Posted on 12/07/2004 9:10:56 AM PST by yonif
Sorry. Sorry. Accidentally "channeled" Cynthia McKinney, just for a moment, there. Perfectly all right now. Nothing to see here. Carry on, then. :)
Jewish men light Chanukiot as well. Men also light Shabbat candles if they are single.
Well, since the President is married, maybe the First Lady should light it.
YANIS KANIDIS
FABRIZIO QUATTROCHI The heroes who fell in the War on Terror. Their heroism will not be forgotten!
Shabbat candles and a Chanukiot are two different things. Whenever Chabad puts up their public Chanukiah, the rebbe usually lights it. There is no commandment for who should light it.
:Is a woman obligated to light the Menorah?
There is no distinction between men and women with regards to the obligation to light the menorah.
Although women are normally exempt from all mitzvos which have to be fulfilled at a particular time (see Which Mitzvot are women obligated to fulfill?), there are exceptions to this rule - and Chanukah is one of these exceptions.
The Talmud (Tractate Shabbat 23a) explains that a pivotal part of the Maccabi victory was a result of the bravery of a young woman, and therefore women share equal credit in the Chanukah miracle.
Now, although women are obligated to light the menorah, the common custom is that the man of the house lights the menorah, having in mind that the women of the house should be included in this mitzvah. (This is similar to Shabbat candles, which are lit by the women who have the men in mind). But if a woman is alone at home she is certainly obligated to light the menorah herself.
Sources: Talmud, and Rashi's commentary, Shabbat 23a; Code of Jewish Law, Orach Chaim, 675:3
Probaly here complaints from the Paleos too..
LOL!!
That gives me an idea. How about a virtual "FreeRepublic" Menorah?
Not Menorah.
It's a Holiday Candle Stand.
I have a gigantic one in my yard made with Tiki torches. Come the last night, the neighbors get a little worried about me torching the whole neighborhood with it.
Sweet. I would do something like that but my ultra-lib Jewish neighbor would probably come unglued. The extent of her religious practice is that she won't allow her husband to eat pork in the house. She thinks we should all eschew decorations because "someone might be offended".
But they have safe lights though. I have torches with huge flames! Bwahahaahahahhahahahaha!
< /pyro mode>
I would be afraid people would conclude it was the Jewish equivalent of burning a cross in someone's yard. :)
It does sound awfully festive. Hmmmm....latkes.
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