D.A.F.'s Moadim section

1) אשקר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו -

How can we say "and He commanded us" about a Mitzvah instituted by the Sages? The Gemara (Shabbos 23a) derives this from "Lo Sasur - do not deviate from all that they tell you" (Devarim 17:11); yet why does the Gemara choose to tell us this here, in the context of Chanukah, more so than any other Rabbinic obligation?

1. Lecture for Chanukah 5767 from 15:55 til 21:05, by Rabbi Yehoshua Hartman

2) להדליק -

Does the wording of the Berachah take sides in the Gemara's discussion (Shabbos 22b) as to whether Hadlakah (lighting), or Hanachah (setting down the lamps in place), accomplishes the Mitzvah?

1. Discussion for Shabbos 22:4, #3 til 5

3) שעשה נסים לאבותינו -

What is the rationale for reciting the Berachah of "she'Asah Nisim" each night, whereas "She'hecheyanu" is recited only on the first night?

1. Discussion for Shabbos 23:1

4) Recitation -

Why do we recite "Ha'Neiros Halalu"? At what point is it recited?

1. Marei Mekomos for Members' lecture on Chanukah 5777 section 4

5) על ידי כהניך הקדושים -

Why is it significant that the Chanukah miracle came about through Kohanim; what does a Kohen represent?

1. Lecture for Chanukah 5767 from 27:15 til 34:50, by Rabbi Yehoshua Hartman

6) ואין לנו רשות להשתמש בהם -

What are two reasons that it would be forbidden to use the light of Ner Chanukah?

1. Yosef Da'as to Shabbos 21:p3, ד"ה ואסור

7) To examine coins -

Rav Asi states (Shabbos 22a) that it is forbidden to examine coins by the light of the Chanukah candles. But the Gemara (ibid. 21a-b) already cited a dispute whether or not it is permitted to derive benefit from the light of the Chanukah candles. Why single out the counting of money as being forbidden?

1. Insights to Shabbos 22:1

2. Yosef Da'as to Shabbos 22:p1, ד"ה אמר רב יהודה

3. Agadah Elucidations for Shabbos 22:1:c

8) For a Mitzvah -

May one use Ner Chanukah for a sanctified purpose, e.g. to learn Torah?

1. Agadah Elucidations for Shabbos 22:1:d

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל חֲנֻכָּה.	Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה.	Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, Who performed miracles for our forefathers, in those days, at this time.
בלילה הראשון מוסיפים:	On the first night, add:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָינוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.	Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life and sustenance and permitted us to reach this season.
הַנֵּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ אָנוּ מַדְלִיקִין עַל הַנִּסִּים וְעַל הַנִּפְלָאוֹת וְעַל הַתְּשׁוּעוֹת וְעַל הַמִּלְחָמוֹת שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ (בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה) עַל יְדֵי כֹּהֲנֶיךָ הַקְּדוֹשִׁים וְכָל שְׁמוֹנַת יְמֵי חֲנוּכָּה הַנֵּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ קוֹדֶשׁ הֵן וְאֵין לָנוּ רְשׁוּת לְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בָּהֶן אֶלָּא לִרְאוֹתָן בִּלְבָד כְּדֵי לְהוֹדוֹת וּלְהַלֵּל לְשִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל עַל נִסֶּיךָ וְעַל נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ וְעַל יְשׁוּעָתֶךָ.	These lights that we are kindling, are for the miracles, the wonders, the salvations and the battles, that You performed for our forefathers (in those days, at this time), through the hands of Your holy Kohanim. And all eight days of Chanukah, these lights are sanctified, and we have no permission to make use of them - but only to see them, in order to thank and praise Your great Name, for Your miracles, Your wonders and Your salvation.

1ST BERACHAH

2ND BERACHAH

"HA'NEIROS HALALU"

PERSONAL USE OF THE LIGHT