Chanukah- Miketz
The Rambam in hilchos Chanukah says “the mitzvah of ner Chanukah isחביבה היא עד מאד, cherished very much. A person needs to be careful to make known the nes and add praise for Hashem and give thanks to Him for the nissim which He did for us. Even if one receives money from tzedakah he needs to borrow or sell his clothes in order to buy oil and neiros to light.” What is unique that the Rambam specifically uses the term חביבה היא עד מאד?
The Rabeinu Yonah (sha’ar gimmel, beginning) brings, the Gemara saysחביבין דברי סופרין יותר מיינה של תורה, the Rabbinic enactments are more cherished than the wine of Torah. He explains that although the Torah laws are more stringent than Rabbinic enactments, their fences and additional rules protect us from transgressing the mitzvos. Therefore, they are especially cherished. The Gemara brings that Chanukah is the last of all the miracles. The Ben Yehoyada explains that the nes of Chanukah took place where there weren’t people that had ruach hakodesh. If so, the Rambam may be hinting to the idea that ner Chanukah is a Rabbanic enactment which is cherished, and being the last miracle, is especially beloved.
The Maggid Mishna explains the underlying reason for this halacha is pirsumei nissa, pronouncing to everyone the miracle of Chanukah. This is similar to the four cups of wine drunk by the Pesach Seder. The Rashbam says for the four cups a person needs to sell his clothes or hire himself out in order to have money to buy wine. This as well is also because of pirsumei nissa. If so, the Rambam’s usage of the term חביבה, cherished, may be hinting to the idea of pirsumei nissa which neiros Chanukah express.
The Sifsei Chaim adds that חביבה is describing the essence of the mitzvah of neiros Chanukah, which is to strengthen our emunah and accept Hashem’s rulership upon us. We are meant to not only express the miracle of Chanukah, but as the Rambam continues, to thank Hashem for all personal miracles one experiences, by recognizing and feeling Hashem is with him.
May Hashem help us cherish neiros Chanukah, being the last of all miracles for Klal Yisroel, and express special thanks for the miracles of Chanukah and each and every day.
