DVAR TORAH The Talmudic source for the mitzvot of Chanukah is found in the Mesechet Shabbat. There we read that year after the miracle of Chanukah was when the Chashmonaim established this holiday - "keva'um ve'asa'um yamim tovim."
Rav Shmuel Bornstein, ztz"l, in his Shem Mi-Shmuel (Chanukah, 58), noted that the word "keva'um" and its root k.v.a. signify permanence. He wrote: "It would seem that the lights the Jews attain during Chanukah have a permanence, and do not leave them after Chanukah."
What did the Shem Mi-Shmuel mean by this? He explained that, unlike Shabbat and Yom Tov, Chanukah's spiritual impact is permanent. Because on Shabbat and Yom Tov, when melacha is prohibited, we create a distinct spiritual reality that disappears when we return to a weekday reality. But, because melacha is permitted on Chanukah and therefore it is like every other weekday, the impact of this holiday extends into our everyday lives.
This may also be why the mitzvah of lighting candles is specifically tied to a person's home - "ner ish u'vayto." Because it is in our homes that our lives unfold and we rear our families; therefore, it is the place where we need to feel the impact of Chanukah, the illumination of the lights of the menorah, even beyond the holiday itself.
On every other holiday, we carve out a space from our regular routine for kedusha. On Chanukah, we maintain our regular routine and thereby proclaim that everything we do, even the mundane "everyday," can be uplifted through the fulfillment of mitzvot.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Chanukah Part 3: Should Torah Study be Interrupted for the Lighting of Candles? According to Mishna Berura [Orech Chaim 678 note 10], once the time to light Chanukah candles has arrived, all other activities, whether eating, working, or even learning Torah, should stop, and the candles should be lit. In fact, one of the only reasons to postpone lighting candles is to wait for the family to gather and light them together [ibid.].
But should schools and yeshivot end the day early to allow for the lighting of candles?
In the early 1960s, Rav Aharon Lichtenstein asked his father-in-law, the late Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, whether the Kollel students at Yeshiva University should take a break, interrupt their Torah studies and return home to light Chanukah candles; or if they should remain in the Beit Midrash until the conclusion of their study period.
Rav Soloveitchik responded that the students should continue their studies until the conclusion of the usual study time, even though the ideal time to light Chanukah candles would pass. As a basis for this, he cited Meiri to Shabbat 21b, who noted a similar practice in his time. [cited by Rabbi Hershel Shachter, Peninei Harav, Hilchot Chanukah]. On another occasion, Rav Moshe Feinstein also ruled similarly [Ohalei Yeshurun p.8]. His reason was that communal Torah study takes precedence over lighting Chanukah candles at their optimal time.
Rav Lichtenstein explained this approach in the book "Kovod Harav." There, Rav Lichtenstein cites both Aruch Hashulchan [Shulchan Aruch, Even Haezer 1:13] and Rav Elchanan Wasserman [Kovetz Hearot, Yevamot appendix 1], that while Talmud Torah does not excuse one from performing a Mitzva, it does permit one to delay fulfilling a Mitzva.
One final note: Not all poskim agree with this approach, and there are Yeshivot and schools that end the learning day early. Even in Rav Lichtenstein's own Yeshiva in Israel (Yeshivat Har Etzion), the talmidim are given a break to light candles!
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REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Rachel Silverman who is recuperating at home.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
Kiddush at KINS North is sponsored by Glen and Ruth Miller in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Glen’s mother, Millie Miller z’l.
Thank you to Harold & Maureen Katz for the special Chanukah additions to the shul kiddush in honor of the younger members of KINS North.
Thank you to Harold & Maureen Katz for inaugurating our mobile Beit Midrash at KINS North to enhance the Torah learning for our members and guests. Please feel free to use the seforim before and after davening.
This Week of Learning is sponsored by Jim and Meira Mainzer in honor of Rabbi Matanky and the Sunday morning Navi Shiur.
A donation to the Kiddush Fund was made by: * Carol Silverman in honor of Richard’s special birthday. * Dr. Harvey and Diane Abramowitz in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Harvey’s mother, Lee Abramowitz z’l.
The Parent/Child Learning this week is sponsored by Simcha and Ellen Freedman
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 will not meet this week
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
PARENT-CHILD LEARNING - 1 hour after havdala
BIRTHDAYS Menachem Landsman (12/24) Solly Nussbaum (12/24) Mrs. Gitta Domsky (12/25) Mr. Robert W. Matanky (12/26) Ms. Carole Groover (12/27) Dr. Joshua Hassan (12/27) Adir Matanky (12/27) Mr. Richard Silverman (12/28) Ariella Kleinman (12/29) Mr. Ari Nussbaum (12/30)
ANNIVERSARIES Sam and Tirza Kahan (12/24) Lev and Orah Katz (12/24) Rabbi Kenny and Shelley Zisook (12/24) Dr. Eli and Miriam Jacobs (12/25) Dr. David and Rachel Spindel (12/25) Efrem and Neena Holley (12/26) Robert and Susan Kaplan (12/26) Rabbi Israel and Esther Porush (12/26) Rabbi Ari and Rebecca Zucker (12/27)
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