B"H
Monday, Kislev 18, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / December 12, 2022
Sunday night, December 18, begins the eight-day holiday of Chanukah.
The first night of Chanukah one candle is lit, each night, for the next seven nights we kindle an additional light. Thus, the first night we kindle one light, the second night two etc. On the last night of Chanukah, we kindle eight lights. It is preferable to use olive oil for the Chanukah menorah. Candles are also good. The lights in the menorah should burn at least a half hour into the night.
The Chanukah lights should be lit near a door or window. They have to burn into the night, so that their light will be noticed and have an effect. The reason is to advertise this great miracle not only within our home, but also to others who are outside.
Our sages say, “A little light pushes away much darkness.” The lesson from the Chanukah lights is that everyone has the ability and responsibility to illuminate the darkness of the outside world. It is not enough for one to make sure that there is spiritual light in their own home. One has a responsibility to be an influence on the surroundings around them and spiritually illuminate them as well.
Q. Why is olive oil preferable for lighting the Chanukah menorah?
A.The Chanukah lights commemorate the miracle which took place in the Holy Temple (Beth HaMikdash), when a small amount of oil enough only for one day, lasted eight days. The menorah in the Holy Temple had to be lit with pure olive oil. Thus, to commemorate the miracle we also prefer to use olive oil. But any oil or candle is kosher for Chanukah.
Q. Why do we celebrate Purim with having a feast, yet on Chanukah there is no mitzvah to eat a meal, only the lighting of the menorah?
A.The miracle of Purim and the miracle of Chanukah were fundamentally different. In the miracle of Purim, Jews were saved from physical annihilation. To celebrate this miracle, the sages established a celebration of feasting, which we enjoy physically. However, at the time of Chanukah, our religion, the Torah and mitzvot and the Neshama (soul) of the Jew was in danger. At the time of Chanukah they prohibited the study of Torah and the observance of the mitzvot. For this we celebrate Chanukah in a spiritual way, with the kindling of lights, which represent the Torah and mitzvot and the Jewish soul, as they are all compared to light.
Q. Except for lighting the candles each night of Chanukah, is there anything else we do specially for Chanukah?
A. We recite the Hallel each day during the Morning Prayer. We recite the “Al Hanisim” - a prayer of thanks for the miracle of Chanukah. We also read from the Torah each day of Chanukah.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY