The Inner Light of Chanukah #1: Universal Individuality2 min read

In the beginning of hilchos Chanukah, we find two halachos whose contrary implications point to a deeply fundamental idea in Jewish thought. The Shulchan Aruch (671:1) states that one who does not have enough money to afford the materials required to fulfill the mitzvah of hadlakas ner Chanuka in even its most basic form (a single candle per night [see Mishnah Berurah 671:4] with enough oil to last a half hour [Shulchan Aruch 672:2]; if buying cheaper wax candles will enable him to progressively light more candles each night, this is what he should do [Mishnah Berura 671:7]), he must sell his very cloak in order to obtain the necessary funds. While some authorities (Ohr Sameach, Shabbos 5:1 and Bei’ur Halacha, OC 263:2) maintain that the same requirement would apply to acquiring Shabbos candles, others (Yeshuos Malko, Hilchos Chanuka 4:14 and Ponivezher Rav, Kovetz Shiurim, Hilchos Shabbos) hold that this law is unique to Chanuka candles. The Mishna Berura (671:2) comments that the basis for this requirement is “pirsumei nisah”, in order to publicize the great miracle Hashem performed for the Jewish nation.

A second halacha we learn in this siman is that, according to the Ramah (671:2) who holds that each member of the household lights his own menorah, the menoros should be lit at a distance from one another so the amount of candles we are lighting each night should be clear.

In sefer Hakitzu V’Ranenu, the author explains that each member of our holy nation contains both an inner and outer identity. The outer identity relates to one’s unique circumstances; talents, experiences, background, abilities, occupation, family dynamic etc. The inner identity relates to the universal mission shared by the collective soul of our entire nation. The task, and struggle, of life is to align the two – to enable the inner light of our collective soul to shine through the uniqueness of our own experience and utilize that individuality for the sake of the collective goal of spreading Hashem’s light in the world. One identity does not, and indeed must not negate the other;  it is specifically in using our uniqueness properly that we are able us to align with the “sameness” of the collective national mission we all share.

Perhaps we may suggest that this is the message of the interplay between these two halachos. On one level, the pauper must sell the very shirt off his back to buy Chanukah candles – not for the purpose of his own avodah, but because he, too, must serve the purpose of the collective Jewish soul in publicizing Hashem’s Presence in the world. (See Avnei Nezer, OC Vol. 2, 501) However, at the very same time, it is imperative that each person’s menorah stands alone and remains distinct. This teaches that the collective mission of our holy nation should never negate the individuality and uniqueness of each Jew, the external identity which can alone allow for the proper revelation of the  glorious inner identity we share.