Height of Menorah

How High Should I Place my Chanukah Menorah?

The Chanukah menorah should be placed on a surface that is higher than three tefachim (approximately ten inches) off the ground, since lower than three tefachim is halachically considered as if it's on the ground.

L'chatchilah (preferably), it should be placed lower than ten tefachim (approximately 31 inches) from the ground because of the mitzvah of pirsumei nisa (publicizing the miracle). At that height it’s obvious that it was lit specifically for Chanukah, and not for illumination which is usually placed higher. The menorah may certainly not be placed higher than twenty amah (approximately thirty feet), as at that height the menorah is considered to be out of the range of vision for most people; one is not yotzei (fulfilled their obligation) if the menorah is placed that high.

There is a difference of opinion among poskim whether the above specifications refer to the body of the menorah or to the flames—particularly when the body of the menorah is too large to fit into the ideal seven-tefach space (three tefachim above the ground and lower than ten tefachim).

Many poskim say that the requirement that the menorah be placed lower than twenty amah refers to the flames. Similarly, the flames should be above three tefachim, whereas the menorah may be placed on the floor, if necessary, and in case one is concerned that it’s a bizayon (disrespectful) to put the menorah on the floor, they can simply put a tray under it.

Regarding the requirement that the menorah be placed lower than ten tefachim, many poskim say that it’s sufficient if part of the body of the menorah is below ten tefachim, even if the flames are above ten tefachim. This is even less of a problem nowadays, when we light indoors and the pirsumei nisa is for family members only, who are well aware that the menorah is being lit for the mitzvah. 

If there is a concern that placing the menorah close to the floor would allow children to tamper with it, the entire menorah may be placed above ten tefachim. #467

https://halacha2go.com?number=467

Practical Halacha: One minute a day. By Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D'asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights.