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Why is Chanukah (חנוכה) the only mitzvah (מצוה) where one can make a berachah upon seeing someone else's observance? The unique halacha (הלכה) reflects the core message of Chanukah - rejecting Greek competitive philosophy in favor of Torah (תורה) values. Making Shehecheyanu on another's candles trains us to genuinely celebrate others' mitzvos rather than compete against them.
This shiur explores a unique halachic aspect of Chanukah (חנוכה) - the ability to make a berachah when seeing someone else's Chanukah candles, a law that exists for no other mitzvah (מצוה). The speaker explains this represents the fundamental difference between Torah (תורה) philosophy and Greek philosophy regarding competition. While Greek/Western philosophy promotes competition against others (exemplified by the Olympics), Torah teaches us to compete only against ourselves. The Chanukah berachah, including Shehecheyanu, trains us to genuinely celebrate others' mitzvah observance rather than begrudge their success. According to the Rambam (רמב"ם), one can make this berachah even after already lighting at home, emphasizing that this is about joy in others' accomplishments, not fulfilling one's own obligation. The rabbis specifically instituted this berachah for Chanukah as an 'anti-competition message' - the ultimate Jewish value of having an ayin tovah (good eye) and rejoicing in others' success.
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Why doesn't Chanukah appear in the Mishna? The shiur develops a fundamental yesod: Chanukah represents the victory of Gemara—the human ability to use godly intellect (ner Hashem nishmas adam) to develop Torah SheBaal Peh. The Menorah symbolizes the soul's illumination through this koach, while the Mizbeach represents the body's recreation—together forming the complete tikkun of man.
Why does Megillas Esther interrupt Torah study for a message the world deemed ridiculous—that every man should rule his home? The shiur develops the yesod that the moon's willingness to "make itself small" doesn't diminish it but creates unified sovereignty. A woman who enables her husband to lead isn't relegated to second class—she is the king-maker, comfortable creating oneness where a man cannot.
Halachos Ner Hanukkah - Ro'eh (seeing another's candles)
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