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Why is there a separate blessing for merely seeing Chanukah (חנוכה) candles when no other mitzvah (מצוה) requires this? Tosfos explains that since the madlik already makes multiple blessings, there's precedent for the ro'eh to share one. The shiur develops this into a fundamental chakira about whether she'asah nisim is a blessing on lighting or seeing.
This shiur provides a detailed analysis of the complex halachic issues surrounding Chanukah (חנוכה) blessings, particularly focusing on the differences between the one who lights (madlik) and the one who sees (ro'eh) the candles. The discussion centers on a fundamental question: how can there be a separate blessing obligation for merely seeing Chanukah candles without a specific takanah from the Anshei Knesset HaGedolah? The shiur explores a significant textual discrepancy between our Gemara (גמרא) in Shabbos (שבת) and the parallel Gemara in Sukkah (46a), where the order of discussing madlik and ro'eh is reversed. Additionally, there are variations in how Rashi (רש"י) explains the concept of ro'eh in each location - in Shabbos, Rashi suggests that even one who already lit can make a blessing upon seeing, while in Sukkah, Rashi limits this to one who hasn't yet lit in his house.
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Shabbos 21b
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