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When placing a Menorah in a high rise lobby are there Jewish rules that need adhering to? Should it stand alone? Does it need to be placed on a white cloth? There seem to be some discrepancies among the residents in our building.

Thank you for the question. I better make sure I get the answer done quickly or the info will be good only for next year.

Here are the general guidelines for menorahs:

The most preferred medium is olive oil and wicks made from cotton or linen. New wicks are not needed every night. Candles work, too
The candle holders or oil receptacle in the menorah used should be positioned in one straight line but, these days, there are so many artistic designs. The important thing is that shamash is higher, not lower, than the candles themselves.
The lights are placed in the menorah from right to left before kindling and are lit from left to right.
All subsequent nights only the first two brachot are recited - shel Hannukah and sh'asah nissim. Shehechiyanu is only on the first night
The brachot should precede the lighting and the Haneirot Hallalu should be said after lighting the first flame, while continuing to light the others.
The menorah should ideally be placed outside to the left of the doorpost, opposite the mezuzah.
Menorahs kindled inside the home, should be set at a window facing a public thoroughfare or neighbouring residences and facing the outside as if the people on the outside are lighting it. Therefore, when the menorah is set up in the lobby, position it so that people coming in see the ascending lights from right to left.
The menorah should not be moved after being kindled.
Every menorah should have its own additional shamash.
One may not derive any benefit from the menorah (i.e. reading by its light)

Now, having said that, what is the specific answer to your question? It sounds like the question your friends are asking is whether or not the menorah has a level of kedushah - holiness. Well, yes and no. Yes in the sense that when it is being used, it is being used as a holy thing but no in the sense that one does not have to be a state of purity to use it and it does not transmit impurity, etc. That, I think, is the reason that someone suggested that the menorah not touch the table. There is no impurity transferred to the menorah from the table. I suspect that having the tablecloth was strictly a family tradition.

Enjoy the holiday! Chag Hannukah Sameach!

Answered by: Rabbi Cy Stanway

When placing a Menorah in a high rise lobby are there Jewish rules that need adhering to? Should it stand alone? Does it need to be placed on a white cloth? There seem to be some discrepancies among the residents in our building.

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