We have seen many similarities that we find between the menorah of Chanukah and the menorah in the Beis Hamikdash. But when it comes to the type of oil that we use, this does not apply.
Olive Oil
When it comes to the menorah in the Beis Hamikdash, there were very specific rules and regulations in regards to which oil could be used. However, when it comes to Chanukah, the Gemara tells us that these rules do not apply, and any oil and wicks can be used. But if the menorah of Chanukah is to replicate the menorah in the Beis Hamikdash, should it not require the same oil as the menorah in the Beis Hamikdash? Indeed, the P’nei Yehoshua proves from here that the menorah of Chanukah does not have to be exactly like the menorah of the Beis Hamikdash.
The Chasam Sofer, however, suggests that there is a specific reason for this exception. The Chachamim did not make this as a requirement because of the extreme difficulty involved in following the exact requirements needed for the menorah of the Beis Hamikdash, requiring pure olive oil. Since requiring exactly what was used in the Beis Hamikdash was not feasible, they did not make it a requirement to use olive oil.
The Gemara does mention that it is preferable to use olive oil. Tosfos explains that this is because it burns better. The Rama adds that since the reason for the preference of olive oil is that it burns better, we do not need to use oil per se, and the prevalent custom was to use wax candles, since they burn nicely.
The Rama, however, in Darkei Moshe mentions that olive oil is preferable because it was the oil that was used at the time of the miracle. This is also mentioned in the Me’iri.
Hidur to use the precise oil used in the Beis Hamikdash
In fact, there is a hidur (beautification of the mitzvah) quoted in the name of Rav Elyashiv, to use the precise oil that was used in the Beis Hamikdash. He rules that the oil should be edible, as only oil that was edible was kosher to be used in the Beis Hamikdash. Similarly, cooked oil was invalid for use in the Beis Hamikdash. Hence, one should use oil that is cold pressed and not cooked. The third hidur is to take out the seeds, since the oil from the seeds is not considered olive oil and was not kosher for the menorah in the Beis Hamikdash.
Congealed Oil
There is an interesting question about using congealed oil, since in the solid state it is not a liquid and not halachically considered oil. The Shevet Halevi was of the opinion that although congealed oil may not have been allowed in the Beis Hamikdash, it may still be used for Chanukah. Since as the oil starts burning it will return to a liquid state, it is similar enough to the oil of the Beis Hamikdash, and will suffice for the hidur of using olive oil on Chanukah. However, Rav Shternbuch, in Teshuvos V’hanhagos asserts that congealed oil should not be used.
