This year, we have two Shabbosim on Chanukah, in a row, both being Shabbos Chanukah.

The Mishna in Bameh Madlikin – discusses what is acceptable for lighting Shabbos Candles. Basically, it tells us that we have to use high quality oils and wick.

In sharp contrast, on Chanukah we can light candles with all the ones that are not permissible for Shabbos candles.

The reason is, we are allowed to read by the light of the Shabbos candles, so there is a danger that we might forget that it’s Shabbos and if the light gets dim, we may unthinkingly adjust it, thereby violating the Shabbos. So our Sages ruled that we only be allowed to use superior oils and wicks because if they burn better, we will not likely adjust them

On Chanukah, we are not allowed to have any benefit from the light of the menorah. So the danger of adjusting the wick or oil on the holiday is slim because we cannot read by the Chanukah light.

The Slonomer Rebbie says that the Shabbos candles and the Chanukah candles are different in that sense, because the Shabbos candles represent frum, orthodox or Chassidic Jews. It’s not easy to observe Shabbos, so not everybody does it. Only select wicks and oils can be used.

Whereas, Chanukah, all you have to do is light a candle or two or eight, so everybody does it, even many non-Jews do so. It’s so easy.

We know that each person is judged at the level he is at. So a non observant person celebrating may not read all the words in the siddur, but at least he shows up, and lights the menorah.

I believe that a person who knows nothing more than that he lights a menorah on Chanukah, can be considered that he is celebrating Chanukah as best he knows how. Hashem smiles on people who don’t know very much about their Jewishness, yet they light a menorah on Chanukah.

So this week, when we have Chanukah bookended by Shabbos Chanukah on each end, let’s encourage everyone to light a menorah. Maybe that is what the sages meant when they said that if everybody celebrates two Shabbossin in a row, Moshiach will come.

Maybe, this Chanukah, that has two Shabbosim in a row, can be the very Shabbosim that Chazal were talking about when they made the promise of Moshiach for the observance of two Shabbosim.

If you knew that your simple act of lighting a candle could bring Moshiach, wouldn’t you light it?

If we can encourage enough people to light candles on both Shabbosim of Chanukah . . .

Who knows what could happen . . .

Can you hear the hoof beats?

Chag Sameach.

Copyhright© 2009, Heshie Klein, MD

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