Yechiel Michel Epstein

“ But there is another reason: Because (with every passing day) , the holiness (of Hanukkah) increases. This, apparently, is the final reason that the Talmud concludes with (as is evident from the account of the 'Elders of Tzidon', see there) . According to this reason we are not interested in marking how many days have passed, which is certainly more in line with the Maimonides's position, that one can also follow the opinion of the Mehadrin (Vilna Goan) . For this reason, we rule mainly like Maimonides. ”

“ Section 19 Since the primary purpose of this Mitzvah is to publicize the miracle, the Rabbis decreed that the menorah should not be lit within the house. This is their actual statement: "Regarding the Hanukkah lamp - the Mitzvah is to place it by the entrance to the house on the outside. If one dwelling in an upper floor it should be place by the window facing the public thoroughfare. In a time of persecution one may place it on his table within the house, and that is enough." Rashi comments that "the placement 'by the entrance to the house outside' is to publicize the miracle. ”

“ If this is the case, then it is necessary that all of the candles be in one place, and then there is a problem of recognizing what day of Hanukkah it is.
It should be noted that it is not the case that in all locations one must light near the house's entrance facing the street, as I will explain. That is why our communities have not seen the above law in practice, as all light within their homes. In such a situation even the Tosaphits would agree that one should follow Maimonides, and each should light in his own separate place, thereby ensuring that the right day will be recognized. ”

“ On Friday afternoon the Menorah is lit before the afternoon prayers. This is in line with our custom, which is to even light the Shabbos candles before the afternoon prayers. If the one who lights is the prayer leader (Chazan) , and he is rushing [to begin the prayers on time] , he may light just one candle, while the sexton or another light the rest. This can also be done in the home, as there is no prohibition against the head of the household starting to light and another finishing. Even so, it is best that the head of the household completes the lighting by himself. ”

“ Section 13 Know further that there exists an even stricter opinion that forbids using the light of this extra candle, as people who see one using its light will say 'He has lit all those candles [the Menorah] for his use', for sometimes one will light many candles for light (Magen Avraham, comment 4 in the name of the Ramban, see there) . To me this is a wonder, for the Talmud and the legal decisors have already ruled explicitly that this extra candle's use is permitted. ”

“ Section 11 An oil lamp (or candelabra) that has two mouths (or candles) can be used for two people, providing that they are lighting one candle per person every night. If they plan to add candles each night they should not both use wicks in one bowl (or one candelabra) , for then it will not be possible to tell from their lights how many candles are supposed to be lit on any given day (Magen Avraham, comment 2) . ”

“ For example, lets say it is the fourth day of Hanukkah, and he remembers to give oil to his friend like I have written. His friend has four lights. When he gives his friend enough oil for one light per night, he should light one light, not three, as lighting three lights on the fourth day has no significance. Similarly, one who does not have enough oil for himself for that day should only light that day, and he will at least fulfill the basic requirement. ”

“ Finally, there is the class who are exceedingly meticulous, who light an additional candle to mark each day since each day had a miracle in the oil - here is where the original argument between Tosafos and Maimonides takes place, with Tosafos stating that there is no purpose in lighting candles for each member, as the multitude of candles will be confusing, while Maimonides states that one can light candles for each member. ”

“ There are those the assert that nowadays, when lighting is done inside the home, one may place it above twenty cubits. since a building has a roof and walls they argue that one inside will be aware of the walls and ceiling and what is contained therein, just as by a Succah whose walls reach the Sechach. The Tur disputes this notion, for it only with a Succah that the eye is drawn to survey the Sechach roofing. A Menorah, on the other hand, that is sitting below the ceiling level does not share this ability to be noticed. ”

“ His custom in comment 5, that when many light each needs a Shamash is also not the accepted custom. The Rashal himself disputes this, as is written there.)
Section 14 Our teacher the Rema writes at the end of section 1:
"If a Chanukka candle, which is forbidden to derive benefit from, became mixed with non sacred candles it is not nullified, since they are 'objects that are sold by number' (Heb. Davar SheBiMinyan) . The solution to this is to light enough of the candles that he is certain that non-sacred candles are also lit, and then he may use the light." ”

“ If, however, both entrances are on one side why would anyone cast aspersion, and why should it matter if he has one house with two entrances or two houses that each have one, since all know that they belong to one person? ”

“ The reason being that the observation 'He is only lighting for his own use' is said by people on a Meorah placed where the lighter is not residing in proximity, as can be seen in the Talmudic text (see there) . When, However, one lights it in the room he is residing its use causes a debasement to the Mitzvah. The use of an additional candle serves to solve this problem, as the Taz states. This [prohibition] is also the intent of the Ma'or, that we are speaking of lighting the Menorah on the table. ”

“ And those who wish to beautify the commandment further (Mehadrin Min Hamehadrin) should on the first night light one candle and then go on to to add (1 per night) .” Our Rabbis the Baalei Ha’Tosaphot say that the Mehadrin Min Hamehadrin do not build upon the Mehadrin, who say to light for everyone, because (that would defeat) one of the main purposes (of the Hanukkah candles, which) is that people should see the candles and know what day of Hanukkah it is. ”

“ An oil lamp of metal does need to be replaced or burnt out, and one of glass or one of pottery that is enclosed are considered like metal.
Wicks certainly do not need to be replaced until they are completely consumed, since wicks are not fouled. In fact, used wicks actually burn better than new wicks, as we learn in the Mishna: "Wicks that have been singed ..." (Gemara Shabbos, 28.2, "A wick that is braided but not singed...", and as Rashi explains in his comment entitled 'singed': "This prepares it to burn better.", see there) . ”

“ On Chanukkah this does present a concern, for while the Shabbos candles are for the benefit of a person's use, and if he finds this poor light difficult to use he will tempted to adjust the wick, the Menorah light may not be used for any benefit, so why would he be tempted to adjust the wick? ”

“ Section 17 If a pottery oil lamp [that apparently has an open bowl] is used one night it is considered unsightly and fouled for use on another night. One should rather use a new one each night. If one has no other to use he should burn this one out every night by flame and in that way it will be considered new. ”

“ It must be that the residents are not expert in whether or not there are one or multiple owners of the properties they are passing, but they assume that it is likelier that there is one owner when both entrances are in one house on the same side with a Menorah lit by one of them. ”

“ And even though the Menorah provides adds even more light, we do not concern ourselves over the incidental use of the extra light, since there is no debasement of the Mitzvah, as all can recognize that the lights are for the Mitzvah of Chanukka (Taz, comment 5) . In addition, this opinion has no source in the Tur or among the legal decisors. ”

“ How much food is needed? Enough that each has two meals. Here we also may say that if each brings his own portion should it not be just as valid? In fact, this really is the basic law of Eiruv creation, and it is through the Rabbis that a leniency was established that allows one individual to place all the food for the group. ”

“ This ruling is then explained as to avoid aspersion being cast on the homeowner, as passersby on the side with no Menorah may say "Just as he has not lit on this side, he has not lit on the other either". ”

“ This is also not a concern, for it has already been ruled that if the Chanukkah lights become extinguished during the half hour period one need not relight them, so as a matter of law this is not an obligation that he would be mindful of. ”