Although lighting the Menora is
a time-bound mitzva which women are normally exempt from, the Gemara (Shabbos 23a) writes that as women
were also involved in the miracle of Chanuka, they are obligated
in ner Chanuka. Thus, women must light the Menora
unless someone else has lit one at home.
The
Rishonim debate what miracle the Gemara is referring to. According to Rashi
this refers to the abolishment of the threat that brides were under while
according to Ran it was
the famous incident of Yochanan’s daughter, Yehudis, who killed the Chief
General. As she fed him cheese to make him thirsty, the Rema (OC 670:2) writes
that there is a minhag to eat milky foods on Chanuka. R’ Yaakov Emden (Mor Uketzia OC 670) points out, however,
that the story of Yehudis occurred hundreds of years earlier during the time of
the first beis hamikdash (See Kaf Hachaim OC 670:17; Aruch Hashulchan OC
670:8; Rivevos
Ephraim 4:157).
Additionally, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 670:1) writes that women should not do
any melacha while the Menora lights are burning. The Taz (OC 670:2) compares Yehudis’ actions to the women who
didn’t participate in the golden calf, for which they were rewarded with Rosh
Chodesh. Accordingly, this restriction only applies to women.
The Vilna Gaon (Biur Hagra OC 670:1) writes that
this is to remind one not to benefit from the Menora’s lights. R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 5:434 beshem his
father) writes that accordingly, this restriction
applies equally to men. The
minhag however, is that only women need to refrain from melacha (See
Mor Uketzia ibid).
While
the Magen Avraham (OC 670:2) writes that this applies so long as the lights
are burning, the Mishna Berura (670:4) and Kaf Hachaim (OC 670:8) write that
this only applies for the first half hour.
R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 1:436; 3:163) writes that while there are
different opinions as to what melachos are
permitted, only sewing and laundry, etc. are forbidden. One may cook and do any
other melacha that is otherwise permitted on chol hamoed.
R’
Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Minchas Shlomo Tinyana 58:5) writes that women do not
need to recite hallel on Chanuka while R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet Halevi
1:205) writes that women are obligated.
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