There is a halachic dispute as to the proper location for lighting the Chanukah menorah today. Lighting outside the home would be the most sensible as this this is place Chazal designated as the correct setting. However, as the Gemara points out, this designation was revised because of the dangers that existed at the time and the lighting was moved into the home. The Rama seems to be quite clear that the lighting should be done inside, yet one should still try to light by a window so as to include in his lighting the aspect of publicizing the miracle outside as well.
There is another option that is cited which is based on the lighting outside which suggests lighting by an entrance even if the entrance isn’t facing the outside. The reason for this is based on the Sheilot of R Achai Gaon that say that one should be surrounded by mitzvos at all times. This refers to the positioning of the mezuzah which should be on the right while the menorah should be on the left. In addition, the person doing the lighting should be standing in the middle and wearing Tzitzis. What is the better place to light and what is the idea of being surrounded by mitzvos?
Rav Moshe z”l writes that it’s more important to light by the window then to light in a doorway. However, we should have a better understanding as to what is the deeper concept of lighting by the doorway. Furthermore, it actually doesn’t make sense that one should light the menorah on the left since all mitzvos should preferably be performed on the right.
The following idea should shed light on all of the above: The battle of Chanukah was the battle of pure against the impure. Purity is something internal, it’s something that we don’t automatically see but needs to be expressed outwardly. The Jewish people won a victorious battle on Chanukah that was totally internal – the Hellenists against the Chashmonaim. In one way this was a greater battle then the one that took place on Purim as the Mishna Berura explains because our enemies weren’t after our bodies but after our souls.
The Bnai Yissaschar writes that the mitzvah of lighting was brought inside the home to remind us that we must work on the light in our home before we can take that light and use it to inspire and enlighten the rest of the world. According to the navi Yishaya, our mission is to be a light onto the nations but first we need to be sure our own light is shining bright and is emanating from oil that is pure and untainted. Although the Chanukah candles are on the left side of the person entering a home, it is on the right side when exiting. This is to remind us that whenever we walk out of our home on Chanukah we should bring the essence of light with us so we can teach the world what it means to be a real Jew, a real Maccabi, a real Chashmonai.
A meaningful Chanuka to all.
by Rabbi Daniel Coren
