Sunday
14 Kislev 5771
November 21 2010; 11 Days until Chanukah
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Today's Halachos are dedicated by a daily reader, C.S., in memory of her dear father Yosef ben Avraham A"H, Yahrtzeit today, 14 Kislev. Please have in mind when learning today's halachos that they be in his eternal merit. May his neshama continue to climb higher and higher in Gan Eden and may he be a Meilitz Yosher for his entire family.
Note: Starting today, until after Chanukah, we will be taking a break from Hilchos Shabbos and review Hilchos Chanukah.
Introduction
The Talmud asks the following question: " Mai Chanukah, What is Chanukah"?
Rashi explains the Gemara's question to mean, "Due to which miracle was the Yom Tov of Chanukah instituted?"
The Gemara goes on to answer the question as follows: On the 25th day of Kislev begin the eight days of Chanukah. It is prohibited to eulogize anyone on these days and it is prohibited to fast on these days.
Why?
When the Greeks entered the Bais HaMikdash they[handled all the vessels and touched and] made all the oil [that was used to light the menorah] impure. When the Chashmonaim (sometimes referred to as the macabees) overpowered the Greek army and won the war they searched the entire Bais HaMikdash and were only able to find one small jug of pure oil [with the seal of the Kohen Gadol on it].
There was only enough oil in this jug to light the menorah for one day. However, a miracle occurred and the small amount of oil was sufficient to light the menorah for eight days (until they were once again able to purify themselves and produce more oil).
The following year, beginning on 25 Kislev, the Chachamim instituted an eight day Yom Tov (which we refer to as Chanukah)dedicated to Halel (praise) and Hoda'ah (Thanks) [to Hashem]. (Talmud Shabbos 21b, also brought in the Tur beginning of Hilchos Chanukah)
1) According to many Rishonim there is no requirement to have a Seudah (festive meal) on Chanukah, and any Seudah that is made is a Seudas Reshus (non obligatory meal).
Others argue and maintain that there is indeed a requirement to have a Seudah, with bread, on Chanukah.
The prevelant minhag when having a Seudah on Chanukah is to sing Shiros V'Tishbachos (praises) to Hashem and/or talk Divrei Torah, thus making it a Seudas Mitzvah according to all opinions.
2) It is customary to eat foods made with cheese on Chanukah in commemoration of the miracle of Yehudis' slaying of the Greek general Heliphornius which is considered one of the miracles of Chanukah, in which cheese played a role. (See Ram"a Siman 670:2 and Mishna Berura S"K 10. for more on the story. )
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QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
On Shabbos Chanuka, I will be in a hotel for a Simcha from Friday afternoon until Motzai Shabbos. What is the Din for lighting Chanuka Friday evening?
Answer:
One who is not home, and is spending the night in a hotel must light in the hotel.
According to many Poskim the ideal place is in the room in the hotel that you will be sleeping in and not in the dining room, as this room is "reserved" for you. (Psak of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita. Rav Moshe Sternbuch Shlita in Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos Vol. 3 Siman 215:14 paskens like this as well, besides if there is no window in the room, then he maintains it's better to light at the window in the dining room)
Some Poskim (Rav Nissim Karelitz Shlita and others) maintain that it is best to light in the dining room, especially if there are others there for the same reason as you (family simcha, Yarchei Kallah etc.) as that makes it as if the entire "family" is together, and thus the proper place to light.
Obviously, if the hotel doesnt allow lighting fires in the rooms, it is best to rely on those Poskim that say to light in the dining room.
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of one of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam, B'soch Sha'ar Cholei Yisroel, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO ME. THANK YOU AND TIZKEH L'MITZVOS!
Important Numbers
