especially applies according to those who are accustomed to recite a blessing over it. Accordingly, the maximum height of the Menorah and candles is 32.5 feet from the ground.   May one light by the window of his apartment if it is 20 Amos above the street?[37] If the window is 20 Amos above ground [from where people walk], then it is to be lit by the doorpost, as stated above.

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[1] Sefer Haminhagim p. 158 [English]

[2] See Rama 671:7

[3] Opinion in M”A 676:4; Mateh Moshe, brought in M”A ibid and Admur in Siddur, as understood from Shaar Hakolel 46:1 and Nitei Gavriel 28:3 p. 178 and Piskeiy Teshuvos 676:6; See Kaf Hachaim 676:32

Background:

The M”A ibid mentions the opinion of the Rashal 85 and Bach 676 versus the opinion of the Mateh Moshe in name of Rashal; It is unclear to me from the description as to which position each opinion holds of. [See Machatzis Hashekel ibid who implies that according to the Rashal and Bach it is placed in this position, while according to the Mateh Moshe in name of Rashal it is placed horizontal, as brought in the next position. However, see Levushei Serud ibid who implies the opposite, and so is implied from Shaar Hakolel ibid who learns in Admur in the Siddur, who rules like the Mateh Moshe, that it is placed vertical. The Nitei Gavriel ibid likewise understands the ruling of the M”A 676:4 in name of the Mateh Moshe, and the ruling of Admur in Siddur, that the Menorah is to be positioned vertically, with its length placed to the width of the doorway hence having the ends of the Menorah protruding out of the doorway, and so also learns Piskeiy Teshuvos 676:6.

[4] Opinion in M”A 676:4; Understanding of Machatzis Hashekel in the Mateh Moshe in the M”A ibid [see previous footnote]; Chayeh Adam 154:43; M”B 676:9

[5] 671:6; Tur in name of Maharam Rothenberg

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule the Menorah is to be between 10-18 Tefachim from the ground. [Shaareiy Teshuvah 671:8 in name of Seder Hayom]

[6] So is according to Shiureiy Torah of Grach Na’ah; According to Chazon Ish, the measurement is between 28.8-96 cm; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 671:7 that one may be lenient like whatever opinion he chooses regarding Rabbinical matters, such as Chanukah

[7] Michaber ibid “It is placed higher than three Tefach from the ground, and is a Mitzvah to be placed lower than ten Tefach from the ground.”

One who is lighting on stairs: Stairs that are used for walking, are to have their 3-10 Tefach measured from the floor. [See Aruch Hashulchan 671:22; Piskeiy Teshuvos 671:9]

[8] The reason for higher than three: As if the candles are placed lower than three Tefachim, it appears as if it was placed on the ground, and is not recognizable that the person lit it there. [Bach brought in M”B 671:26; Levush; Peri Chadash 671; Beis Yosef; Kaf Hachaim 671:45]

[9] The reason for lower than ten: As there is greater publication of the miracle when the Menorah is placed lower than ten Tefachim, as a candle that is lit for its light is not lit so low. [Bach brought in M”B 671:27; Levush; Kaf Hachaim 671:47] For the reason according to Kaballah-See Peri Eitz Chaim 19:4; Kaf Hachaim 671:46

[10] Tur; Beis Yosef “So is custom of all the meticulous”; M”B 671:27; Kaf Hachaim 671:48

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that those who light inside the house, may position the Menorah higher than ten Tefachim. [Elya Raba in name of Mordechai that so is custom, brought in Machatzis Hashekel 671:6 and M”B ibid] Practically, one is not to rely on this ruling, as it opposes the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch and Arizal. [Kaf Hachaim 671:48]

[11] Peri Chadash 671; P”M 671 A”A 6; M”B 671:26; Kaf Hachaim 671:50

[12] M”B 671:21

[13] Tur Barekes brought in Shaarei Teshuvah 671:8; Ben Ish Chaiy Vayeishev 5 based on Arizal; Shomer Emunim 5; Machazik Bracha 671:3 brought in Kaf Hachaim 671:46

[14] Shomer Emunim 65

[15] Kaf Hachaim 671:46 that based on Arizal there is no purpose of placing it higher than seven Tefachim, and so long as it is between 3-10 Tefachim it is initially valid.

[16] Sefer Haminhagim p. [English] “It is not necessarily higher than seven tefachim [seven handbreadths, viz., 56cm.] nor necessarily approximating a height of three tefachim [viz., 24cm.].”

[17] P”M 671 A”A 6

[18] M”A 671:6; Elya Raba; Chayeh Adam 154:16; M”B 671:27; Kaf Hachaim 671:48

Other Poskim: Some Poskim question that perhaps it is better to place the Menorah by the door, lower than ten Tefachim, then by a window of ten Tefachim. [P”M, brought in Shaar Hatziyon 671:30

[19] Machatzis Hashekel ibid; M”B 671:27

[20] Aruch Hashulchan 671:22

[21] M”B 671:27

[22] P”M 675 A”A 2; M”B 671:27; Mor Uketzia 675; Kaf Hachaim 671:49

[23] 671:7; Shabbos 22a

[24] So is according to Shiureiy Torah of Grach Na’ah; According to Chazon Ish, the measurement is 11.52 meters, or 37.8 feet; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 671:7 that one may be lenient like whatever opinion he chooses regarding Rabbinical matters, such as Chanukah

[25] The reason: As the eye does not focus on a height above 20 Amos from the ground, and it thus lacks the publication of the miracle. [Rashi Shabbos ibid; M”B 671:28; Kaf Hachaim 671:51]

[26] Tur; Bach; Taz 671:5; Peri Chadash 671; Elya Raba 671:12; P”M 671 M”Z 5; M”B 671:28; Kaf Hachaim 671:51

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that if one is lighting inside his house, it is permitted for the candles to be over 20 Amos above the floor. [Rabbeinu Yoel Halevi brought in Tur]

[27] Rama ibid

The reason: As it is the lighting that performs the Mitzvah. [ibid]

[28] See Q&A!

The reason: As when lighting towards the outside, its purpose is for the public to see the Menorah, and if it is above 20 Amos from the ground, they cannot see the Menorah. [Kaf Hachaim 671:48]

[29] Machatzis Hashekel 671:6; Kaf Hachaim 671:48

[30] Aruch Hashulchan 671:22; Kaf Hachaim 671:52 based on P”M 671 M”Z 5; Shaar Hatziyon 671:33; Divrei Yatziv 2:284; Minchas Yitzchak 6:65; Az Nidbaru 5:37; Lehoros Nassan 4:63; Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:343; Piskeiy Teshuvos 671:9

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that so long as the bottom part of the Menorah is within 10 Tefachim, it is valid, even if the upper part of the Menorah reaches above ten Tefachim. [Leket Yosher in name of Terumos Hadeshen, brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 671 footnote 36] There were Chassidic masters who would have Menorah’s that reach above ten Tefach from the ground. [See Nitei Gavriel Chanukah 5 footnote 24]

[31] Lehoros Nassan 4:63; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 671:9

[32] Kinyan Torah 1:131

[33] Piskeiy Teshuvos 671:9

[34] P”M 671 M”Z 5; Shaar Hatziyon 671:33; Kaf Hachaim 671:52

[35] Peri Chadash; M”B 671:29

[36] Kaf Hachaim 671:53; See P”M 671 A”A 7

[37] Peri Chadash; Chayeh Adam 154:16; Machatzis Hashekel 671:6; Pischeiy Teshuvah; Shaar Hatziyon 671:42; Kaf Hachaim 671:39; 48; Piskeiy Teshuvos 671:8; See Likkutei Sichos 5:456

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that even in such a case, one is to light by the window, as there is some publication to the public. [P”M 672 M”Z 5]

If there are other buildings of the same height opposite one’s window: If there are other tall building opposite one’s window which is above 20 Amos from the ground, some Poskim rule that one may light by his window, rather than inside, as it is within eyes view of the inhabitants of the other building, and hence performs Pirsumei Nissa. [Shevet Halevi 4:65] Other Poskim, however, rule that this does not suffice, as the publication must be to people walking by, and hence one should light the candles inside the home. [Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:343; Piskeiy Teshuvos 672:8 footnote 32 in name of Rav Elyashiv]

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