CLD #757

The Gedol HaDor Rav Ovadia Yosef shlit”a wrote in the Halacha Yomit emails a few days ago that the miracle of Hannukah lasted for more than 200 years up until the destruction of the Bet HaMikdash. Around 100 years later began the time of the Oral Torah being written down. Maran HaRav Ovadya shlit’a says that if it wasn’t for the miracle of Hannukah, we would not have the laws of everyday living for our generation!

As stated in this past week’s CLDs, one of the only Masechtot (tractates) in the Gemara that speaks about the laws of Hannukah is in Masechet Shabbat. The Gemara asks a very interesting question there: why in the lighting of the Hannukah candles do we say in the beracha (blessing) “Asher Kideshanu BeMitzvotav VeTzivanu?”

In order to understand the essence of the question one needs to know the knowledge behind a beracha, a blessing. A blessing is broken down into three parts: stating that Hashem is blessed, stating that Hashem is our king, and stating what we are blessing Him for. When we bless on the Hannukah candles we say these three parts as follows: Baruch Ata Hashem: Blessed are You Hashem, Elokenu Melech HaOlam: our G-d King of the Universe, Asher Kideshanu BeMitzvotav VeTzivanu Lehadlik Ner Hannukah: that You purified us through the Mitzvot and commanded us to light the candle of Hannukah. Did Hashem command us to light the candle of Hannukah each night? NO! It is learned in the Gemara, in the Oral Torah!

Therefore let’s tackle a question that is always heard throughout Jewish homes: If it isn’t written in the Written Torah why do I have to listen to it?! The Gemara in Masechet Shabbat brings down two pesukim (verses both in Devarim) that explain how Hashem gave the spiritual strength to real Rabbis in each generation to set up laws for every Jew to keep.

The first Pasuk is in Devarim 17:11 which says “Al Pi HaTorah Asher Yorucha VeAl HaMishpat Asher Yomru Lecha Ta’aseh. Lo Tasur Min HaDavar Asher Yagidu Lecha Yamin U’Smol,” According to the law they instruct you and according to the judgment they say to you, you shall do; you shall not divert from the worth they tell you, either right of left. It is clear from here that Hashem gave our Rabbis TODAY the strength to establish laws that are not clearly written in the Torah (it doesn’t mean every Rabbi is correct).

The second Pasuk is in Devarim 32:7 which says “Zechor Yemot Olam Binu Shenot Dor VaDor She’al Avicha VeYagedcha Zekenecha VeYomru Lach,” Remember the days of old; reflect upon the years of [other] generations. Ask your father, and he will tell you; your elders, and they will inform you (translations from Chabad.org). No explanation is further needed.

The essence of Hannukah is to APPRECIATE the greatness behind the Oral Torah and to input into our lives the NEED to learn Gemara (not the need to learn NOW, but the understanding that one needs to reach a level of saying “I will get to a level where I take it upon myself to learn Gemara everyday).

Hannukah Sameah!

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