Chanukah – Character and Tefillos

Character of the day

1. Eulogies and fasts: On Chanukah it is prohibited to eulogise (except for a Chacham, in front of him ) or fast, even on a yahrzeit for one’s parents or on the day of one’s marriage, as these are days of simcha commemorating the Jews winning the battle against the Greeks and the miracle of the oil that burnt for 8 days (SA 670:1,3 MB1, SH 6).
2. Mourning: The regular laws of mourning remain in force for those in aveilus (MB 670:12)
3. Work: It is permitted to work on Chanukah – there is no prohibition to do melacha.
   1. The minhag is for women not to do work for 30 minutes whilst the chanukah candles are alight, as a reminder that is it prohibited to benefit from the candles. This practice is specific to women as the miracle came through their hands (per the story of Yehudis below) (SA 670:1, MB3, 4)
4. Festive meals: According to the Shulchan Aruch, there is no mitzva to have festive meals on Chanuka as the decrees against Jews at that time were spiritual in nature not physical (unlike by Purim) so we focus on giving praise and thanks to Hashem.
   1. The Rema quotes opinions, which are accepted in Ashkenazic practice, that there is somewhat of a mitzva to have festive meals, due to the reinauguration of the Beis Hamikdash that took place in this period after it was recaptured from the Greeks. Furthermore, this is the time period when the Mishkan was completed in the Midbar, though it wasn’t inaugurated until Nissan.
   1. The practice is to sing and give praise to Hashem at these meals which ensures these meals are considered a mitzvah  (SA 670:2, MB7,9). However, they should not come at the expense of one’s regular Torah learning schedule or be the cause for frivolous behaviour (Shone Halachos 670:3).
5. Cheese: Some say one should eat cheese on Chanukah, to mark the cheese that Yehudis, the daughter of Yochanan Kohen Gadol, fed an enemy general before killing him, causing the enemy to flee. (SA 670:2, MB10)

Changes and Additions to Davening

1. On Chanuka, we add in the paragraph ‘Al Hanissim… Bimei Matisyahu…’ in bentching in the Bracha of Nodeh Lecha and in the Amidah in the bracha of Modim, including in Mussaf of Shabbos and Rosh Chodesh. It is placed within these brachos as they are focused on ‘hoda’ah’, giving thanks to Hashem which is the primary reason for us marking Chanukah. Al Hanissim is not mentioned in the bracha of Al Hamichya (Pri Megadim referenced to by the Mishna Berura explains that this is due to the fact that there is no section of ‘Hoda’ah’ in Al Hamichya).
   1. Mishna Berura says one should say ‘VE-al Hanissim’ rather than just ‘Al Hanissim’ (SA 682:1, 2 MB1, 2)
2. If one forgets to say Al Hanissim and has completed the bracha, one need not go back to say it, whether it is in the Amidah or bentching, whether on a weekday or Shabbos. However, if one hasn’t said ‘Hashem’ at the conclusion of the bracha, even if one has already said ‘Baruch Atah’, one may go back and say Al Hanissim. (SA 682:1)
3. The Rema brings the practice that if one did not say Al Hanissim at the correct point in bentching, during the section of Harachamans, one can say the Harachaman (as printed in the siddur) ‘הרחמן הוא יעשה לנו נסים ונפלאות כשם שעשית לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה,’ followed by ‘Bimei Matisyahu etc’. On Rosh Chodesh, this should be said after the Harachaman for Rosh Chodesh (and similarly on Shabbos it should be done after the Harachaman for Shabbos). Mishna Berura adds that if one forgot to say Al Hanissim in the Amidah, one should also say this Harachaman followed by Bimei Matisyahu before the final ‘Yihyu Leratzon imrei fi’ at the end of Elokai Netzor. (SA 682:1, MB4, 5)
4. One says full Hallel each day of Chanukah, to mark the extension of the miracle that took place each day.
   1. However, an Avel (one who is in the month or year of mourning for close relatives) doesn’t say Hallel and hence Mishna Berura says he should not lead the tefilla for Shacharis, though he may for Mincha and Maariv.
   1. Hallel is also not said in a house of mourning (during the Shiva week) but those davening there who are not aveilim should say Hallel once they return home. (SA 683, MB1, MB 131:20, 671:44).
5. We also omit the following sections from davening on Chanukah:
   1. Tachanun, including at Mincha on Erev Chanuka
   1. Tzidkasecha Tzedek etc (at Shabbos Mincha)
   1. Lamenatzeach (after Ashrei, before Uva Letzion)
   1. Kel Erech Apayim (before taking out the sefer Torah)
   1. The Yehi Ratzons after leining (SA 683, MB 1)