Thursday, December 18, 2014

the miracle on the first day

It’s easier to post questions than to take the time to post answers : ) 

Chaunkah question #3: The Beis Yosef famously asks -- shouldn’t Chanukah be celebrated for seven days and not eight?  Since there was enough oil for one day, there was no miracle in being able to light the menorah that first day.  The miracle was only in the menorah burning for seven days after that.
There are dozens and dozens of answers to this question.  Someone told me the reason this question has so much torah written on it is a midah k’neged midah.  The Greeks wanted to cause us to forget about Torah, so davka on these halachos we have a multitude of torah discussion.
The Pri Chadash answers that the first day is not a celebration of the lighting of the menorah.  The first day is a celebration of the victory over the Greeks in battle.
If the Pri Chadash is correct, then why do we light a menorah on the first day?  Why should we commemorate the victory in battle the same way – through lighting a menorah – that we commemorate the miracle of the oil on the other days? 

7 comments:

  1. Because the proper way to celebrate the victory over the assimilationists and their goyishe buddies is illegal, at the moment.

    [And would probably end the viability of the Democrats as a political force].

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    1. I saw a news report that our leader said today that he has a Jewish soul.

      Sadly, his Jewish supporters probably think that he does.

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    2. More sadly, his "Jewish" supporters wish that their souls were like his.

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  2. Your really asking a more general question. How the rabanan were mesaken this din rabanan?

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    1. Not sure I understand what you mean?

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  3. Sorry I wasn't clear. There are 2 sibos for the takana. So How do these 2 relate with each other.
    Also I found a targum yonoson in devarim, that says we celebrate war victories with fire, as in Yom hatzmaot and independence day. So the lighting isn't to commemorate the oil but rather the war.

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    1. more specific mar'eh makom, please
      if begs the question about lag ba'omer...

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