In their explanation as to how one should properly kindle our Chanuka candles, the Sages of the Talmud included the following detail as to where we should position our Chanukiot.
“Tanu rabbanan: ner chanuka mitzva lehanicha al petach beito mebechutz. Im haya dar b’aliya, manicha bechalon hasmucha lirishut harabbim...”
“Our Rabbis taught. It is part and parcel of the mitzva to kindle Chanuka candles, to place them at the outermost doorway of one’s home. If one lives in a higher dwelling, one should place it in the window which is closest to (and thus most visible from) the public domain...”
Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, pre-eminent 11th century commentator of the Bible and Talmud, in three simple words, clarifies this statement, indicating the purpose of placing the candles in the most publicly visible vantage point is “mishum pirsumei nisa”- In order to publicize the miracle.
Of course, our first inclination is to interpret the words of Rashi to infer that we are obliged to publicize the miracle of Chanuka; most specifically that the candles we place in our doorways are to recall the miracle of that small jar of oil kindled by the Chashmonaim as they restored the Temple’s sanctity. Others suggest that the more significant miracle which we must publicize, which must become known to the world, is the miraculous story of the victory in combat -as a small band of religious leaders overcomes the mighty Greek Empire! Indeed both of these pieces are representative of the miraculous nature of the events which led to Chanuka being established as an annual commemoration.
It’s important to note that each night as we light our chanukiot, there are two blessings which we recite. The first- “lehadlik ner shel chanuka- to kindle the candles of Chanuka” and the second, “sheAsa nisim laAvotainu, bayamim haheim, bazman hazeh-who made miracles occur for our ancestors in their days, at this time...”
Rabbi Shlomo Aviner (Sefer Tal Chermon al Hamoadim) points out, that perhaps the second blessing is teaching us a very profound lesson about the nature of miracles, and inherent in that lesson, Rav Aviner suggests, is the essential reason for placing our Chanukiot so that our candles will be seen, in essence clarifying the concept of pirsumei nisa (publicizing the miracle) as introduced by Rashi.
Rav Aviner teaches that the very definition of a nes (miracle) is any event which transpires which seems to defy the natural turn of events. Of course there are phenomena which seem to contradict all the laws of science, and then there are more subtle, less revealed events, which may not be quite as spectacular, but are miraculous nonetheless. Rav Aviner explains that every human being has within them a spark of the Divine, and therefore has the innate ability to change and transform themselves, and to contribute to the transformation and betterment of others! In essence, each individual has the potential to bring the miraculous into the world!
The blessing of “SheAsa Nisim LaAvoteinu, baymim haheim, bazman hazeh,” is of course a reflection of the many miracles throughout our history, most specifically the miracles of that tiny jar of oil, and that tiny band of religious leaders transforming themselves into a successful military force capable of defeating one of the world’s first super powers- bayamim haheim- in their days. But more than that, the blessing reminds us that each of us has the ability for growth, to affect change, to transform and contribute to the betterment of others- bazman hazeh- at this time, at this very moment!!
So pirsumei nisa- publicizing the miracles through placing our Chanukiot in our doorways or window sills, is meant to remind ourselves, and to remind the world that miracles can and do occur, and that each of us in our own unique way has the capacity to experience and facilitate miraculous transformational events- to be Hashem’s emissary to share and publicize the light of transformation, harmony and growth with the entire world....
Chanuka Sameach.....Rabbi Sam Shor