Chanuka, Bein Mizrach leMaarav

Chanuka, Bein Mizrach leMaarav, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

The famous Beraita which details the various standards of fulfillment of the Mitzva of Ner Chanuka (BT Shabbat 21b) is, on careful inspection, challenging and replete with both inherent and contextual difficulties. A careful examination of other relevant sugyot relating to מצות הדלקת נר חנוכה reveal that there was an essential difference in both practice and approach to this Mitzva between the Bavli practice and that maintained in Eretz Yisrael. By carefully reexamining that popular Beraita, we can discern a "Bavli layer" and an "Eretz Yisrael" layer which, once successfully woven together, present us with the unified hierarchy of practices. This shiur was given in memory of Mrs. Evelyn Graber z"l

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