DVAR TORAH Towards the middle of the "al hanisim" prayer, there is a lengthy series of contrasts used by our Chazal to illustrate G-d's salvation: "the many in the hands of the few, the mighty in the hands of the weak, the impure in the hands of the pure, the evil in the hands of the righteous, and the wanton in the hands of those dedicated to Torah." Why so many, and what is the difference between them?
According to the Rav, HaRav Joseph B. Soloveitchik, ztz"l, the reason is that this prayer describes two enemies - the Seleucid Greeks, and then, in the last two phrases, the Hellenists - Jews who assimilated and adopted Greek culture.
Why mention them? Because, as the Rav explained, in every aspect of life, there are two dimensions, "alma d'itkasya" [lit. "the hidden world"] and "alma d'itgalya" [lit. "the revealed world"]. By nature, human beings only see the "revealed" - which in the case of the Chanukah story, was the obvious story of the war against the Greeks and even the miracle of the oil.
But beneath the surface, the real battle of Chanukah was the battle between Jews, a struggle which our Chazal only hinted at - allowed to remain in the realm of the "hidden" - because it could easily be misunderstood and spoke so poorly of our people.
The "alma d'itgalya" of Chanukah was the war against the Greeks. The "alma d'itkasya" was the war against the Hellenists. This, concluded the Rav, is also why Chanukah is an eternal holiday. Because despite the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and the downfall of the Maccabees, we never again suffered from such disastrous infighting of Jew versus Jew.
All of this means that the lights of Chanukah celebrate not merely a military victory or even the miracle of the oil but the peace that was created among our people.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Chanukah Part 2: Lighting Candles and Havdalah - Which Comes First? The Shulchan Aruch [Orach Chaim 681:2] rules that Chanukah lights should be lit in shul before Havdalah. The Rama [ibid.] adds that one should do the same at home. However, the Taz [Orach Chaim 681:1] argues vigorously and at great length, that one should first say Havdalah when lighting at home. The Taz emphasizes the importance of the rule of "Tadir Usheino Tadir" - that havdalah is the more common mitzvah and therefore should occur before Chanukah candles.
The accepted practice for shul is to light Chanukah candles before havdalah [Biur Halacha 681 s.v. Madlikin and Ben Ish Chai Parshat Vayeshev 21]. The reason for this is that in shul only one person lights, and therefore, it postpones the end of Shabbat for everyone else ("Afukei Yoma Meacharinan"). In addition, the Aruch Hashulchan [Orach Chaim 681:2] explains that since a greaer "publicity of the Chanukah miracle" occurs when lighting Chanukah lights in shul, there is more reason to light them before havdalah, vs. at home where there are fewer people and therefore, less publicity.
However, regarding how to light at home, before or after havdalah, is still subject to a major debate. The Vilna Gaon, Eliyahu Rabba, Chamad Moshe, Bait Meir, and Chayei Adam rule in accordance with the Rama (before havdalah). The Maharal of Prague, Pri Chadash, and Tosafot Yom Tov side with the Taz (after havdalah).
The Mishna Berura [681:3] concludes that this dispute remains unresolved and therefore one may follow either opinion. Sefardic authorities [Ben Ish Chai, Parshat Vayeshev 21 and Rav Ovadia Yosef, Teshuvot Yechave Daat 1:75] rule that at home one recite Havdalah and subsequently kindle Chanukah lights.
Rav David Zvi Hoffman [Teshuvot Melamed Lehoil 1:122] records that the custom in Germany was to follow the Taz and perform havdalah first. The Aruch Hashulchan [Orach Chaim 681:2] writes that the practice in Lithuania was to perform havdalah first, unless he heard havdalah in Shul.
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MAZAL TOV * to Mimi and Hesh Granek on the birth of a grandson, born to Izzy and Chaya Stein, and a granddaughter, Leor Margolit, born to Jordy and Yardena Stein. Special mazal tov to great grandmother, Susie Robinson.
* to Jon Korman on his upcoming marriage to Elisheva Eisenberg. Mazal tov to Mrs. Debbie Korman and Dr. Larry & Maureen Eisenberg.
* to Mimi and Hesh Granek on the engagement of her daughter, Rachel to Motti Olshan. Special mazal tov to grandmother, Susie Robinson.
* to Alan and Leah Cohen on the birth of a grandson. The proud parents are Ayala and Baruch Zimmerman. The bris will be Tuesday, December 20th following the 7:00 am Minyan.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Rachel Silverman who is recuperating at home.
CONDOLENCES *to Mrs. Jan Mishkin on the passing of her brother, Mr. Ken Weger. While there is no shiva, Jan will be at her home 2824 W. Birchwood receiving condolence calls through Friday and can be reached at 773.494.4933 or janmishkin@yahoo.com.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
Early Minyan Kiddush extras are sponsored by Jim and Meira Mainzer.
Seudah Shlishit at KINS North is sponsored by Mark and Linda Freedman in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Mark’s father, Dr. Mel Freedman z’l and Mark’s grandfather, David Abraham z’l.
Donations to the Kiddush Fund: * by Larry and Sheryl Merzel in memory of Larry’s father, Yishaiyahu ben HaRav Dovid and Larry’s mother, Ita Chava bat Eliyahu and in honor of their anniversary. * by Azi and Shari Feifel in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Azi’s father, Chaim Feifel z’l.
The Parent/Child Learning is sponsored by Etan and Rifi Bleichman
The Women’s Chanukah Shiur on Monday, December 19th is sponsored by Linda and Steve Lavenda in honor of women learning together.
DAYTIME DIALOGUES: Wednesdays at noon 30 MINUTES OF PARSHA - Wed. 8:00pm/Shabbat 8:30am
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - Wed. 8:15pm
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR – 3:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
PARENT-CHILD LEARNING - 1 hour after havdala
SEFER NECHEMIA - Sundays 9:00am
BIRTHDAYS Mr. Alan Sorscher (12/17) Nava Weil (12/20) Mrs. Neena Holley (12/21) Naftali Neikrug (12/21 Azi Leibtag (12/22) Leah Jacobs (12/23) Shuli Stopek (12/23)
ANNIVERSARIES Dr. Jordan and Elis Pollack (12/17) David and Yael Shiner (12/18) Levi and Lani Kahn (12/21) Daniel and Ronit Peikes (12/22) Jack and Annette Saltzman (12/23)
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 - Wed. 8:15pm
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR – 3:00pm 
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
PARENT-CHILD LEARNING - 1 hour after havdala
