מהר"י שטייף – Chanukah – “להדליק נר חנוכה ” – The Lashon of the Brocha that we recite when lighting the Chanukah lamps is “להדליק נר חנוכה”. “נר” is a lamp – meaning that actual fire. One does not kindle the “נר” rather one kindles the wick with the oil in it, and that produces the light. Why is the Lashon of the Brocha, “להדליק נר חנוכה ” and not “להדליק פתילה חנוכה”? The Shlah Hakodosh says on the Posuk of Mishlei 6:23 “כי נר מצוה ותורה אור” – that a Mitzvah is a “נר” which is a lamp, that remains lit as long as there is oil or wax, something to burn – a Mitzvah is there as long as the Mitzvah is being performed. However, Torah is “אור” – light – light from the creation of the world – an eternal light. When a Mitzvah is done with Torah, that light remains for eternity. This is what Chazal were Meramez to us in the Brocha of lighting the Menorah on Chanukah, that the Mitzvah should be done through the light of Torah, and that will give it eternity.
