Q. Why is it that when lighting the menorah in shul in the morning no brocho is recited as is done at night?
A. The tradition of lighting a menorah in shul during the morning tefila of Chanuka is mentioned by Pri Megodim (E'A 670: 2). Nahar Mitzraim (Chanuka 12) writes that this was the custom of Yerushalaim and the Egyptian communities because of Pirsumei Ness or publicizing the miracle . Meishiv Devorim (Y.D. 232) mentions that this was also the minhag of Ashkenassi congregations such as Pressburg.
Binyan Shlomo (38), Shvilei Dovid (671), Levushei Mordechai (2: 63) and others explain that the reason for lighting during the day is to comply with the Rambam's opinion that there was kindling of the menorah in the Beis Hamikdash, when a light was found extinguished during the morning Hatovas Haneros.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that although there is Pirsumei Ness in the morning kindling also, no brocho is recited since "Shraga Betahara Mai Ahany" or a light during the day does not provide much benefit. (See similar Shev Yaakov O.H. 15 and Ohr Sameach - H. Chanuka 3: 3).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
