B"H
Thursday, Kislev 18, 5785 / December 19, 2024
Chanukah begins next week, Wednesday night, December 25. On the first night we kindle one light and add an additional light each night, until the eighth night when we light eight candles. Thus, commemorating the miracle of Chanukah when a small amount of oil, barely enough for one night, miraculously burnt for eight nights.
Q. Why, in addition to lighting at home, it is also customary to light the menorah in the synagogue?
A. It is a mitzvah to publicize the miracle of Chanukah as much as possible. Thus, although we light the menorah at home, it is also a mitzvah to kindle it in the synagogue in order to publicize the miracle of Chanukah for those attending synagogue.
2) Another reason is that today the synagogue takes the place of the Holy Temple. Being that the miracle took place in the Holy Temple, it is important to kindle the Chanukah lights also in synagogue, which is called, “a miniature Temple.”
3) Another reason is that there may be people in synagogue who are traveling and have no place to light their Chanukah candles. Thus, the sages required that the Chanukah menorah also be lit each night in the synagogue for those who are in transit.
Q. Why is it customary to place the Chanukah menorah in synagogue on the south wall?
A. To commemorate the menorah in the Holy Temple which stood on the south side in the Sanctuary.
Q. Before Shabbat and holidays, candles are lit in every Jewish home. Yet, we see a difference between the Chanukah candles and the Shabbat and holiday candles. The Shabbat candles are lit inside the home on the table where we eat. But the Chanukah candles are lit near a door or window. Why the difference?
A. The purpose of the Shabbat and holiday candles is to bring light and peace within our home. Thus, the candles are lit on the table so that we can enjoy our meals with the additional lights.
The purpose of the Chanukah lights is to publicize the miracle of Chanukah and to illuminate the spiritual darkness of the outside world. Thus, the Chanukah lights are lit near the window or door to publicize the miracle and bring light to the outside.
Q. Why is it important to publicize the miracle of Chanukah more than other miracles?
A. The miracle of Chanukah, when a small cruise of oil, enough to barely last one day, lasted eight days, took place inside the Holy Temple. The actual miracle was not visible to everyone, only to the Kohanim (priests) who served in the Holy Temple. Thus, the rabbis established that this miracle should be publicized, so that everyone will know about it.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW