Thursday, December 17, 2009
Chanukah Dvar Torah: Why We Say Hallel Only on Chanukah
This is also from the Book "Eretz Yisrael In The Parashah":
The Talmud (Arachim 10 a-b) discusses the reasons why we recite Hallel on certain holdiays as opposed to others. We say it on Chanukah, of course, because of the miracles that occurred in the days of the Hasmoneans. Why, then, asks the Gemara, do we omit Hallel on Purim? After all, miracles occurred then too. The Talmud offers three reasons. (The following is one reason).
R. Yitzchak says, "[Hallel is ommited on Purim] because we do not sing praise for a miracle that occurred outside the Land." The Gemara goes to explain that the Exodus from Egypt is an exception to this rule because it occurred before te Jews ever entered Eretz Yisroel. After they entered the Land, however, Hallel is no longer said on miracles that take place in Chutz LaAretz.
Why is this so? Why should it make a difference where the miracle occurred? Do we have less of an obligation to thank God for the miracles He performs in Chutz LaAretz? The Maharsha provides a beautiful answer, but first a word of introduction.
Why is Eretz Yisroel so special? Why do you Sages lavish so much praise on the Land and ascribe to it so many unique qualities? Many Rishonim and Acharonim answer this question based on a verse in Devarim: "A Land that the Lord your God seeks out: the eyes of the Lord your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year." That is, Hashem is directly involved in the affairs of Eretz Yisrael. He oversees everything that goes on there and prvoides its inhabitants with an extra measure of Hashgacha Pratis (Divine Providence). In Chutz LaAretz, on the other hand, God appoints angelic ministers to supervise matters and care for the needs of its inhabitants. Therefore, Jews who live in God's special Land are said to dwell in the Palace of the Kind, adn they enjoy a closer relationship with Hashem.
The Maharsha uses this concert to explain the difference between Chankah and Purim. The miracles of Chanukah were a direct result of God-s intervention, because they occured on "His turf," so to say. The miracles of Purim, however, were accomplished through messengers, angelic intermediaries sent by God. And it is fitting to say Hallel only on miracles that God himself performs.
The Minchat Chinuch (Kometz Minchah on Mtizvah 284) gives a different answer. He claims that Jews living in Diaspora are considered indivuals, no matter how great their numbers are. Only the Jewish community in Eretz Yisrael has the full status of Klal Yisrael. We say Hallel on Chanukah on Purim because Hallel is recited only on miracles that occur to Am Yisrael as whole.
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