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Is lighting Chanukah (חנוכה) candles a personal obligation or a household one? The shiur develops the fundamental machlokes between Rashi (רש"י) (personal obligation - each person must light) and the Rambam (רמב"ם) (household obligation - each house requires lighting). This dispute determines crucial practical questions like whether travelers, hotel guests, or wedding attendees can light where they are.
Rabbi Zweig presents a detailed analysis of Masechta Shabbos (שבת) regarding the laws of Chanukah (חנוכה) candle lighting, focusing on the fundamental disagreement between Rashi (רש"י) and the Rambam (רמב"ם) about the nature of the obligation. The shiur begins with the Gemara (גמרא)'s statement 'ner ish u'beiso' (a candle for a man and his household) and examines how Rashi and the Rambam interpret this phrase differently. According to Rashi, 'beiso' refers to the man's family, making it a personal obligation where each person has a duty to light. According to the Rambam, 'bayis' refers to the physical house, making it a household obligation where the house itself requires lighting. Rabbi Zweig explores the extensive practical ramifications of this dispute. If it's a personal obligation (Rashi), then someone camping outside, staying in a hotel, or attending a wedding can light wherever they are. If it's a household obligation (Rambam), then only houses require lighting, and someone without a house cannot fulfill the mitzvah (מצוה). The shiur examines scenarios like guests in someone else's home, people traveling, and those attending simchas during Chanukah. Rabbi Zweig also discusses the concept of mehadrin (beautifying the mitzvah) and how Rashi and the Rambam understand this differently. Rashi views mehadrin as 'those who chase after mitzvos,' implying multiple acts of gratitude, while the Rambam sees it as hiddur mitzvah - beautifying a single mitzvah. The analysis extends to whether the obligation requires shlichus (agency) and how it compares to other household mitzvos like mezuzah. Rabbi Zweig cites the Rambam's formulation that lighting Chanukah candles serves 'to publicize the miracle and to add praise and thanksgiving to Hashem (ה׳) for the miracles He performed for us.' This leads to a discussion of whether lighting multiple candles represents multiple thank-yous or a single beautified expression of gratitude. The shiur concludes by addressing a question from Rabbeinu Chananel about the limits of hiddur mitzvah spending, showing how the different understandings of mehadrin affect this halachic principle.
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Shabbos 22a
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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.
