Chanukah as a biblical holiday

Hi,

"Establishing a festival on a day when a miracle occurs is a biblical mitzvah. If this is warranted for a transition from slavery to freedom, it is certainly required for transition from death to life!

"Therefore, in my humble opinion, Purim and Chanukah are biblical. However, the details of what to do - sending portions of food, or lighting flames, or creating some other memorial - is rabbinic."

(Responsa of Chatam Sofer 233)

חג אורים שמח,
Mordechai

Chanukah's Durability

Hi,

Preface: Chanukah’s observance was recorded in Megilat Taanit, an ancient text which listed days when one may not fast or mourn.

"Rav and R’ Chanina said: Megilat Taanit is now void…

"Rav Kahana challenged: We learned, “Once they decreed a fast on Chanukah in Lod, and Rabbi Eliezer bathed and Rabbi Yehoshua took a haircut, and they told the community, ‘Now, fast to atone for your fasting!’”

“Rav Yosef said: Chanukah is different, for its observance is a mitzvah.

“Abbaye asked: Let it be void, and let its mitzvah be void!

“Rather, Rav Yosef said: Chanukah is different , for it publicizes a miracle.”

(Talmud, Rosh haShanah 18b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai