HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Chanukah Part 1: When is the Ideal Time to Light Candles? The Talmud [Shabbat 21b] writes that the proper time for lighting the Chanukah light is "from the setting of the sun."
But what is "the setting of the sun?"
According to Rambam [Hilchot Chanukah 4:5] "the setting of the sun" is the beginning of sunset (i.e., "Shkiah"), while both Tur Shulchan Aruch [Orech Chaim 672] and Shulchan Aruch [Orech Chaim 672:1] rule that this refers to the END of the process of the sun setting (i.e., Tzeit Hakochavim).
While this dispute has not been definitively resolved, Aruch Hashulchan [ibid, 672:4] writes that the generally accepted practice is to light Chanukah candles at the later time. However, he does note that some do follow Rambam's position and still light from the sunset. To avoid all doubts, Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik used to light very long candles at the beginning of sunset so that the candles should last at least a half an hour after the end of sunset (Tzeit Hakochavim).
However, most other authorities rule that we do not have to be concerned with the earlier lighting time and only consider the later time of "tzait hakochavim."
Therefore, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef [Yalkut Yosef 5:208] ruled that in Israel, the proper time to light is fifteen minutes after sunset. According to Rabbi Shimon Eider, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein [Halachot of Chanukah p. 20], would light Chanukah candles in New York, thirteen to eighteen minutes after sunset. [Interestingly, Rabbi Aaron Felder [Moadei Yeshurun p. 7], disagreed and wrote that Reb Moshe ruled that the preferable time to light is ten minutes after sunset.] Rabbi Aharon Kotler [Halachot, ibid.] when living in the New York area lit twenty-five to thirty minutes after sunset, and Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetsky [Emet L'Yaakov p. 251] ruled that Chanukah lights in the New York area ideally should be kindled approximately twenty minutes after sunset.
All of these New York times would be similar in Chicago, and therefore, Chanukah candles should be lit approximately 10-20 minutes after sunset and remain burning for at least 30 minutes.
DVAR TORAH At the beginning of our parasha, the Torah tells the story of Yaakov's dream of a ladder that extended from the earth to heaven, and on that ladder were angels climbing up and down. Ad the Talmud [Chulin 91] that the reason the angels were going up and down was to compare the image of Yaakov that was found beneath the G-d's throne with the real-life Yaakov on the earth.
HaRav Yosef D. Soloveitchik explained that the angels were amazed at the similarity of the images - that the earthly Yaakov looked exactly like the heavenly image of Yaakov. Which meant that Yaakov had fully achieved his potential since the heavenly image was of his potential. This was so unusual that it stirred the of the angels who came to inspect this amazing man for themselves.
Added the Rav that when G-d creates anyone, he gives them certain gifts and talents and has in His mind how a person should use them. That is our heavenly image, and we must strive throughout our lives to try have the two images match. But the Rav added that angels are not the only ones who compare the images in the heavens with what is here on earth. People do this as well. Because wherever religious Jews go, people are comparing them with what they intuitively know to be the image of a religious Jew up in Heaven.
This, said the Rav is the great challenge of Jewish life. To live lives in which we fulfil our potential while preserving the Heavenly image we were all grant by G-d.
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MAZAL TOV * to Karl and Rochelle Miller on the engagement of their son Trevor to Lily Allen. REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel – Etai Yaakov ben Tzipporah, who is recovering in rehab.
CONDOLENCES * to Mrs. Elizabeth Shapiro, R’ Hillel Shapiro, and Mrs. Naomi Sutton and families on the loss of their husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Rabbi Meir Shapiro.Shiva is at the Shapiro residences, 6833 N. Kedzie, Apt 315. Shacharit is at 7:30 AM and Mincha/Maariv is at 4:10 PM. Mrs. Shapiro and Naomi Sutton will be sitting shiva through Friday afternoon and Hillel Shapiro will be sitting shiva through Tuesday morning.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
Main Minyan Kiddush is sponsored by Trude Matanky and Kalman and Ethel Shiner in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of their mother, Clara Shiner z’l.
KINS North Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by Malka and Steve Miretzky in memory of Steve’s mother, Sarah bas Tzvi Hirsch, on the occasion of her 5th yahrzeit.
DAILY & WEEKLY SHIURIM Please note: Rabbi Myers' Parsha Class will not meet Shabbat morning 10/23
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT December 7 - HTC’s 99th Anniversary Gala honoring Dr. Stephen and Cheryl Karesh with the Etz Chaim Award, Rabbi Zvi and Rachel Zimmerman with the Marbitz Torah Leadership Award, and Hal and Rochel Garfinkel with the Distinguished Parents Award. To RSVP and place an ad, visit www.htc.edu/gala.
BIRTHDAYS Mrs. Rachel Spindel (11/14) Rabbi Azi Feifel (11/15) Mrs. Ilana Karesh (11/15) Rabbi David Rosenberg (11/18)
Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park Main: 2800 W. North Shore Ave & North: 3003 West Touhy • Chicago, IL 60645 P 773.761.4000 • F 773.761.4959 • www.congkins.org
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM, Wednesday 8:15p
TALMUD CLASS – Shabbat, 45 minutes before mincha
