By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com This article is going to be controversial, but, here goes. Go to Eretz Yisroel for Chanukah, and you will see Lucite and or glass boxes containing Menorahs for outside lightings. There is, however, a major, major halachic hurdle that must be overcome for this type of lighting to be valid. But first, a slight introduction – then the hurdle. INTRODUCTION In the time of Chazal, the minhag, of course, was to light the menorah outside in the front courtyard. It was to be lit by the entranceway of the front yard – facing the street. This was on account of the fact that the maximum Pirsumei Nissah is when we light the Chanukah lamps outside. HURDLE The hurdle is that we rule (See Shulchan Aruch OC 675:2) “hadlakah oseh Mitzvah” – the Mitzvah happens at the exact moment of lighting. This means that if all that is necessary for the Chanukah lamps to be lit is not present at the exact moment of the lighting then that lighting is invalid. Thus, if there was not enough oil in the lamps to last for 30 minutes and that oil was added later – the Mitzvah has not been fulfilled. So what’s the hurdle? If at the point of lighting, the glass door is open – and the wind would put out the Chanukah lamps within thirty minutes, the subsequent closing of the glass door will not help. TWO WORKAROUNDS There is a type of glass container where the glass door is on the side – this averts the problem entirely. Another workaround is if one is careful to stand directly in front of the glass container in such a manner that his body entirely blocks off the wind. Since it is theoretically possible for him to stand there the entire thirty minutes – it would still fulfill the idea of “hadlaka oseh Mitzvah.” It should also be noted that Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank zt”l, in his Mikraei Kodesh (#16), makes an inference from the Shiltei Giborim (Shabbos 21b) to permit it. The Shiltei Giborim writes that if someone lit and it went out, he must go back and relight it. Rav Frank infers that if he lit and it did not go out, it must be that the Shiltei Giborim holds that the Mitzvah has been fulfilled! Some, however, are of the opinion that this inference is somewhat tenuous. OUTSIDE OF ISRAEL When Jews started living among the gentiles, the minhag changed to light in the house on account of danger. Nowadays, the main pirsumei nissa, publicizing the miracle, is for one’s own family members. When did this change happen? The Meiri, who lives some 750 years ago, seems to indicate that the change had happened already during his time (See Shabbos 21b). The Ohr Zaruah (323:2), the Ravyah (Hilchos Chanukah 843) and the Baal HaIttur – all clearly state the change. WHY DO WE NOT GO BACK? The question arises as to why we do not go back to the original custom in situations where, baruch Hashem, there is no longer a physical danger. There are many neighborhoods in the United States such as in Kiryas Yoel, Lakewood, Boro Park, Williamsburg, Monsey and Far Rockaway where there are entire locations of just Jewish homes. […]

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