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One to Eight or Eight to One?

The Talmud on Chanukah, Lesson 2

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One to Eight or Eight to One?: The Talmud on Chanukah, Lesson 2

This class will be examining the Talmud’s discussion on how many Chanukah lights should be kindled on each night of Chanukah. Explore the different opinions and possibilities and their respective reasoning. If you think it’s simple, then it may be a lot more nuanced than you imagine.
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Hiddur Mitzvah, Talmud, Chanukah, Menorah

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2 Comments
Sylvia U.K. November 27, 2015

Women Dear Rabbi,
Hopefully the answer is next time, however, I am thinking (correct?) if the Mitzvah is for the man of the house, what happens if everyone is lighting a candle and some are women?
The words 'diminishing' or 'lessening' maybe not the correct way to describe this situation as then we get confused with the teaching of growth and progression. When something decreases it is not always negative. For example; when a person draws closer to HaShem after living a worldly life, then the decrease in worldly behaviour is favourable due to the increase in spirituality. 1-8 0r 8-1 really depends on what we are taught and how we perceive the matter. Number 1 can be either negative or positive. I look forward to your next lesson. Thank you. Reply

Avrahom Broward County, FL. December 14, 2017
in response to Sylvia:

The man should light the first candle (the shames candle not counting) then the wife on the second night is to light the second candle, the child or children are to light the next available candle, after the parents have lit their respective candles. It is to remind us of a family tradition that existed during the Chanukah lighting ceremony. Chag Sumach. Reply

Join the Talmud’s discussion as we explore and debate various selected texts from the vast sea of the Talmud, and gain insight and appreciation of its rich knowledge. This series will help enhance your skills in Talmudic analysis and reasoning, whilst providing a window into the style and language of the Talmud, also known as the Gemara. These courses are taught by Rabbi Binyomin Bitton, an expert Talmudic scholar, who masterfully presents the Talmud’s profound wisdom in a clear, easy to follow, and intellectually stimulating manner.
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