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MEHADRIN AND MEHADRIN MIN HAMEHADRIN |
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Why is it specifically on Chanukah that the Sages instituted the mitzvah to be performed in a mehadrin manner or mehadrin min ha-mehadrin?
The minimum obligation of the mitzvah of kindling Chanukah lights is for each member of the household to light one candle each night of Chanukah. There is also an embellishment to the mitzvah, which reflects a debate between Bais Hillel and Bais Shamai. According to Bais Shamai, the candles are lit in a descending manner: on the first night, eight lights are lit, on the second night, seven, and so forth. Bais Hillel, on the other hand, holds that we should light in an ascending manner: one light on the first night, two lights on the second night, and so on. We rule like Bais Hillel, adding one additional light each night.
Why do we have different degrees of fulfilling this mitzvah?
Because on Chanukah, Klal Yisrael's primary role was to rectify the negligence in the performance of mitzvot. We aim to demonstrate the significance we attach to observing the mitzvot and our deep affection for their observance. As we show greater importance in how we perform the mitzvah, we also express our desire to draw closer to Hashem and fulfill His commandments. Although the basic requirement is to light just one candle per night, when one lights additional candles in a mehadrin min ha-mehadrin manner, it reflects their great joy and significance of the mitzvah.
It is said that the Chofetz Chaim, zt"l, remarked that at the onset of communism, the goal was to first eradicate the Torah students and yeshiva scholars. Many communists were Jews, like Leon Trotsky and his associates, who had distanced themselves from Torah. The Chofetz Chaim stated that had the Torah and yeshivot opposed the communists as fiercely as the Hasmoneans opposed the Greeks, then the Holy One, Blessed be He, would have delivered the communists into their hands, just as He did with the Greeks against the Hasmoneans. This would have held true despite the fact that the yeshiva students were few and weak compared to the powerful communist empire.
When Rabbi Baruch Ber Lebowitz, zt"l, heard these words from the Chofetz Chaim, he took an iron rod from the ironworks and declared, “I am ready and willing to go out against the communists and fight for the cause of Hashem Tzav-ot.” The Chofetz Chaim responded, “It is too late for that,” since by that time a significant portion of Jewry had become negligent in performing mitzvot.
From all of this, we learn that if there is a decree against the Torah, G-d forbid, it may reflect negligence in its observance. We must strengthen ourselves to take corrective action, enhance Torah study, and ensure the observance of mitzvot. We should also be willing to confront such decrees with courage and determination, demonstrating our desire for G-d and His Torah. When the Holy One, Blessed be He, sees that we sincerely wish to fulfill His will with deep love, He will surely perform miracles for us, granting us success and helping us overcome our enemies.
Source: Harav Shmuel Berenbaum zt'l in Tiferes Shmuel
The minimum obligation of the mitzvah of kindling Chanukah lights is for each member of the household to light one candle each night of Chanukah. There is also an embellishment to the mitzvah, which reflects a debate between Bais Hillel and Bais Shamai. According to Bais Shamai, the candles are lit in a descending manner: on the first night, eight lights are lit, on the second night, seven, and so forth. Bais Hillel, on the other hand, holds that we should light in an ascending manner: one light on the first night, two lights on the second night, and so on. We rule like Bais Hillel, adding one additional light each night.
Why do we have different degrees of fulfilling this mitzvah?
Because on Chanukah, Klal Yisrael's primary role was to rectify the negligence in the performance of mitzvot. We aim to demonstrate the significance we attach to observing the mitzvot and our deep affection for their observance. As we show greater importance in how we perform the mitzvah, we also express our desire to draw closer to Hashem and fulfill His commandments. Although the basic requirement is to light just one candle per night, when one lights additional candles in a mehadrin min ha-mehadrin manner, it reflects their great joy and significance of the mitzvah.
It is said that the Chofetz Chaim, zt"l, remarked that at the onset of communism, the goal was to first eradicate the Torah students and yeshiva scholars. Many communists were Jews, like Leon Trotsky and his associates, who had distanced themselves from Torah. The Chofetz Chaim stated that had the Torah and yeshivot opposed the communists as fiercely as the Hasmoneans opposed the Greeks, then the Holy One, Blessed be He, would have delivered the communists into their hands, just as He did with the Greeks against the Hasmoneans. This would have held true despite the fact that the yeshiva students were few and weak compared to the powerful communist empire.
When Rabbi Baruch Ber Lebowitz, zt"l, heard these words from the Chofetz Chaim, he took an iron rod from the ironworks and declared, “I am ready and willing to go out against the communists and fight for the cause of Hashem Tzav-ot.” The Chofetz Chaim responded, “It is too late for that,” since by that time a significant portion of Jewry had become negligent in performing mitzvot.
From all of this, we learn that if there is a decree against the Torah, G-d forbid, it may reflect negligence in its observance. We must strengthen ourselves to take corrective action, enhance Torah study, and ensure the observance of mitzvot. We should also be willing to confront such decrees with courage and determination, demonstrating our desire for G-d and His Torah. When the Holy One, Blessed be He, sees that we sincerely wish to fulfill His will with deep love, He will surely perform miracles for us, granting us success and helping us overcome our enemies.
Source: Harav Shmuel Berenbaum zt'l in Tiferes Shmuel
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