Post by medic09 on Dec 10, 2012 15:29:27 GMT -5
The clear majority of poskim do not allow use of an electric ner hanukah. The objections vary, having to do with the electric lamp not fulfilling different criteria from the g'mara having to do with wicks, fuels, or the form of the lamp. Notice that I said "do not allow"; and not "forbid". In fact, as mori Rav Nahum Eliezer Rabinowitz summarizes in his teshuva on this in Melumadei Milhama (siman 97), 'due to the lack of conclusive proofs' the poskim had to rely on various rationales to establish their opinons. Further he says, "It stands that there is no clear rationale to forbid or permit the use of electricity for ner hanukah." In a case where there are no clearly compelling halachic criteria, one must act according to the established custom - in this case, oil or candles. Relating to soldiers (the question came from a soldier) he says that if for security reasons a soldier may not light in the normal manner, he may use electricity without a b'rachah.
Rav Ovadiah Yosef, in two places in Yabia Omer volumes 3 and 4, summarizes the arguments of the poskim and concludes that if one could not light properly, then using an electric light without a b'rachah might be an option. I have been told that Rav Tzvi Pesah Frank had a similar conclusion.
On the other hand, Rav Yosef Messas (Morocco and later Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Haifa) in Mayim Haim was of the opinion that one may fulfill the mitzvah of ner hanukah with an electric light. He sees no question about it. Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach, in Halichot Sh'lomo, says that lacking any other option one might be able to light a battery powered flashlight and make a b'rachah (though elsewhere he makes clear his position that one should avoid using an electric lamp). Rav Yonah Metzger, in M'yam Ha-halachah writes regarding a soldier stuck in a tank that lacking any alternative there are those who would allow him to make a b'rachah on a flashlight, and that he should leave it lit for a half hour (the normal required time for ner hanukah).
It would seem, then, that residents or long term patients in a facility that prohibits lighting an open flame such as for ner Hanukah might need to consider the option of an electric lamp. Of course, one needs to ask their LOR; but this provides some food for thought and questions. I would be inclined to think that if a patient or resident has no one at home who is lighting, then using an electric 'menorah' would be an option. It seems from the analysis of Rav S.Z. Aurbach and others that a battery operated device might be preferable to one that plugs in the wall socket. Also, and possibly more importantly, it may be that one should prefer an incandescent bulb(s) to fluorescent, LED, or the like. Regarding a b'rachah, that is difficult. Based on Rav Messas and Rav Metzger, it seems that saying a b'rachah may be possible in a circumstance where the electric option is the only one.
Interestingly, I saw a responsum from Rav N.E. Rabinowitz that one might light with a blessing in the workplace. The circumstance was compared by him to lighting in the synagogue (based on the Aruch Hashulhan). IF there were a minyan present, and IF that included people who will not light otherwise at home for whatever reason, then it may be that one may light in the workplace with a b'rachah in the presence of the minyan and thus fulfill their obligation. See Shu't Siah Nahum Orah Haim siman 42. See there for details.
Rav Ovadiah Yosef, in two places in Yabia Omer volumes 3 and 4, summarizes the arguments of the poskim and concludes that if one could not light properly, then using an electric light without a b'rachah might be an option. I have been told that Rav Tzvi Pesah Frank had a similar conclusion.
On the other hand, Rav Yosef Messas (Morocco and later Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Haifa) in Mayim Haim was of the opinion that one may fulfill the mitzvah of ner hanukah with an electric light. He sees no question about it. Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach, in Halichot Sh'lomo, says that lacking any other option one might be able to light a battery powered flashlight and make a b'rachah (though elsewhere he makes clear his position that one should avoid using an electric lamp). Rav Yonah Metzger, in M'yam Ha-halachah writes regarding a soldier stuck in a tank that lacking any alternative there are those who would allow him to make a b'rachah on a flashlight, and that he should leave it lit for a half hour (the normal required time for ner hanukah).
It would seem, then, that residents or long term patients in a facility that prohibits lighting an open flame such as for ner Hanukah might need to consider the option of an electric lamp. Of course, one needs to ask their LOR; but this provides some food for thought and questions. I would be inclined to think that if a patient or resident has no one at home who is lighting, then using an electric 'menorah' would be an option. It seems from the analysis of Rav S.Z. Aurbach and others that a battery operated device might be preferable to one that plugs in the wall socket. Also, and possibly more importantly, it may be that one should prefer an incandescent bulb(s) to fluorescent, LED, or the like. Regarding a b'rachah, that is difficult. Based on Rav Messas and Rav Metzger, it seems that saying a b'rachah may be possible in a circumstance where the electric option is the only one.
Interestingly, I saw a responsum from Rav N.E. Rabinowitz that one might light with a blessing in the workplace. The circumstance was compared by him to lighting in the synagogue (based on the Aruch Hashulhan). IF there were a minyan present, and IF that included people who will not light otherwise at home for whatever reason, then it may be that one may light in the workplace with a b'rachah in the presence of the minyan and thus fulfill their obligation. See Shu't Siah Nahum Orah Haim siman 42. See there for details.
