Hadlaka for the Hospitalized and Housestaff

Chaza”l instituted that every person must light Ner Chanuka to publicize the miracle. This applies to hospitalized patients and medical personnel. The following are instructions for lighting Ner Chanuka in a hospital:

• Due to safety concerns, hospitals forbid lighting in the wards. Accordingly, the Poskim rule that lighting in a ward is a Mitzva haBa’a b’Avera. One may not light Ner Chanuka and extinguish it immediately since the Neiros must burn for a minimum length of time to fulfill the obligation.
• Many hospitals in Eretz Yisrael arrange lighting stations in each department (e.g., at the nurse’s station). Medical personnel who remain in the hospital overnight and patients (along with their family or caregivers) who eat with them are all Yotzei with this lighting.
• In the situation above, it is preferable for the hospital administration to grant all the people above a portion of the oil and wicks. If this is not possible, anyone who wishes to be Yotzei with the lighting should participate in a collective purchase of the Neiros.
• The person who lights those Neiros should intend to act as a Sh’liach for anyone who wants to be Yotzei with the lighting.
• The people who want to be Yotzei with this lighting should have Kavana to do so. Lechatchila, they should be present at the time of lighting and hear the Brachos. Bedi’eved, they are Yotzei even if they did not hear the Brachos.
• A patient whose spouse will not light on their behalf at home is obligated to light in the hospital. As mentioned, they may be Yotzei with the hospital lighting.
• A patient whose spouse lights on their behalf at home is Yotzei and does not need to join in the lighting in the hospital. However, if the spouse is lighting in a different house, the patient is not Yotzei and must join the hospital’s lighting.

Medical Personnel

• A doctor or nurse whose spouse lights on their behalf at home is Yotzei.
• A person who will return home at night is permitted to light at home even after the Zman Hadlaka. However, Lechatchila, their spouse should light on their behalf at home at the regular time.
• A person who returns home very late should try to ensure that some of his family are awake when he lights.
• Medical personnel who do not have anyone to light on their behalf at home or will not return at night should hear the Brachos in the hospital and have Kavana to be Yotzei with the lighting there.
• A person who did not hear the Brachos at the hospital lighting should make the Bracha, “sheAsa Nisim” upon seeing the Neiros. On the first night, he should also recite “Shehecheyanu”.
• If a doctor is called to the hospital before the Zman Hadlaka and knows that he will neither return home later nor will anyone light for him at home may light from Plag haMincha. In that situation, he should use enough oil (or a sufficiently long candle) to burn for half an hour after nightfall. If possible, it is better to appoint a Sh’liach to light at the correct time at home.