D. When to light in Shul:[1]

Between Mincha and Maariv:[2] It is customary to light the Menorah in Shul between Mincha and Maariv [in the presence of a Minyan[3]].[4] [The custom in the Rebbe’s Shul is to light the Menorah after Kaddish Tiskabel of Mincha, prior to the prayer of Aleinu.[5]]

Erev Shabbos:[6] Some are accustomed on Erev Shabbos to light the Menorah in Shul prior to Mincha. [It is lit with a blessing, even if a Minyan is not yet present.[7]] It is not necessary for the congregation to wait until all the candles are lit, and rather as soon as one candle is lit the Chazan may begin Shemoneh Esrei.[8] [Others[9] are accustomed to light the Menorah on Erev Shabbos between Mincha and Maariv, as is usually done during the week.[10] Practically, the Chabad custom is to light the Menorah after Mincha and then return home and light the Chanukah candles and Shabbos candles.[11] It is customary to Daven an early Mincha on Erev Shabbos for this purpose.]

Motzei Shabbos:[12] On Motzei Shabbos, the Shul Chanukah candles are lit after Maariv [before Aleinu[13]], prior to Havdala.[14]

[1] 671:7

[2] Rama ibid

[3] M”B 671:46

[4] The reason: This applies even according to those who are accustomed to light after nightfall, as one is to light the Shul’s Menorah when the Minyan is present, and the miracle is consequently publicized. Likewise, it is improper to delay the lighting until after Maariv, being that everyone must return home to light at that time. [M”B ibid; See Levush; Kaf Hachaim 671:77] See Zivcheiy Tzedek 2:30 regarding why according to all one may light in Shul after Pelag, before night, even though in general we only allow lighting in Pelag in a case of need.

[5] Shevach Hamoadim 7:3; See Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:336 regarding saying it before Kaddish Tiskabel, in order so it be considered part of the communal prayers. See Piskeiy Teshuvos 681:1

[6] Rama ibid; Rashal 85; Kol Bo; Abudarham

[7] M”A 5671:10; M”B 671:47; Drashos Maharil Chanukah; Chayeh Adam 154:17; brought in Kaf Hachaim 671:78

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule one is not to recite a blessing if the Minyan is not present. [Kaf Hachaim ibid]

[8] Rama ibid; Maharil

[9] Darkei Moshe 671:5; M”B 671:47; ; Implication of Levush and Chayeh Adam

[10] The reason: This custom is followed also on Erev Shabbos, in order to publicize the miracle to the public. Nevertheless, if there is not enough time left after Mincha to light the candles, then it is certainly to be lit prior to Mincha, even if there is no one around, as the miracle will be publicized when people come to Shul for the Minyan. [ibid]

[11] Sefer Haminhagim p. 160 [English]

[12] Michaber ibid; M”B 681:3; Sefer Haminhagim p. 160 [English]

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule one is to first recite Havdalah and then light the Chanukah candles, as Havdalah is a more frequent Mitzvah and thus takes precedence. [Taz 681:1] The custom of the world is not like this opinion regarding the Shul lighting and hence one should not change the custom. [M”B ibid]

[13] So is the custom in Beis Chayeinu. [Shevach Hamoadim 7:3]

[14] The reason: As it is a Mitzvah to delay the leave of Shabbos as much as possible, as well as that the lighting of the candles contains the Mitzvah of publicizing the miracle. [M”B 681:2]

[15] Michaber 672:1 [that the earliest one can light is from Plag Hamincha]; Sichos Kodesh 1963 p. 401 “The Rebbe told Rav Shmuel Lavitin that during Chanukah one must Daven Mincha at 3:30 so the lighting will be past Plag Hamincha”; Hiskashrus 908; See Igros Kodesh 10:228; Kfar Chabad 740:76

[16] Heard from Harav Y.L. Groner; Nitei Gavriel 41:2 footnote 2; Plag Hamincha was usually at 3:30. Harav Ashkenazi writes that the candles are lit before Pelag Hamincha. Vetzaruch Iyun as to why he wrote this!

[17] Mishnas Sachir 202; Piskeiy Teshuvos 671:16