The mitzvah of Chanukah has a fascinating aspect. The Gemara says that the basic mitzvah is for each household to kindle a single light, but adds that people who want to do it the "mehadrin" way will kindle a light for each person in the household, and people who want to do it "mehadrin min hamehadrin" will kindle each day the number of lights corresponding to that day.
No other mitzvah has a "mehadrin" way and a "mehadrin min hamehadrin" way. For instance, mishloach manos on Purim doesn't have various levels of mehadrin.
But Chanukah lights do, because the miracle of Chanukah was unlike any other. Since enough pure oil to light with for seven days was not found, they could have used impure oil, because טומאה הותרה בציבור., impure oil can be used when the entire community is in an impure state. Alternatively, they could have used thinner wicks that would make the oil last longer.
But Hakadosh Baruch Hu, in His great love for His people, worked a miracle so they could light the Menorah of Beis Hamikdash in the best possible way. This miracle was not technically necessary. It was just to show Hashem's love for us. So we, too, show our love for Hashem, and do more than the minimum, if we can. Technically, we could fulfill our obligation with just one candle each night, but we show our love of Hashem and add hiddur on top of hiddur.
Chanukah is thus a time of love and affection between us and Hashem. Perhaps this is why the Rambam writes that kindling Chanukah lights is a מצוה חביבה עד מאד, a very beloved mitzvah, because it is a mitzvah that is all about ahavah and chibah. Everyone knows that when love bursts out, it goes beyond bounds. Therefore, these are days of Hallel and Hodaah, but also of Tefilah and Bakashah. Because this is a special time to daven for everything we need.
Source: Harav Yosef Dov (ben Harav Shimshon Dovid) Pincus
Nefesh Shimshon email
No other mitzvah has a "mehadrin" way and a "mehadrin min hamehadrin" way. For instance, mishloach manos on Purim doesn't have various levels of mehadrin.
But Chanukah lights do, because the miracle of Chanukah was unlike any other. Since enough pure oil to light with for seven days was not found, they could have used impure oil, because טומאה הותרה בציבור., impure oil can be used when the entire community is in an impure state. Alternatively, they could have used thinner wicks that would make the oil last longer.
But Hakadosh Baruch Hu, in His great love for His people, worked a miracle so they could light the Menorah of Beis Hamikdash in the best possible way. This miracle was not technically necessary. It was just to show Hashem's love for us. So we, too, show our love for Hashem, and do more than the minimum, if we can. Technically, we could fulfill our obligation with just one candle each night, but we show our love of Hashem and add hiddur on top of hiddur.
Chanukah is thus a time of love and affection between us and Hashem. Perhaps this is why the Rambam writes that kindling Chanukah lights is a מצוה חביבה עד מאד, a very beloved mitzvah, because it is a mitzvah that is all about ahavah and chibah. Everyone knows that when love bursts out, it goes beyond bounds. Therefore, these are days of Hallel and Hodaah, but also of Tefilah and Bakashah. Because this is a special time to daven for everything we need.
Source: Harav Yosef Dov (ben Harav Shimshon Dovid) Pincus
Nefesh Shimshon email
