Shabbos Daf 21 שבת דַף 21

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1. Oils and wicks used in the Beis Hamikdash

Rami bar Chama taught a Baraisa that says that the wicks and oils that are prohibited to use for Shabbos lights cannot be used to kindle with in the Beis Hamikdash. This is based on the passuk, להעלות נר תמיד – To kindle the lamp continually. Rami bar Chama explains the Baraisa, that the unusual use of the word להעלות – To cause to ascend, teaches that one must choose wicks and oils of which their flame will ascend by itself. This excludes the wicks and oils which are prohibited to use for the Shabbos candles due to their poor ability to be lit.

2. Different ways to light the Menorah

It was taught in a Baraisa that the essential mitzvah of Chanukah lights is one light, each night, per household (נר איש וביתו).

•Mehadrin – each person in the household lights one per night.

•Mehadrin min hamehadrin –

•Beis Shammai says that on the first day of Chanukah one kindles eight lights and then each following day he decreases the amount by eliminating one light.

•Beis Hillel says that on the first day of Chanukah one kindles one light, and then each following day he adds another light.

•R’ Yose bar Avin and R’ Yose bar Zevida disagree on what the reasoning was behind the ruling of Beis Shammai and what the reasoning was behind the ruling of Beis Hillel.

•One holds that Beis Shammai’s reason for decreasing the number of lights each night, is to correspond to the days of Chanukah which are yet to come, while Beis Hillel’s reason for increasing the number of lights each night, is to correspond to the days that have passed.

•The other holds that Beis Shammai’s reason for decreasing the number of lights each night, is to correspond to the bull offerings which were brought on Sukkos, which diminished each day, and Beis Hillel’s reason for increasing the number of lights each night, is based on the principle of מעלין בקדש ואין מורידין – In sacred matters we elevate the degree of sanctity and do not lower the degree.

3. מאי חנוכה?

The Gemara provides the origins of Chanuka after asking the question, מאי חנוכה? – What is Chanukah ? Rashi explains this question as follows: “Because of what miracle did they establish Chanukah?

The Gemara answers that for eight days it is not permitted to fast or give hespedim because of the miracle of the oil that was supposed to be lit for one day and lasted for eight days.

The following year these eight days were established as yomim tovim of Hallel and Thanksgiving (הודאה).