Countdown to Chanukah 5

“Established for song and expressions of jubilation.” (Maoz Tzur) This is based on the Talmud, Shabbat 21a, which teaches that the Sages established Chanukah as a time of Hallel and Hoda’ah.

The Rambam, Hilchot Chanukah, Chapter 3, writes that the Sages also established Chanukah as a time of Simcha – Happiness.

We have the ‘song and jubilation’ of Maoz Tzur, the ‘Hallel and Hoda’ah’ of the Talmud, and the ‘Simcha’ of the Rambam.

The ‘song’ refers to Hallel, and ‘expressions of jubilation,’ refers to both Hoda’ah and Simcha, as Rashi says (Sanhedrin 79b s.v. “ki tov”) that the destruction of the wicked is cause for Rinah – jubilation, both Hallel for their destruction, and our Simcha with being saved. (Gevurat Yitzchak, Chanukah page 160)

Application:
Remember to include all three; Hallel, Hoda’ah and Simcha, in your Chanukah.