Q. We usually extinguish the Chanuka lights in shul after maariv since people go home and it may be dangerous to leave lighted candles on. Is it better to ask the security man to extinguish them after a half an hour?
A. On question 422 we wrote: "Some Poiskim maintain that in a shul you do not need to leave the candles lit for a half an hour, it suffices for them to be on as long as the mispaleleim are there. It is different from a private dwelling were the publicizing is done for the people in the street and originally when this mitzvah was established, they were there for a half an hour. (Binyan Av p.46, Leket Hachanuka p. 183, Rivavos Efraim 59) Others agree in principle with the above, but suggest that lekatchila, on the onset one should put enough oil and if possible maintain them lit for a half an hour (Teshuvos Vehanhogos 4: 171,Yalkut Yosef, Moadim p.203, Netzach Yosef p.160). Melamed Lehoil (1: 121) adds that you may complete the missing time by kindling in the morning during shacharis. Other Poiskim are more stringent and permit extinguishing the lights only when there is a fire danger or other significant need. (Shevet Halevy 8: 156,)
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit'a opinion is that if possible one should maintain them on for the full half an hour, however if no one is going to be there you may put out the lights or at least leave one on."
Horav Shlomo Miller's opinion is that if one can instruct the security person or any other Gentile that stays, to extinguish the candles after a half an hour one should do so.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
