Section: Questions Category: Halacha
TAGS:Channuka electricity | Halacha - Chanukah lights | | Submitted by Tzvi Schneider Answered by Rav Peretz Moncharsh | | Question: Lichvod ha'Rav: If nothing else available... can I turn on a light in the ceiling in my room (and fulfill the mitzvah)?
| | Answer: If literally nothing else is available it can't hurt, but you certainly should not say a beracha.In general an electric menora, while permitted by some authorities, is problematic for a number of reasons. It is unclear if the filament qualifies as a valid wick or if the electricity is acceptable as a fuel, additionally the spiral filament may be an avuka which is not valid for Channuka. Furthermore there is not a half hour of fuel present at the time of lighting, and it is not unanimously accepted that an incandescent bulb is a "fire". Based on all these factors, one should never make a beracha on an electric menora. However using the standard fixture in your room provides an added complication. The primary purpose of kindling lights on Channuka is pirsumei nissa, publicizing the miracle, and turning on the regular light is indistinguishable from what you would do every day and does not serve this purpose, your intentions aside.
| | posted:2009-12-14 14:35:12 |
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