Why do we say a complete Hallel on each day of Succot?

Hi,

"The reason why we complete [the entire] Hallel all eight days of Chanukah and nine days of Succot [outside Israel; in Israel it is eight days], and on Pesach  we only complete it on the first two days, and we don't complete it on Rosh Chodesh, is because:

"Each of the eight days of Chanukah has something new – an additional light. The eight [biblical] days of Succot each have different korbanot… And therefore we complete Hallel on those days. Each of the days of Chanukah and Succot is like its own holiday, distinct in its lights and korbanot respectively.

"But on the seven [biblical] days of Pesach and on Rosh Chodesh, there is no distinction between korbanot. All of them are identical. Therefore, we don't complete Hallel; we only complete it on the first two days [of Pesach]."

(Avudraham, Laws of Chanukah)

חג סוכות שמח,

Mordechai

Prepare before you pray

Hi,

"One must arrange his prayer for special occasions, such as musaf for Rosh Chodesh and prayers of holidays, and then stand and pray, so that he will not stumble."

(Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Prayer 4:19)

Good chodesh!
Mordechai

Shabbat vs. Rosh Chodesh

Hi,

This is a paraphrase of an idea:

Shabbat follows the six days of work, and a person's path during the six days of work is what merits the light of the sanctity of Shabbat. As the gemara says, one who works on erev Shabbat will have food to eat on Shabbat.

Rosh Chodesh, on the other hand, is at the start of the month. We have not yet performed deeds to merit the illumination of Rosh Chodesh, but this day, which comes after the moon has been reduced, hints to a person to recognize that he lacks light, and if he does not work and accept responsibility for the future, he will come in darkness and go in darkness and gain nothing for his struggle.

(The Sochachover, Shem m'Shemuel Reeh 5677, pg. 105)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Working on Chanukah

Hi,

"The sages taught: One who labors on Friday, the eve of Yom Tov, Saturday night, the night after Yom Tov, Chanukah, Purim or Rosh Chodesh, or any time when there is some element of sin - which includes public fasts - will never see a sign of blessing from it."

(R' Yehudah haChasid, Sefer Chasidim 121)

Note that R' Yehudah haChasid is adding to the classic list of Pesachim 50b here; the original talmudic list included nothing other than the Shabbat and Yom Tov-related occasions. Of course, there are other sources related to working on the additional days, and those were the basis for R' Yehudah haChasid's statement.

Chag sameach and chodesh tov,
Mordechai