Ask the Rabbi
Question
Does one have a chanukiyat habayit for moving into an apartment? What should one do for it?
Answer
In general the Chatam Sofer, R. Yehuda haChasid and many others say that in Galut, outside of Israel, one should mourn his living there, and surely not celebrate it. Especially when today we already see that America, like every single other exile, is just temporary, as promised in the Torah (Dvarim 28, 65). How much more so when just renting an apartment. If you wish, you can invite some friends over, and pray together and ask that they should bless you that "in this home should be heard happiness, joy and shalom" etc. and set aside a place there, where you will pray and study Torah. Hoping to see you and all Am Yisrael soon in Eretz Yisrael (already most Jews in the world are here!)

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