Lighting in a Rear Window

Place and order of lighting Hanukkah candles

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Question

I live in an apartment building on the rear side of the building, and I have no window facing the street. The window is only visible to neighbors in the building opposite. Is it preferable for me to light downstairs at the entrance of the building, or should I light in the window of the house?

Answer

If you light at the entrance of the building, you fulfill the obligation. However, according to the more common custom, people light in the window because they are concerned with Rashi's opinion that it is not possible to light at the entrance of the building. Therefore, in this case as well, one should light in the window.

Source

Shabbat (21b) dispute of Rashi (there s.v. mibachutz) and Tosafot (there s.v. mitzvah); Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim, Siman 671, Paragraph 5); Azmera Leshimcha Bulletin (Issue 117).

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