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A Message from our Rabbi
Rabbi Dale Polakoff

Perhaps this can be explained as choosing the value of sha-
lom bayit as a primary value. The Shabbat candles contrib-
ute to peace in the home, allowing people to see obstacles
that might lie in their path. Shalom bayit is clearly an
important value.

But perhaps there is another explanation as well. Shab-
bat candles happen every week, whereas the lighting of
the menorah is a one week per year experience. Shabbat
candles might be rote and routine whereas the menorah is
exciting and unusual. Although there is a natural tendency
to choose that which is new and exciting over that which is
rote and routine, the Halacha reminds us of the sanctity of
On the Friday night of Shabbat Chanukah we are faced with
two obligations that both involve the lighting of candles. the rote and routine, of the everyday consistency of mitz-
The first is the obligation of lighting Shabbat candles, and vah observance. As exciting as lighting the menorah is, a
the second is the obligation of lighting the candles of the life of consistent and regular observance is more important.
menorah.
May our Chanukah this year combine the new and exciting
with the rote and routine and may we learn to benefit from
The juxtaposition of these two “lightings” presents several
interesting halachik observations. Since Shabbat begins both of them
with the lighting of the Shabbat candles it is obviously
necessary to light the menorah before lighting the Shab- Ellen joins me in wishing you and your loved ones a
bat candles. This runs counter to an important principle lichtigen Chanukah.
often applied in a situation of competing obligations - tadir
veshe’eino tadir tadir kodem - when choosing between a
more commonly occurring obligation and a less commonly
occurring one, choose to first do the more common one.
Due to the technicality of accepting Shabbat with the light-
ing of the Shabbat candles, the application of this principle
is an impossibility.

Since the menorah is lit first, it’s also necessary to ensure
that there is sufficient fuel, either a long enough candle or
a large enough collection of oil, so that the candles of the
menorah burn for at least a half hour after dark, usually
about two hours’ worth.

The Halacha also discusses what should happen if a person
only has enough money to buy either Shabbat candles or
Chanukah candles. Which one should he choose?

The Halacha certainly considers the lighting of the can-
dles of the menorah a significant obligation. The Rambam
refers to it as a very precious and important mitzvah, and it
includes a public component of commemorating the mirac-
ulous events of the Chashmonaim victory, thereby sanctify-
ing Hashem’s name.
Shalom bayit is clearly an important value.
And yet, the Halacha requires us, if faced with such a
choice, to choose the Shabbat candles over the candles of
the menorah.

SCOPE Magazine Chanukah 2022 4