We see that chazal require us to perform the mitzvah of menorah in full view it shouldn't be too low or too high, it should be when everyone is coming home etc. How many mitzvos or observances other than Chanukah contain this element of public exposition? In fact, Chazal usually want things on the QT. True there is parsumei nissah, but we see that pesach's requirement is limited to one's dining room.

I would like to offer the following. Until the nes of chanikah Hashem "spoke" to us through the navi or the kahon godel. The power of torah shel baal peh was about to erupt while the days of prophecy had ceased. The Ribono shel olem was to contact us through the medium of each and every Jew through the keser of Torah. The lights of the menorah which represent Torah Study therefore needed to change mediums as well. No more was the light to come soley from the kohen godel and in the bais hamikdosh. Now the capacity of torah light was to be among the study of Torah (specifically torah shel baal peh). We don't have to travel to one particular place for the shechina, the shechina can now come to us.

We can now understand that the lights of the menorah have to affect those that have the capacity to have the Ribbono Shel Olem "speak" to them. That group is anyone that can study Torah - every Jewish person.

Nice peice. Though Megilah you also have the concept that you should Lain it with the most amount of people for Persumei nisa, but that was also part of the transformation period (even though there were still Niveim then)

Thank you.

Torah shel baal peh has its origins in Purim as well (Kimu Vkiblu). However, unlike Purim's the chiyuv on Chanukah is focused on out on to the street as well as to the whole bnei bayis. Perhaps the lighting in the shul has a different structure because it does not involve ish ubaiso. The parsumai nisah inolved with Megilah laining is in shul for the people not by the people.


Maybe through borrowing your point we can say that the level of parsumei nisah and people involvement is positively correlated with the level of Torah shel baal peh. Pesach has us being mefarsem the nes with mishpocheh. Purim has a crowd in shul and Chanukaka etc.

I would have to disagree on your point "The parsumai nisah inolved with Megilah laining is in shul for the people not by the people. "
I think that through Shomeah Konah, it's as all the people read the Megilah in front of all the people.

I like your 3 Dargos of Parsumei Nisa

Thank you again,

Perhaps we can answer like this: By Chanukah Chazal want each person to participate in the maaseh mitzvah. And the maaseh mitzvoh is directly connected with the parsumei nisah. (Definitely according to the Rambam and Rama - even tosfos if you strech it). By Purim yes each person has a chiyuv however I don't think there is a chiyuv of parsumei nisah on the individual as is by Chanukah,

Furthermore, shomeia konah works through shlichus or the shmia itself does the work as if it were read. If its the first reason then the peulah is being conducted through someone else. If its the second reason then there might be a peulah on each person. However, ius the shmiya in the capacity of parsumei nisa? Can you compare it to Chanuka's?

The problem is, that the whole Machlokes is only in Mehadrin and not in the Etzem mitzvah.The Ner Ish Ubaiso is really that everyone is Yoitzeh with the Peulah of one person Also Rambam seems that the Baal Habos lights all the candles.

Even if Shomea Konah is a Din In Shlichos, Shliach Shel Adam Kamoso , and it's like they all did it.

Although as you point out a) it is only mehadrin and b)one can be yotzeh through the peulah of one person Cahazal put a special focus on hidur mitzvah (Mehadrin)during Chanukah. The hidur being parsumei nisah. This focus manifests itself to the fact that each person has a special connection in the maseh of mitzvah. Finally, this focus is unique to Chanukkah.

Even according to the Rambam,a s you correctly point out, as opposed to the Rama, that the mitzvah (peulahs mitzva) is to be done through the baal habayis, each person has a connection to the maseh mitzvah. If not,let the Baal light one Menorah for everyone as is the normal MO. Again, this is unique to Chanukkah.

If shomea konah is shlichus and the then again the peulah and maaseh mitzvah is monopolized by the one who does the mitzvah eventhough everyone is yotzeh in the kiyum. For example Purim, the baal koreh doesn't lain the megilah times the amount of people present in the shul - Sounds funny. By Chanukaah loit the Rambam we do have this concept of getting each and every individual involved in the peulah of the mitzvah.


Finally, Thank you for replying.

It is really "geshmak". In fact the whole site is wonderful.

I can live with those answers
I'm glad you enjoy these forums