Q. Re- my last question in regards to lighting ner Shabbos by proxy. If I can’t find a shaliach to light for me and I don’t want to lose almost an hour of learning. Can I place a timer and light ner Shabbos with electrical incandescent bulbs before plag? Would a battery powered light be better? What about a brocho?
A. Generally you would comply with the mitzvah of Hadlokas Neiros using a battery powered incandescent light when in need. However, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that the mitzvah is the lighting itself, and in this case it was done via a timer prior to the required time of plag hamincha and no brocho can be recited then. Although, the mitzva of learning Torah preempts all others (Talmud Torah keneged kulam), it is only when one has the intention to observe all the mitzvos also. Therefore, Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a suggested that when no person to serve as a shaliach is available, you may try to light after plag using a remote control, either by phone or internet, without having to travel home. However, no brocho should be recited.
On question 674 on this forum we wrote:
Q. I'm doing my medical internship and I stay in the hospital overnight some days a week… Since I'm not married and I room alone, and I have an Internet security hook up with my residence, so I can turn on and off lights with a phone call. Can I make a brocho if I set my Menorah before and I turn it on by remote control?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit"a opinion is not to recite a blessing via a remote controlled kindling, even if the menorah would fulfill all requirements (see prior question.) The reason being is that when one is not actually present there, it constitutes a deficient act of "Hadlaka" or lighting.
Although there are opinions that the blind light the menorah and recite a brocho even though they cannot see and enjoy the light (See Mogen Avrohom 675: 4, Maharshal 66.) The reason, as explained by the Aruch Hashulchan (O.H. 263: 9) and others is that the main mitzvah of Chanuka lighting is not enjoying and benefiting from the candles. This, as opposed to Shabbos candles, is actually prohibited in Chanuka candles. The main Mitzva and object of the Chanuka candles, is Pirsumei Nisah or the publicizing of the miracle, which could be achieved even by the kindling of the blind. Lighting via remote control, although Halachicaly it would be attributed to the one pushing the buttons, lacks Pirsumei Nisah.
Rabbi a. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
Important Numbers
