Ohev Shalom Voice
Kislev - December, 5769
Rabbi’s Message
For the miracles, the redemption, the mighty deeds, the salvation, the wonders. (Chanukah Prayer)
During Chanukah in the eighteenth blessing of the Amidah and in the second blessing of the Grace After Meals a thanksgiving prayer is recited using the the past tense: “ For the miracles Which You have done “. If one concluded these blessings and forgot to recite it, it may be added at the end of the Amidah or in Grace After Meals in the next to the last paragraph. Here the text will read in the future tense: “May The All-Merciful do for us Miracles as He did for our Fathers in those days”.
Some opinions object to reciting a request for miracles in any context. Especially so in the Amidah where any request in the last three blessings is out of place. The objection for requesting a miracle is based upon a discussion in the Gemorah (Shabbos 54B) which concludes that it is preferable for our needs to be fulfilled in a natural way without violating the Divinely established laws of nature. In addition, the last three blessings of the Amidah are of a praise-giving nature in which a request would be out of place.
We accept the ruling to make the insertion upon forgetting it in its original place in both the Amidah and in the Grace After Meals. (see commentaries Orach Chaim 187 and 684). It is out of place for a personal plea to be made while offering a statement of praise. The Gemorah in Shabbos 54B tells of a man who while suffering poverty and being unable to feed his child had his problem solved by a miracle. He did not have the merit to emerge from his poor state. No benefit came from the violation of natural law.
A miracle that rescues our People from distress strengthens faith in G-d in the eyes of all people. It reveals G-dliness in this world (see Tanya Page 158). Such a request does not interfere with a praise-giving prayer. Such a Sanctification of the Holy Name does in no way conflict with the Divine purpose of Creation. We may in good conscience request that G-d do for us miracles and wonders of such nature. May He spare us in our days as He did for our forefathers on Chanukah so many centuries ago.
 
The First Chanukah light is kindled Sunday night, December 21st
The last lights are kindled on Sunday night, December 28th
Three Berachos are recited before lighting the first night.
On all other nights, only the first two are recited.
On Friday night, the Chanukah lights are to be kindled before the Shabbos lights. They must be of such size that they will burn for an hour and a half. On other nights, when they are lit after dark, they need not burn for more than one half hour.
The small candles will not burn for an hour and a half. If candles are used for Friday night, they must be the white ones that are usually used for Shabbos. Olive oil and wicks can burn long enough.
It is generally better to use olive oil even on weekday nights. It is more symbolic of the Menorah in the Beis Hamikdash. On Saturday night the Chanukah lights at home should be lit after Havdallah.
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