Moving the Hanukkah Candle from Its Place
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Question
Is it permissible to take the lit Hanukkah candles from their place and dance with them, and then return them to their place? And is there a difference in this matter between a private home and a synagogue?
Answer
Hello and Happy Hanukkah!
Regarding the Hanukkah candle lit at home, it is certainly forbidden to take and return it, as there is a specific place for lighting, and when it is taken from there, it nullifies the lighting. Additionally, when it is not placed in its location, it appears that the candle was lit for personal use and not for the sake of the mitzvah.
As for the candle in the synagogue, I did not find an explicit ruling. There is more leniency here, as the location is not as crucial, since it is done for publicizing to those in the synagogue.
After the time of obligatory lighting, there is no issue, as it can even be extinguished.
In places where there is no obligation to light at all, such as Hanukkah gatherings and the like, there is certainly no problem to lift and place it as desired.