Tonight we light the first Ner of Chanukah. I thought it might be of interest to discuss the question of lighting the Menorah on Erev Shabbos. How can one be Yotze the Mitzva if we are lighting the Menorah on Friday? The Mitzvah is fulfilled at the moment of lighting (Hadlaka Osah Mitzva). This means that the Mitzvah was actually done before the day of Chanukah, this year before Chanukah actually begins.
The answer is that we have no choice. Since the actual first day begins on Shabbos itself, lighting the Menorah on that day would be a desecration of Shabbos. So we light it earlier at such time when it is permitted and yet as close to Shabbos as possible. And we make sure that there is enough oil or candle to burn … Ad She Tichle Regel min HaShuk (when people usually finish walking in the street) which according to most Shitos is one half hour after Tzeis. This is the time when Persumei Nisa is extant.
But one may not light the Menorah any earlier than Plag HaMincha which is defined as an hour and a quarter (Shaos Zmanios) before Shkia (sunset). This is based on the position of the Tanna, R. Yehuda who says that Plag HaMincha begins the Zman Maariv and ends the Zman Mincha.
(The rationale is as follows: Teffilas Mincha represents the Tamid Shel Bein HaArbaim whose Zman ends at Plag. And the Ner of Chanuka corresponds to the lighting of Menorah in the Beis HaMikdash whose Zman begins immediately after the Korban Tamid … when Plag begins).
This allows it in at least some minimal way to be considered lighting in its proper time. And certainly Mincha should therefore be Davened before Hadlakos Neros on Chanukah.
The question arises, if we are relying on Plag HaMincha to be define the Zman Maariv, How can we light the Menorah and then go Daven Mincha in Shul afterwards? This is in fact an almost universal practice. Is this not in effect a Tarti D’Sasri? Aren’t we creating a contradictory situation by lighting in the Zman Maariv and then Davening Mincha, which Halachicly must be done during the day before the Zman Maariv? The answer is: yes we are. So how is it that this is almost the universal custom?
In fact some Shuls now offer early Mincha on Fridays of Chanukah so as to avoid this contradictory situation. But the vast majority before Shuls don’t. Besides, during this time of year it would be extremely difficult getting home early enough to Daven Mincha before Hadlakas Neros.
Should one then Daven Mincha B’Yechidis (without a Minyan) in order to avoid this contradictory situation?
The answer is No. One should not be Mevatel Teffila B’Tzibur if one cannot Daven Mincha before Hadlakos Neros. If one cannot find a Minyan before Hadlakos Neros, one should light first and Daven B’Tzibur afterwards. Though the above is a nice Drasha, it is not Meakev Teffila B’Tzibur.
