A menorah is a seven branch candelabra that was lit in the Temple. A hanukiyah is an eight branch candelabra used during the eight days of Hanukkah. The purpose of lighting the hanukiyah is to publicized the miracle of the oil. What is the very essence of this mitzvah, the lighting or the placement of the hanukiyah?
Yesterday’s daf TB Shabbat suggests that the lighting of the hunukiyah is the answer to my question.
“The Sages taught in a baraita: The basic mitzva of Hanukkah is each day to have a light kindled by a person, the head of the household, for himself and his household. And the mehadrin, i.e., those who are meticulous in the performance of mitzvot, kindle a light for each and every one in the household. And the mehadrin min hamehadrin, who are even more meticulous, adjust the number of lights daily. Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel disagree as to the nature of that adjustment. Beit Shammai say: On the first day one kindles eight lights and, from there on, gradually decreases the number of lights until, on the last day of Hanukkah, he kindles one light. And Beit Hillel say: On the first day one kindles one light, and from there on, gradually increases the number of lights until, on the last day, he kindles eight lights.” (Sefaria.org translation)
As an aside does “the mehadrin min hamehadrin, who are even more meticulous, adjust the number of lights daily” refer to back to the basic mitzvah of lighting only one hanukiyah per household or “to those who are meticulous in the performance of mitzvot, kindle a light for each and every one in the household.” Tosephot says it refers to the basic mitzvah of lighting only one hanukiyah per household. That is the Sephardic custom of having one hanukiyah per household and add one candle each night as understood by Beit Hillel. Rambam rules that “the mehadrin min hamehadrin, who are even more meticulous, adjust the number of lights daily” refers to having each household member light his/her hanukiyah according to Beit Hillel’s understanding. That is the Ashkenazi tradition.
Now back to the question at hand. Today’s daf TB Shabbat 22 begins with placement of the Hanukiyah as the essence of the mitzvah to publicize the miracle of oil.
“With regard to the essence of the matter Rav Kahana said that Rav Natan bar Manyumi taught in the name of Rabbi Tanhum: A Hanukkah lamp that one placed above twenty cubits is invalid, just as a sukka whose roofing is more than twenty cubits high, and just as an alleyway whose beam, its symbolic fourth partition in order to place an eiruv, is more than twenty cubits high, are invalid. The reason is the same in all three cases: People do not usually raise their heads and see objects at a height above twenty cubits. As there is a requirement to see all of these, they are deemed invalid when placed above that height. (All authorities rule that this halacha doesn’t apply to people who live in tall buildings like high rise apartments for the obvious reason-GG)...
Rabba said: It is a mitzva to place the Hanukkah lamp within the handbreadth adjacent to the entrance. The Gemara asks: And where, on which side, does he place it? There is a difference of opinion: Rav Aha, son of Rava, said: On the right side of the entrance. Rav Shmuel from Difti said: On the left. And the halakha is to place it on the left so that the Hanukkah lamp will be on the left and the mezuza on the right. One who enters the house will be surrounded by mitzvot (ge’onim) (Sefaria.org translation) The hanukiyah is placed by the door so that everybody who passes by sees the light that publicizes the miracle.
Finally the Gemara asks our very question.
“After the issue of whether lighting accomplishes the mitzva or placing accomplishes the mitzva was raised in the context of the previous discussion, the Gemara cites the discussion in its entirety. As a dilemma was raised before the Sages: In the case of the Hanukkah light, does lighting accomplish the mitzva, and placing the lit lamp is simply a continuation of that action, or does placing the kindled lamp accomplish the mitzva, and lighting is simply a practical necessity that facilitates placing the lamp?” (Sefaria.org translation)
After several attempts to answer this question that were rejected, the Gemara gives us the answer we have been waiting for.
“From the fact that we recite the following blessing over the mitzva of kindling the Hanukkah light: Who has made us holy through His commandments and has commanded us to light the Hanukkah light, the Gemara suggests: Conclude from this that lighting accomplishes the mitzva, as it is over lighting that one recites the blessing. The Gemara concludes: Indeed, conclude from this.” (Sefaria.org translation)
Know that all men and women are obligated to fulfill this mitzvah. I would encourage every child have his/her hanukiyah and light as well.
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