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Posted December 6, 2007, by Rabbi Judy Abrams. Please refer to Maqom's home page for information about previous passages.

BH

ADD AN EXTRA BLESSING TO YOUR HANNUKKAH
© Judith Z. Abrams, 2007

At this point in the holiday, you should be familiar with the two blessings we say over the Hannukkah lights.

1. who commanded us to light the Hannukkah lights.
2. who did wonders for our ancestors at this time of year at that time.

But did you know that you can say the second blessing every time you see the Hannukkah lights?

One who sees the light of Hannukkah must say a blessing [blessing #2]. (B.Shabbat 23a)

And another fun fact for Hannukkah:

Women are obligated to do this time-bound positive mitzvah. So much so, that Rabbi Zera, when he was on the road, relied on his wife lighting the Hannukkah light for him so he didn¹t have to do it himself (also B. Shabbat 23a).

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think saying the blessing upon seeing the lights fell by the wayside? Will you add this to your celebration of Hannukkah? Let me know how it goes.
        
2. What do you think of women being bound to do this mitzvah? Does it undermine the whole "women don't do time-bound, positive mitsvot" idea? Can you think of other examples?

Happy Hannukkah!