Q. I'm spending practically every day and night in hospital with my husband who is in intensive care. Bikur Cholim offered us an electric menorah. Can I make a bracha when lightning or is it better to name an agent that should light for us?
A. Most Poskim rule that you should not recite a brocho on an electric menorah since it lacks a proper wick and therefore does not conform with the definition of "hadloko" or lighting. It also lacks an existing fuel supply, since the necessary electricity is not stored but rather it is constantly being generated. (Bais Yitzchok Y.D. 1: 120 & 2: 130, Levushey Mordechai 3: 59, Yaskil Avdi 3: 17, Nitey Gavriel – Chanuka 18: 23 et. al.)
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is likewise, but he permits, when no other possibility exist to light without a brocho on a battery powered electric menorah.
The best solution would be for you to name a shliach and have the agent light at your home.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
Important Numbers
