Post date: Dec 05, 2013 4:25:19 AM
Why is the last day of Chanukah called “Zos Chanukah?”
The daily Torah reading for Chanukah is taken from Parshas Naso which describes the Korbanos of each Nasi (prince) of each Shevet (tribe) brought at the time of the Chanukas HaMishkan (dedication/inauguration of the Tabernacle). After the last day’s description, the Torah records a tally of all of the Korbanos brought, and that section (Bamidbar 7:84) begins with the tords “Zos Chanukahs HaMizbei’ach” (This was the inauguration of the Alter).
The Sefer HaToda’ah tells us that since this is part of the Torah reading on the last day of Chanukah (and this section is unique from the readings on all of the other days), the day is referred to as “Zos Chanukah.”
[Inside Chanukah, p. 104]
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Even in exile, without any special preparation
Before fully participating in the biblically created holidays of Pesach, Shavuos and Succos, much preparation was necessary. This was not the case by the rabbinically inspired holidays of Chanukah and Purim. The Gemara (Rosh Hashanah 16b) explains “Chayav adam l’taheir atzmo” (that a person is required to purify himself). This means that after intensive preparation for the holiday and after arriving in Yerushalayim, the pilgrims would undergo a major spiritual transformation. We don’t see any similar reference in the Gemara related to a required preparation before Chanukah (or Purim). So it seems that we can more easily reach the appropriate mindset of Chanukah since there is no requisite period of intensive preparation.
The Sefas Emes tells us that this idea is alluded to within the very name “Chanukah:”
Chanu (Ches, Nun, Vav) = camp
Kah (Kaf, Heih) = here
Meaning that we should “camp here,” as we are right now. We are being told to bask in the aura of the holiday even if we haven’t prepared ourselves for its holiness. Even without having made preparation for these special days, we can and should try to benefit from these days.
[Days of Joy, p. 42]
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No extra day in Chutz La’aretz?
Why don’t we have a ninth day of Chanukah in Chutz La’aretz?
The Mor V’Ahalos relates the Remez (hint) of the Avudraham that the letters of the name “Chanukah” stand for “Ches Neiros V’halachah K’Beis Hillel”(we light eight candles and the Halachah follows the opinion of Beis Hillel), not only do we know that we act in accordance of the opinion of Beis Hillel (by increasing the number of candles lit each night by one), but that the method of our lighting must make it apparent that we rule as such (and that we don’t rule in accordance of Beis Shamai, by decreasing the number of candles lit each night by one). If nine days of Chanukah were observed, there would be no such clarity on the fifth night.
[Inside Chanukah, p. 102]
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The rearranged letters of “Chanukah” could be interpreted as being Roshei Teivos for the following phrase:
Chayavim Kulam Nashim U’ketanim Hamechunachim
Everyone is obligated (to have the candles lit, including) women, and children who are of the age of Chinuch (learning).
[Inside Chanukah, p. 463]