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Shabbos 24

1) CHANUKAH AND "SHEMEN SEREIFAH"

QUESTION: Why does the Gemara interrupt its discussion of Chanukah to discuss the prohibition of lighting the Shabbos candles with the Sugya of "Shemen Sereifah" (Terumah oil that became Tamei and must be burned)?

ANSWERS:

(a) The RASHBA (end of 23b) in the name of RABEINU YONAH and the CHIDUSHEI HA'RAN explain that the Sugya of Shemen Sereifah is relevant to the laws of Chanukah. Rabah and Rav Chisda (23b) argue concerning the reason why one may not light the Shabbos candles with Shemen Sereifah -- either because of the fear that one may tilt the lamp to speed up the burning process (-Rabah), or because the Mishnah is talking about a case when Yom Tov falls on Friday, and lighting with Shemen Sereifah is forbidden on Yom Tov.

Consequently, this discussion is also relevant to the laws of Chanukah. When Shabbos and Chanukah coincide, may one use Shemen Sereifah for the *Chanukah lights* on Friday evening? Even if we conclude that it is permitted to use all of the other inferior oils on Chanukah (because "Kavsah Ein Zakuk Lah" and "Asur l'Hishtamesh l'Orah"), using Shemen Sereifah will still be prohibited according to Rabah because of a new concern -- perhaps one will tilt the lamp on Shabbos to speed up the burning process. Therefore, the discussion of Shemen Sereifah is interjected here in the Gemara.

MAHARATZ CHAYOS adds that according to Rabah, it is not permitted to burn Shemen Sereifah even on a *weeknight* of Chanukah. Since Rabah maintains that there is a fear that one may tilt the lamp to speed up the burning of the oil, we are concerned that one might consequently cause the amount of oil in the Chanukah lamp to diminish to less than the amount required to remain burning for the proper length of time.

(b) The RASHASH says that this discussion is interjected here for the opposite reason. Since, according to Rav Chisda's reason for not lighting the Shabbos candles with Shemen Sereifah, it is not applicable *at all* to Chanukah, the Gemara waited until after the discussion of kindling the wicks and lights of Chanukah to discuss it. After discussing the Chanukah lights, the Gemara returns to the Mishnah and discusses this Halachah (which also involves wicks and lights.). Afterwards, the Gemara goes returns to address the laws of Chanukah which do not have anything to do with the lights that are lit. (Since there is no other Maseches that discusses it, this is the best place for the discussion).

QUESTION: The Gemara asks whether we recite "Al ha'Nisim" in Birkas ha'Mazon on Chanukah. Both RASHI and TOSFOS explain that the Gemara did not ask whether we recite "Al ha'Nisim" in Shemoneh Esreh, because it was obvious to the Gemara that we do (as Rav Sheshes says at the end of the Sugya). Rashi and Tosfos seem to argue, though, *why* we recite "Al ha'Nisim" in Shemoneh Esreh.

Rashi says that we say "Al ha'Nisim" in Shemoneh Esreh because "[the days of Chanukah] were established as days of praise and thanksgiving, as the Gemara said earlier (21b)" (and therefore we obviously make mention of Chanukah in our Shemoneh Esreh). Tosfos, however, says that it is because "Shemoneh Esreh is recited in public where there is Pirsum Nes (publicizing the miracle of Chanukah), so Al ha'Nisim is recited. But Birkas ha'Mazon is recited individually in one's home where there is no Pirsum Nes."

Furthermore, Rashi and Tosfos argue concerning another point. In the end of the Sugya, Rav Sheshes says, "Just like Al ha'Nisim is recited in the Hoda'ah (thanksgiving) section of Shemoneh Esreh, so, too, it is recited in the Hoda'ah section of Birkas ha'Mazon."

Rashi explains that the reason why "Al ha'Nisim" is mentioned in the Hoda'ah section of Birkas ha'Mazon (and Shemoneh Esreh) is because the entire institution of Chanukah is for the sake of giving thanks (Hoda'ah), so, naturally, we recite "Al ha'Nisim" in the blessing of giving thanks. Tosfos, though, writes that we recite "Al ha'Nisim" in Hoda'ah because the style of the "Al ha'Nisim" addition is that of thanksgiving (thanking Hashem) and not of prayer (making requests of Hashem). Had it been written in the style of a prayer, it would have indeed been placed in "Boneh Yerushalayim," where all other special days are mentioned. What is the basis of the argument between Rashi and Tosfos?

ANSWER: When the Gemara answers, "If one wants to say Al ha'Nisim, he may say it in Hoda'ah," Tosfos understands that the reason to say "Al ha'Nisim" is the same reason for saying any other special paragraph for a special day (like Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh, or Yom Tov); the Rabanan established that on special days, one should make mention of that day in Birkas ha'Mazon.

Rashi argues. Rashi understands that the Gemara's reason for saying "Al ha'Nisim" is not to because of the concept of making mention of the special day in Birkas ha'Mazon (because we only make mention of festivals that are mid'Oraisa, and Chanukah is mid'Rabanan). Rather, the reason for saying "Al ha'Nisim" in Birkas ha'Mazon is because of the unique obligation to give thanks to Hashem on Chanukah (because that is the whole purpose of Chanukah, as the Gemara says earlier, "l'Hallel v'Hoda'ah").

This difference in understanding the essential nature of "Al ha'Nisim" explains why Rashi and Tosfos give different reasons for reciting it in Shemoneh Esreh, and different reasons for reciting it in the section of Hoda'ah. (RAV Y.D. HOMNICK in SEFER NACHALAS YAKOV)

QUESTION: The RAMBAM (Hilchos Berachos 2:6) rules that one says "Al ha'Nisim" in Birkas ha'Mazon. This is also how the SHULCHAN ARUCH (OC 682:1) rules. Why is saying "Al ha'Nisim" obligatory? Our Gemara seems to say that it is optional ("Rav Huna said that one does not mention Al ha'Nisim, but *if one wants to mention it*, he says it Hoda'ah")!

ANSWERS:

(a) The ROSH YOSEF gives three answers. First, the simple understanding of Rav Sheshes, in the end of the Gemara, is that he is saying that one *must* say "Al ha'Nisim" and he is arguing with Rav Huna. This is indeed how RABEINU CHANANEL seems to explain the Gemara (although his text had the name "Rava" instead of "Rav Sheshes").

(b) Since the Jews accepted upon themselves to say "Al ha'Nisim" in Birkas ha'Mazon, it has become obligatory (like the Ma'ariv Shemoneh Esreh).

(c) The Yerushalmi says that "Al ha'Nisim" is obligatory, and if one forgets to say it, he must *repeat Birkas ha'Mazon*. Since the Bavli and Yerushalmi are arguing, the Rambam rules that we must be stringent in accordance with the Yerushalmi and require that "Al ha'Nisim" be said in Birkas ha'Mazon. However, one does not repeat Birkas ha'Mazon if he forgets to say "Al ha'Nisim," because doing so would be a Berachah le'Vatalah according to the Bavli. (ROSH YOSEF, citing the LECHEM MISHNAH)

24b

The Gemara concludes that the Halachah is not like "all of these teaching," but rather like the teaching of Rebbi Yehoshua Ben Levi that we make mention of Shabbos in Ne'ilah on Yom Kippur (when Shabbos and Yom Kippur coincide). RASHI says that the Gemara is repudiating *all* of the previous statements, including that of Rav Gidal who said that we do not mention Rosh Chodesh in the blessing after the Haftarah on Shabbos (when Shabbos and Rosh Chodesh coincide).

Why does Rashi say that Rav Gidal's ruling is also refuted? The ruling of Rebbi Yehoshua Ben Levi does *not* conflict with Rav Gidal's ruling! The reason why we mention Shabbos in Ne'ilah (Rebbi Yehoshua Ben Levi's ruling) is because of the concept of "Yom she'Chayav Bo Arba Tefilos," that is, there are already several other Shemoneh Esreh's that one recites on Shabbos-Yom Kippur which must include mention of Shabbos (since they would be recited even if it was not Yom Kippur). Therefore, in Ne'ilah, which one recites only because of Yom Kippur, one should still make mention of Shabbos. The Haftarah, however, is *never* read on Rosh Chodesh, so there is no reason to warrant mentioning Rosh Chodesh in the blessing of the Haftarah! (TOSFOS, DH v'Leis) ANSWERS:

(a) The ROSH explains (2:16) that once we are informed of the second statement of Rav (related to us in his name by Rav Achadvoy), in which it is clear that Rav does not agree with the concept of "Yom she'Chayav Bo Arba Tefilos," it is evident that Rav Gidal and Rav Achadvoy are not arguing, but are expressing the same opinion of Rav through two different cases. Consequently, it makes sense to say that once Rav Achadvoy's opinion is rejected, so, too, is Rav Gidal's.

(b) RASHI apparently understands that the Shemoneh Esreh of Ne'ilah is not like any other Shemoneh Esreh. Ne'ilah is not in the category of ordinary Tefilos (which were instituted to correspond to the various Korbanos), but it is a completely new institution, which was established as a way of concluding the fast. (Ne'ilah is not an "Avodah," but is a "G'mar Tzom.") Therefore, since Shabbos has no connection with Ne'ilah because it is not a normal Shemoneh Esreh, this case is identical to the case of mentioning Rosh Chodesh in the Haftarah blessing (and since Rebbi Yehoshua Ben Levi rules in contrast to Rav Gidal, Rav Gidal is refuted). (M. Kornfeld)

HALACHAH: According to Rashi's explanation of the Gemara, we *do* mention Rosh Chodesh in the blessing after the Haftarah on Shabbos (*not* like Rav Gidal). According to Tosfos' explanation, we do *not* mention Rosh Chodesh (like Rav Gidal).

Many Rishonim learn like Rashi (the Rif, Rabeinu Yonah, Rosh), but, as the Rosh writes, they limit the Halachah to mentioning Rosh Chodesh in the middle of the blessing but not in the concluding blessing itself (the same way we mention "Ya'aleh v'Yavo" in the Shemoneh Esreh on Shabbos, but we do not make mention of it in the concluding blessing, "Baruch Atah Hashem Mikdash ha'Shabbos").

The SHULCHAN ARUCH (OC 284:2) cites first the opinion of Tosfos and then the opinion of the Rosh, and concludes that "the common practice is like the first opinion," that is, *not* to mention Rosh Chodesh at all in the blessing after the Haftarah.