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Why does the 'mehadrin min hamehadrin' level of Chanukah (חנוכה) lighting sometimes require fewer candles than the regular 'mehadrin' level? The shiur distinguishes between commemorating the military victory (lighting for each household member) versus the oil miracle (adding candles nightly). This reflects the concept of 'chavivut hanes' - the oil miracle was precious because it demonstrated God's love rather than practical necessity.
This shiur provides a detailed analysis of Masechta Shabbos (שבת) 21b regarding the different levels of Chanukah (חנוכה) lighting. Rabbi Zweig begins by explaining Rashi (רש"י)'s interpretation of the terms 'mehadrin' and 'mehadrin min hamehadrin,' where mehadrin means someone who wants to do more mitzvos, and mehadrin min hamehadrin refers to an even higher level of beautification. The shiur explores two fundamental approaches to understanding these levels. According to one interpretation, mehadrin involves lighting one candle per person in the household each night, while mehadrin min hamehadrin involves adding one additional candle each night (1, 2, 3, etc.) to reflect the days of the miracle. This creates a mathematical complexity on the final night - ten people doing mehadrin would light ten candles, while doing mehadrin min hamehadrin would only require eight candles, seemingly less than the 'lower' level.
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Shabbos 21b
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Why does the Gemara say one Shabbos protects from Amalek while two Shabboses bring redemption? The shiur applies a principle from Kiddushin about repetition changing psychology: the first time doing anything is experimental, but the second demonstrates genuine desire. True Shabbos connection with Hashem requires moving beyond spiritual curiosity to authentic internalization.
