Rif Shabbat 9b

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9b

{Shabbat 21b continued}

about a half an hour until they reached their houses.

The Sages learnt {in a brayta}:

The precept of Chanukkah [demands] one light for a man and his household.

The better {mehadrin poss. "those who beautify the mitzvah"- see Rashi on the Rif. Rashi on gemara: those who return after the mitzvah. et/achar} [kindle] a light for each member [of the household].

The best of the best: Bet Shammai say: On the first day eight lights are lit and thereafter they are gradually reduced. And Bet Hillel say: On the first day one is lit and thereafter they are progressively increased.

The reason of Bet Shammai is that it shall correspond to the bullocks of the Festival {Succot}. Alternatively is that it shall correspond to the days still to come.

And the reason of Bet Hillel is that it shall correspond to the days that are gone. Alternatively because we promote in [matters of] sanctity but do not reduce.

Rabbar bar bar Channa cited Rabbi Yochanan: There were two elders in Tzidon. One did like the words of Bet Shammai and one did like Bet Hillel. This one gave a reason for his words {that is, actions} - that it shall correspond to the bullocks of the Festival. And this one gave a reason for his words - because we promote in [matters of] sanctity but do not reduce.

(A shopkeeper who placed a Chanukka lamp outside, and someone else is damaged by it, he is exempt from having to pay, for it is a lamp of a mitzvah, and this that he placed it outside, it is because it is a mitzvah to publicize the miracle.)

The Sages learnt {in a brayta}: The lamp for Chanukka: the mitzvah is to place it by the entrance to his house outside; and if one dwells in an upper chamber, he places it at the window nearest the street; and in times of danger it is sufficient to place it on the table.

Rava said: and he needs another lamp to be used for its light, yet if there is a blazing fire it is unnecessary. But if he is an important person, even if there is a blazing fire another lamp is required.

What is [the reason of] Chanukkah, concerning which our Sages learnt {in a brayta - a citatation from megillat taanit}: On the twenty-fifth of Kislev [commence] the days of Chanukkah, which are eight on which a lamentation for the dead and fasting are forbidden?
For when the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all the oils therein, and when the Hasmonean dynasty prevailed against and defeated them, they made search and found only one cruse of oil which lay with the seal of the High Priest, but which contained sufficient for one day's lighting only; yet a miracle was wrought therein and they lit [the lamp] therewith for eight days. The following year these [days] were appointed a Festival with [the recital of] Hallel and thanksgiving.

And therefore we bless on the miracle every single day of the 8 days of Chanukka, since every day the miracle was renewed with that flask of oil.

{Shabbat 22a}
Rav Kahana said: Rabbi Natan bar Manyumi darshened in the name of Rav Nachman {we have R Tanchum}: If a Chanukkah lamp is placed above twenty cubits [from the ground] it is unfit, like sukkah and a cross-beam over [the entrance of] an alley.

Rava {our girsa: Rabba} said: The Chanukka lamp, the mitzvah is to place it in the handsbreadth nearest the door.

Where should he place it?
Rav Acha the son of Rava said: On the right side.
Rav Yirmiyah of Difti said: On the left side.

And the halacha is: on the left hand side, such that the mezuza is on the right and the Chanukka lamp is on the left.

(And when he wishes to light the Chanukka lamp and the Shabbat lamp, he should first light that of Chanukka and return to {and light} that of Shabbat, for if he lights that of Shabbat first, it will become prohibited for him to light that of Chanukka, for he would have accepted Shabbat upon himself.)

Rav Yehuda {our gemara: Rav Assi} cited Rav: It is forbidden to count money opposite the Chanukka lamp.
Abaye said: In all matters the Master [Rabbah] acted in accordance with Rab, except in these three, where he did as Shmuel, [viz.,] one may light from lamp to lamp; one can detach [the fringes] from one garment for [insertion in] another; and the halachah is as Rabbi Shimon in respect to dragging.
For it was learnt {in a brayta}: Rabbi Shimon said: One may drag a bed, seat, or bench, provided that he does not intend to make a rut.

{Shabbat 22b}
Rava said: If he was holding the Chanukka lamp and standing in place {while holding it}, he has accomplished nothing.
What is the reason?
For the one who sees him will say that he is holding it for his own purposes.

And Rava said: If he lit it within and then brought it outside, he did not accomplish anything.