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Why can hidur mitzvah (מצוה) by Chanukah (חנוכה) cost far more than the usual one-third limit that applies to other mitzvos? The shiur distinguishes between two types of hidur mitzvah: aesthetic beautification (limited by shlish) and adding substantive dimensions to the mitzvah itself. Multiple Chanukah candles don't just beautify but enhance pirsumei nisa by publicizing how many people were saved.
Rabbi Zweig analyzes Shabbos (שבת) 22b regarding the laws of Chanukah (חנוכה) lighting, specifically focusing on the concept of hidur mitzvah (מצוה) (beautifying a mitzvah). He begins by reviewing the debate between Rashi (רש"י) and the Rambam (רמב"ם) regarding ner ish u'beiso - whether Chanukah lighting is an obligation on individuals (Rashi) or on the household (Rambam). This leads to different understandings of hidur mitzvah. The central thesis is that hidur mitzvah has two distinct categories. The first type involves beautifying a mitzvah physically or aesthetically, which is limited by the principle that one should not spend more than a third (shlish) beyond the basic mitzvah cost. The second type involves adding substantive dimensions or meaning to the mitzvah itself.
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Shabbos 22b
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