Q. On question 4572 regarding a frum fellow that was detained in a Central American country, and he will likely be there at least during Chanuka. Since the authorities are nowadays very antisemitic and he most likely will not be able, even with a bribe, to light the Menorah himself, and that would the first time in his life after Bar Mitzva.

This is making him very depressed. Can one stand on the jail’s parking lot outside his cell and just use laser diode rays that will shine the lights through the open window with iron bars on his wall for Chanuka lights. We assumed that in principle, he complies with the mitzva because his wife lights the menorah at home. How long and how many months can he be out of his home until it is not considered his home anymore?

A. The above question applies also to someone who is hospitalized or is new in a retirement institution.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that it truly depends in the case and there are different and variable conditions that would determine which place is now actually his home.
It should be left to the discretion of a competent Rov, that is also familiar with the case and all its details, to decide which is now the true abode of the individual involved.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a