Halacha for Monday 15 Kislev 5785 December 16 2024

The Holiday of Chanukah

Since we are approaching the holiday of Chanukah, let us begin discussing some of its pertinent laws based on what we have written in previous years in addition to new some new ideas as well.

When Chanukah Falls Out this Year
The holiday of Chanukah lasts for eight days beginning from the 25th of Kislev, as we shall discuss. This year (5785), the 25th of Kislev will fall out next Thursday. Chanukah candles will be lit for the first time next Wednesday night. On Wednesday night of the following week, Chanukah candles will be lit for the last time this year.

The Impact of the Miracle of Chanukah Until Today
During the days of Chanukah, there are several laws and customs observed throughout the Jewish nation out of praise and thanksgiving to Hashem commemorating the miracles He performed for our ancestors during the Second Temple era.

At that time, the spiritual and material state of the Jewish nation was quite dismal as they were being viciously persecuted by the Assyrian-Greeks who controlled the Land of Israel. The Greeks imposed many decrees upon the Jewish nation in order to prevent them from observing the Torah and Mitzvot. There were likewise many Jews who joined the Hellenistic movement and began to behave completely like non-Jews.

Nevertheless, Hashem imbued the family of the Hashmonai High Priests with a mighty spirit and they led the Jewish nation in the path of Torah and Mitzvot. Although they were very few, Hashem caused the Greeks to fall at their hands and they were victorious over their enemies. They merited renovating the Bet Hamikdash and restoring the service of the Temple offerings amid purity. Hashem also performed the miracle of the single jug of oil which remained lit for an entire eight days. Were it not for the miraculous victory of the Hashmonai family, the Torah may have been, G-d-forbid, forgotten from the Jewish nation. Only as a result of these miracles was the Torah preserved for generations to come. It is for this reason that we are especially joyful and offer thanks to Hashem in unique ways in commemoration of the miracles Hashem performed for us during this time of year, so long ago.

Chanukah Customs
There are many details regarding the laws and customs of Chanukah. Below are the primary points:

  • The Mitzvah to light Chanukah candles
  • Adding the “Al Ha’Nissim” text to the Amida prayer and Birkat Hamazon
  • Reciting “Hallel” during Chanukah following Shacharit prayers
  • Reading the Torah portions of the Nesi’im every day of Chanukah
  • The prohibition to fast or eulogize during Chanukah
  • The custom of women not to perform work while the Chanukah candles are lit
  • Holding Chanukah parties/meals where words of Torah and fear of Heaven are spoken
  • The custom to partake of dairy foods and/or sweet, fried foods

Being Meticulous Regarding Lighting Chanukah Candles
One should be extremely meticulous regarding the Mitzvah of kindling the Chanukah lights, for it is a very beloved Mitzvah since through it we publicize the miracle amid thanks to Hashem. Our Sages teach us (Shabbat 23b) that one who fulfills this Mitzvah properly will merit having children who are Torah scholars. They derived this from the verse (Mishlei 6), “For a Mitzvah is a candle and Torah is light” where Rashi explains that through a candle associated with a Mitzvah (i.e. Chanukah candles) the light of Torah emanates. The Meiri further elaborates that this means that this Mitzvah must be done in a beautified and loving manner.

The Amount of Candles One Should Light
How many candles must one light on the holiday of Chanukah? According to the law, one candle per Jewish household is sufficient, whether the members of the household are few or many. However, it is customary to beautify the Mitzvah by adding one extra candle per night, such that on the last night one would be lighting eight candles (excluding the “Shamash” candle; some Syrian communities have the custom to two additional candles each night of Chanukah, one as the “Shamash” and one commemorating an unrelated miracle that they experienced).

The custom of the Sephardic and Middle Eastern Jews is in accordance with the opinion of Maran, whose rulings we have accepted, that only one member of the household lights and thus exempts the other members of the household. Ashkenazim, however, differ in their custom in that every member of the household lights Chanukah candles for themselves.

8 Halachot Most Popular

The Laws of Bowing During the Amida Prayer-Continued

In the previous Halacha we have discussed the basic laws of bowing during the Amida prayer, i.e. at the beginning and end of the “Magen Avraham” and “Modim” blessings. We have likewise explained the proper way to bow. Let us now discuss whether or not the custom that many hav......

Read Halacha

The Laws of Concentration During the Amida Prayer - The Laws of Bowing During the Amida Prayer

Question: At what points of the Amida should one bow and what is the correct method of bowing? Answer: Our Sages that one should bow several times during the Amida prayer. The blessings during which one must bow within the Amida are as follows: At the beginning and end of the “Magen Avra......

Read Halacha

Mincha Prayer on the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet

By popular request: This year when the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet coincides with Erev Shabbat, what is the best time for Mincha prayers to be held? The Custom Throughout the Year In general, Mincha on Friday afternoons is held in the synagogue approximately twenty minutes before sunset, after wh......

Read Halacha

The Fast of the Tenth of Tevet When it Coincides with Erev Shabbat

This coming Friday will mark the Tenth of Tevet, a public fast day observed throughout the Jewish nation until the arrival of Mashiach which marks the day the king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem with the intent of destroying it. The verse (Yechezkel 24) states: “And the word of Hashem was to me......

Read Halacha


Parashat Bo

(From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Examining the Significance of Certain Phrases Used Regarding the Plagues, and the Differen......

Read Halacha

Parashat Vaera

(From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Hashem’s Divine Providence (Hashgachah Pratit) and The Epic Story of Hananyah, Mishael an......

Read Halacha

The Custom of Spreading One’s Palms Wide Open While Reciting the Verse “Pote’ach Et Yadecha”

Question: Is there any basis for the custom of opening one’s hands wide while reciting the verse “Pote’ach Et Yadecha U’Masbia Le’Chol Chai Ratzon” or is this an incorrect custom? Similarly, should one rise while reciting “Yishtabach Shimcha” during th......

Read Halacha

Lighting Chanukah Candles on Motza’ei Shabbat and Electric Chanukah Candles

On Motza’ei Shabbat Chanukah, in the synagogue, Chanukah candles are lit first and only following this is Havdala recited in order to delay the departure of Shabbat as much as possible. Although the one lighting the Chanukah candles removes the sanctity of Shabbat from himself, nevertheless, t......

Read Halacha