Post by medic09 on Dec 14, 2009 15:39:45 GMT -5
As always, I am just sharing my thoughts to stimulate learning Torah. One should always consult their LOR before taking any action.
Applied Halacha: Nurses and Others Working Nights During Hanukah
The principle obligation of ner Hanukah, lighting a lamp or light for Hanukah, is one which applies to every adult Jew, man or woman. For a Jew who works nights and may not be home when it is time to light ner Hanukah, there are several considerations to be made.
If one lives with other adult household members (spouse, children, parents, roommate, landlord, etc.) then the obligation to light may be fulfilled even in one’s complete absence. In other words, if the shift begins at such a time that one cannot be home to light, one’s obligation is nonetheless fulfilled when other members of the household light. True, one misses the pleasure and inspiration of the ner Hanukah; but mitzvot lav lehenot nitnu - the commandments aren’t given primarily for one’s pleasure, and the obligation of pirsumei nisa - publicizing the miracle is fulfilled even in one’s absence.
The primary obligation is to light outdoors at one’s doorway or entrance to the property. People who are afraid to light outdoors may light inside, as will those who live high up in high rise buildings. This is relevant to another potential solution. Once the pirsumei nisa - publicizing the miracle - is only for one’s household, we may be more lenient about the time to light. Ab initio one should light on time in any case. Since, however, one is lighting indoors and only the family members will see, it is possible to wait and light later as long as family members are awake to participate. So, one who comes home in the middle of the night (such as from a shift running 15:00 - 23:00) might delay lighting and light with the household at that point. Again, it is preferred that they light earlier and on time; but this other possibility exists.
A patient staying in the hospital might argue he has the status of an achsanai - a boarder - and may fulfill his obligation lighting in the hospital (disregarding for the moment the safety issues and restrictions). This probably cannot apply to an employee, however. Therefore, just as one does not fulfill the obligation for ner Hanukah with the lighting done in the beit knesset/synagogue; one should not rely on the lighting in the hospital foyer, on the nursing floor/ward, etc. What’s more, since the custom to light in a public place is originally intended for a synagogue (and its beginnings are not clear), lighting in another public place such as the hospital, town square, etc. should possibly not be done at all, or should at least be done without the b’rachot/blessings. Of course, one should consult their LOR on this, as all matters of halacha. Clearly, there are some different approaches to this matter.
Concerning an electric menorah/hanukiah, the predominant view is that one does not fulfill the obligation for ner Hanukah in this manner. If someone cannot light a flame because of safety restrictions, such as a patient in hospital, and if no one is at home lighting on their behalf; then lighting an electric menorah in the patient’s room without the b’rachot/blessings may be advisable. There isn’t enough support for the idea of an electric ner hanukah in the halachic literature to warrant saying b’rachot for it. (Of course, the hospital biomed people may object to bringing any electric appliance into a room for use, including a menorah for Hanukah. That is not at issue here.)
Unlike and incomparable to non-Jewish holiday decorations, the ner Hanukah is a mitzvah. It is a distinct religious obligation with requirements of its own. As such, it is an interesting question if the ner Hanukah should or should not be lit in a place such as a hospital floor where the only purpose may be decoration. On the one hand, it may somehow be detracting from its importance by treating it as a mere decoration like others. It may also be misrepresenting the requirements of ner Hanukah - when, where, and how it is lit. It may, however, have a positive effect on the morale of the Jewish patients (and staff) which has a particular importance where we want to maximize every factor that can contribute to the patients’ healing and recovery. A better solution may be other sorts of decorations in honor of Hanukah which will be seen as festive without being mistaken as specifically religious objects. The role of an electric menorah is questionable in this case, for the reasons noted; but may serve the purpose well in the end.
Applied Halacha: Nurses and Others Working Nights During Hanukah
The principle obligation of ner Hanukah, lighting a lamp or light for Hanukah, is one which applies to every adult Jew, man or woman. For a Jew who works nights and may not be home when it is time to light ner Hanukah, there are several considerations to be made.
If one lives with other adult household members (spouse, children, parents, roommate, landlord, etc.) then the obligation to light may be fulfilled even in one’s complete absence. In other words, if the shift begins at such a time that one cannot be home to light, one’s obligation is nonetheless fulfilled when other members of the household light. True, one misses the pleasure and inspiration of the ner Hanukah; but mitzvot lav lehenot nitnu - the commandments aren’t given primarily for one’s pleasure, and the obligation of pirsumei nisa - publicizing the miracle is fulfilled even in one’s absence.
The primary obligation is to light outdoors at one’s doorway or entrance to the property. People who are afraid to light outdoors may light inside, as will those who live high up in high rise buildings. This is relevant to another potential solution. Once the pirsumei nisa - publicizing the miracle - is only for one’s household, we may be more lenient about the time to light. Ab initio one should light on time in any case. Since, however, one is lighting indoors and only the family members will see, it is possible to wait and light later as long as family members are awake to participate. So, one who comes home in the middle of the night (such as from a shift running 15:00 - 23:00) might delay lighting and light with the household at that point. Again, it is preferred that they light earlier and on time; but this other possibility exists.
A patient staying in the hospital might argue he has the status of an achsanai - a boarder - and may fulfill his obligation lighting in the hospital (disregarding for the moment the safety issues and restrictions). This probably cannot apply to an employee, however. Therefore, just as one does not fulfill the obligation for ner Hanukah with the lighting done in the beit knesset/synagogue; one should not rely on the lighting in the hospital foyer, on the nursing floor/ward, etc. What’s more, since the custom to light in a public place is originally intended for a synagogue (and its beginnings are not clear), lighting in another public place such as the hospital, town square, etc. should possibly not be done at all, or should at least be done without the b’rachot/blessings. Of course, one should consult their LOR on this, as all matters of halacha. Clearly, there are some different approaches to this matter.
Concerning an electric menorah/hanukiah, the predominant view is that one does not fulfill the obligation for ner Hanukah in this manner. If someone cannot light a flame because of safety restrictions, such as a patient in hospital, and if no one is at home lighting on their behalf; then lighting an electric menorah in the patient’s room without the b’rachot/blessings may be advisable. There isn’t enough support for the idea of an electric ner hanukah in the halachic literature to warrant saying b’rachot for it. (Of course, the hospital biomed people may object to bringing any electric appliance into a room for use, including a menorah for Hanukah. That is not at issue here.)
Unlike and incomparable to non-Jewish holiday decorations, the ner Hanukah is a mitzvah. It is a distinct religious obligation with requirements of its own. As such, it is an interesting question if the ner Hanukah should or should not be lit in a place such as a hospital floor where the only purpose may be decoration. On the one hand, it may somehow be detracting from its importance by treating it as a mere decoration like others. It may also be misrepresenting the requirements of ner Hanukah - when, where, and how it is lit. It may, however, have a positive effect on the morale of the Jewish patients (and staff) which has a particular importance where we want to maximize every factor that can contribute to the patients’ healing and recovery. A better solution may be other sorts of decorations in honor of Hanukah which will be seen as festive without being mistaken as specifically religious objects. The role of an electric menorah is questionable in this case, for the reasons noted; but may serve the purpose well in the end.