How and Why to Channukah - Berlin Tisch 5779

What is Hanukkah? The Sages taught: On the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the days of Hanukkah are eight. One may not eulogize on them and one may not fast on them. [What is the reason?] When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary they defiled all the oils that were in the Sanctuary by touching them. And when the Hasmonean monarchy overcame them and emerged victorious over them, they searched and found only one jar of oil with the seal of the High Priest. And there was sufficient oil there to light for only one day. A miracle occurred and they lit from it eight days. The next year the Sages instituted those days and made them holidays with hallel and thankfulness.

During the season of Hanukkah add: And we thank You for the miracles and for the redemption and for the mighty deeds and for the victories and for the battles that You performed for our fathers in those days at this time:

In the days of Mattityahu, the son of Yochanan the High Priest, the Hasmonean, and his sons, when the wicked kingdom of Greece rose up against Your people Israel to make them forget Your Torah and to stray from the laws of Your will, You, with great mercy stood by them in the time of their distress. You fought their fight, judged their cause and avenged them with vengence. You delivered the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few, the impure into the hands of the pure, the wicked into the hands of the righteous and the arrogant into the hands of those engaged with Your Torah. For Yourself you made a great and holy name in Your world, You performed a great deliverance for Your people Israel on this day. After these things, Your children entered into the Holy of Holies of Your House, cleansed Your Temple, purified the place of Your Holiness, kindled lights in Your holy courts and established these eight days of Hanukkah to express thanksgiving and praise to Your great name.

Our Sages taught: The mitzvah of Chanukkah is a single candle for each person and their household.

Those who are scrupulous: A candle for each and every one.

And the scrupulous among the scrupulous: Beit Shammai says: The first day we light eight, from then on reduce; and Beit Hillel says: The first day we light one, and from then on add.

The mitzva is from sunset until people leave the marketplace... Until when exactly is this time? Rabba bar bar Ḥana said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Until the traffic of the people of Tadmor [tarmoda’ei] ceases.

With regards to the Channukah candle, the mitzvah is to light it at the entrance to the house, within a tefach of the door, on the left side. This way, the mezuza will be on the right and the Channukah candle on the left. And if one lives in an upper chamber, one lights the candle in the window close to the public domain....

In times of danger, one lights the Channukah candle indoors, and even if one places it on the table it is enough. There has to be one other candle in the house to use for light, unless the house has a fireplace. If one is refined and doesn't usually use a fireplace for light, then in any case one needs another candle.

Rav Sheshet said: A guest is obligated in lighting the Hanukkah light in the place where he is being hosted. Rabbi Zeira said: At first, when I was studying in the yeshiva, I would participate with perutot, copper coins, together with the host. After I married my wife, I said: Now I certainly need not do so because she lights on my behalf in my house.

1. Baruch Ata Ado-naj Elohejnu Melech Haolam Ascher Kideschanu Bemizwotaw, Weziwanu Ledhadlik Ner Schel Chanukka.

2. Baruch Ata Ado-naj Elohejnu Melech Haolam Scheasa Nissim L'awotenu Bajamim Hahem Basman Hase.

(Erste Nacht: ) Baruch Ata Ado-naj Elohejnu Melech Haolam Schehechejanu Wekijemanu Wehigianu Lisman Hase.)