Chanukat Ha’Bayit

Many are familiar with the Chanukat Ha’Bayit (the dedication of the house) ceremony in honor of the occasion of moving in to a new house or apartment. In terms of halacha this minhag is not obligatory as it does not have explicit halachic sources. Nevertheless, several reasons for this custom are found in the works of the poskim which give it basis and significance.

I. REASONS

1. The Midrash Tanchuma and Sheiltot D’rav Hai Gaon explain that a simple but meaningful way to mark the occasion of moving into a new home is to make a meal bringing family and friends together to celebrate and please our Creator¹.
2. The great Kabbalist, Rav Moshe Cordovero writes that when one initiates something new, such as building or purchasing a new house, they are entering into a new realm of Divine Attribute of Strict Justice (din), restriction, and limitation. One needs to sweeten the dinim through acts of kindness, to arouse compassion with words of Torah, and mitzvot. When the house is filled with mitzvot and Torah, Hashem’s attribute of mercy is aroused to transform the judgments into blessings².

Similarly the Sochatchover Rebbe³ writes in the name of Maharal, that a house with borders is a physical representation of the concept of tzimtzum, which is the contraction of God's infinite light into a finite space. Tzimtzum is a necessary precondition for creation. The borders of a house represent the limits of creation, and the Divine Attribute of Strict Justice (din) is the force that upholds these limits. Blessings, on the other hand, are the opposite of limits. They are the infinite outpouring of Hashem’s goodness and compassion. When guests are invited to the new house, we sweeten the Divine Attribute of Strict Justice with the attribute of our forefather Avraham which is Hesed (kindness), which in turn invites blessings into our house.

1. The Ben Ish Chai⁴ explains that based on the principle that “signs have actual significance” (simana milta hee), is important to start living in a new home with happiness, in the hope that this joy will continue. Additionally, it is a good idea to invite someone to share words of Torah in the home, to give it a strong foundation kedusha (holiness).
2. The Zohar⁵ writes that in order to get Heavenly assistance and Shechina to rest on the new home, one needs to verbally exclaim that one is building (or buying) the home for the service of Hashem prior to entering or building.

Even though one had the verbal expression on the house, Rav Yitzchak Alfiya, (author of Kuntres Hayechieli)⁶ explains that one still needs to perform the ceremony of chanukat ha’Bayit to start the house with a positive note and remove the energy of the builders imbued to it (that may not have had proper intentions and thoughts) which can have a lasting impact on the house.

7. To drive out the evil spirits that were left there by the previous owner/tenants that lived there prior⁷. [This is also the source for painting the apartment or house one is moving into⁸].

Based on these reasons, one should not celebrate chanukat ha’Bayitfor renovations alone, unless the house is completely rebuilt  ⁹.

II. THE PROCEDURE

1. The Zohar¹⁰ writes that after building the Mishkan, Hashem told Moshe to make a seuda (meal) to celebrate. Since our home is a miniature Bet HaMikdash we have a similar dedication as well.

To serve bread and meat is the best option, however not obligatory in halacha. One can serve other items as well¹¹. The custom is to try to have at least 10 men to publicize the miracle¹² and be able to recite Kaddish¹³ (as when ten Jews gather the Shechinah rests with them). However, if one cannot find ten people, then even three people would suffice.

14. Many have a custom to read a collection of mishnayot, zohar and halachot that are connected to theme of a ‘home’ arranged by Rav Chayim Yosef David Azuali (known as the Chida). Some have the guests recite all the portions, while others split it up giving each a paragraph or two. It is also praiseworthy for all gathered to recite the pitum ketoret in unison¹⁴.

Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l held that the main point of chanukat ha’Bayit is to converse in words of Torah and praise Hashem¹⁵. The Zohar¹⁶ teaches that wherever the words of the Torah are heard, Hashem and all His hosts pay attention and come to live with him. One should try to arrange (if possible) for a Torah scholar¹⁷ to speaks words of Torah that the participants could understand and appreciate (as most portions being read are not understood by those that are present).

III. WHERE

1. The custom is to perform chanukat ha’Bayit both inside and outside of Israel.
2. The chanukat ha’Bayit ceremony should be done specifically in the house, and not in a hall or another location. By learning Torah in the house the shechina reveals itself, causing the sitra achara to leave through this. This is accomplished when zimun is recited before birkat hamazon.¹⁸ By giving tzedakah and learning Torah in the house, one sanctifies it, which is the primary goal of the chanukat ha’Bayit ceremony¹⁹.
3. One should perform chanukat ha’Bayit even for a rental²⁰.

IV. WHEN

The best time to perform chanukat ha’Bayit, is before moving into the house and sleeping there for the first time. This is done to ensure a positive spiritual beginning for the home and to remove any evil spirits that may be present²¹. However, if this is not possible, chanukat ha’Bayit should be celebrated as soon as possible after moving into the home.

Excerpt from: Hillel Omer: A Journey Through Jewish Law and Minhag. Available on Amazon.com