DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 1.2 MB)
Hanukah: The Halachot of "Al Hanisim" 2

If one forgot to inset "Al Hanisim" in the Amidah, he does not have to repeat the Amidah. However, if he remembers before the completion of the Amidah, he should insert it after "Yeh'Yu L'Rason," before "Oseh Shalom." This applies even if he remembered after saying "Baruch Atah Hashem," before concluding "Ha'tov Shimcha." He should not quickly conclude "Lamdeni Hukeha," but should finish the Beracha and insert "Al Hanisim" before Oseh Shalom.

There is a disagreement as to how to formulate the "Al Hanisim" at that point. Everyone agrees that if he forgot "Al Hanisim" in the Birkat Hamazon, he does not repeat Birkat Hamazon and should insert it as a "HaRahaman" prayer in the "HaRahaman section, as brought by the Rema in Siman 682. The Mishna Berura there teaches that the same is true in the Amidah-it should be inserted in the form of a supplication. However, the Ben Ish Hai in Hilchot Purim rules that it should be recited in its original form-"Al Hanisim…"

If one began a meal at the end of the last day of Hanukah and concluded it after nightfall, according to Maran, he should say "Al Hanisim." It is no different than Birkat Hamazon on Mosa'eh Shabbat, Mosa'eh Yom Tob or Mosa'eh Rosh Hodesh, in which the Birkat Hamazon is defined by the beginning of the meal. Although the Ben Ish Hai understood that this is not the case on Hanukah and Purim, The Minhag of Yerushalayim, Hacham Atiya, Hacham Ovadia and Hacham Bension all agree that one should say "Al Hanisim" after nightfall, preferably if he ate a Kezayit before sunset.

In Birkat Hamazon, the word "Migdol" supplants "Magdil" on a day on which there is Musaf. Although Hanukah and Purim do not have Musaf, the Ben Ish Hai rules that on Purim "Migdol" is said, because there is a special "He'arah" (spiritual illumination) on that day. Nevertheless, that would only apply to Purim, whereas on Hanukah the "He'arah" is only during the candle lighting, and therefore "Magdil" is said.

The full Hallel is recited all eight days. The Pele Yoes and others emphasize that since the Hallel was one of the primary institutions of Hanukah it should be recited slowly with melody and intent. Even on Pesah, the full Hallel is not recited all eight days. This indicates the magnitude of the Misva of Hallel on Hanukah. The Rambam indicates that women are not obligated to say the Hallel, and although they can recite it, they may not say a Beracha.

SUMMARY
If one remembered to say "Al Hanisim" after the proper place: In Birkat Hamazon, he should insert it as a "HaRahaman" in the "HaRahaman" section, and in the Amidah, he should insert it before "Oseh Shalom" in its original form.

If one started a meal at the end of Hanukah, he should recite "Al Hanisim," in the Birkat Hamazon, even if he concluded after nightfall.

In Birkat Hamazon, "Magdil" is said, not "Migdol."

Women who chose to say Hallel do not recite the Beracha.


 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Using an Outdoor Sink on Shabbat
Adjusting a Highchair, Assembling a Playpen, and Extending a Table on Shabbat
The Reward for Observing and Enjoying Shabbat; Spending Money for the Honor of Shabbat
One Who Speaks Before Drinking From the Kiddush Wine
May One Allow a Non-Jewish Contractor to Build on Shabbat?
Allowing Construction on Shabbat by Non-Jews in Cases of a Jewish-Owned Condominium and a Synagogue
Allowing a Doorman to Open an Electric Door When One Enters a Building on Shabbat
Housekeepers on Shabbat: Allowing Her to Leave With Her Suitcase, to Clear the Table After Se'uda Shelishit, and to Wring Water Out of a Mop
Boat Travel on Shabbat
Are Sunglasses Permitted On Shabbat, and Are Color Changing Sunglasses Prohibited From The Law of Sovea
Wearing or Winding a Wristwatch on Shabbat
May a Woman Eat or Drink on Shabbat Morning Before Hearing or Reciting Kiddush?
Crushing Ice on Shabbat; Walking on Ice or Snow on Shabbat
Defining the Term “Karmelit” With Regard to the Laws of Shabbat
Is it Permissible to Move Candlesticks on Shabbat After the Candles Have Burned Out?
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found