Participation of Boys in Lighting One Menorah
This question and answer were automatically translated using our trained AI and have not yet been reviewed by a qualified rabbi. Please treat this translation with caution.
go to original →
Question
We are a group of Sephardic yeshiva students, and we want to buy a bottle of oil together, and each day a different student will light for everyone. Is this acceptable, or does each person need to light on their own?
Answer
For Sephardim, according to the basic law, it is certainly permissible to rely on the participation of several boys together in one lighting. The Knesset HaGedolah holds that there is even no enhancement in lighting alone. However, in practice, there is an enhancement for each one to light by himself due to the opinion of the Maggid Mishneh and the Pri Chadash that participation with a prutah only benefits a guest and the homeowner. Additionally, there are those who believe there is an enhancement to light alone and not rely on participation (Tur, Siman 677, in the name of Rav Sher Shalom; Ritva, Shabbat 23). But since this entire law that Sephardic yeshiva students need to light is not so clear, one can rely on participation.
Source
Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim, Siman 677, paragraph 1); Knesset HaGedolah (there); Maggid Mishneh (Chanukah, chapter 4, law 4); Pri Chadash (there); Azmera Leshimcha (issue 118).
Comments

- Top halachic Q&A
- Practical festival halachot