Chanukah away from home
Chanukah in the hospital and at Cedars-Sinai
A patient, a new mother or a family keeping watch over Chanukah: you still have a share in the lights. Bait Aaron is the closest shul to Cedars-Sinai, and we are here to help.
For the patient
How a patient keeps Chanukah
Your family lights for you
If your household lights the menorah at home, you are included in their lighting. Many poskim say it is still good to see Chanukah lights, or to hear the brachot, wherever you are.
No open flame
Hospitals do not allow open flames. An electric menorah does not fulfill the mitzvah with a bracha according to most poskim, but it brings the light of Chanukah into the room. Ask your Rav about your situation.
A patient alone
A patient who has no household lighting for him should ask the Rav. Sometimes a lighting can be arranged in a permitted area, or the patient can listen to someone else’s lighting and brachot.
A new mother
A mother in the maternity ward is included in her husband’s lighting at home. If he is with her, he lights at home or where the family stays, and the Rav can guide you.
At Cedars-Sinai
Help at Cedars-Sinai
Cedars-Sinai Spiritual Care can help Jewish patients and families. Shabbat elevators, the Chai Lifeline kosher pantry and kosher meals are on our Cedars-Sinai guide. Family staying nearby can light at the shul or where they sleep, and the Rav can help you decide where.
Daven with us
Bait Aaron is about an 11 minute walk from the South Tower. Shacharit with Hallel Sunday through Friday, and the 9:30am minyan on Shabbat (Saturday) morning. See minyan times.
A Mi Sheberach
Send the Hebrew name of the patient for the Mi Sheberach. Send a name.
A bris over Chanukah
A baby boy born at Cedars-Sinai? See a bris for a baby born at Cedars-Sinai.
Hospital questions
Can you light a menorah in the hospital?
Hospitals do not allow open flames. A patient whose family lights at home is included in their lighting. For anything else, ask your Rav.
Does an electric menorah count?
According to most poskim, an electric menorah does not fulfill the mitzvah with a bracha, but it can bring the feeling of Chanukah into a hospital room.
Is there a shul near Cedars-Sinai for Chanukah?
Yes. Bait Aaron, at 301 S. La Peer Dr., is about an 11 minute walk from the South Tower, with Shacharit Sunday through Friday and a 9:30am minyan on Shabbat (Saturday) morning.
I am a new mother in the hospital. Do I light?
A married woman is included in her husband’s lighting at home. Ask the Rav if your situation is different.
Every hospital situation is different. Ask your Rav, and follow the hospital’s safety rules.
Sources: Cedars-Sinai Spiritual Care
The Bait Aaron Chanukah guide
More for Chanukah
A question for the Rav, or want to join us for Chanukah at the shul? Contact Bait Aaron.
Bait Aaron Torah Outreach Center · 301 S. La Peer Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90048 · Mara D’Asra: HaRav Moshe Nourollah, Shlita