From a purely halakhic point of view, we generally regard Chanuka and Purim as equal in status. Both festivals are de-rabanan (rabbinically mandated), and the issue of “pirsum ha-nes” (publicizing the miracle) is central to both of them. This trend of thought finds expression in the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah. As opposed to the other festivals, the halakhot of which are all dealt with individually – e.g. Hilkhot Shevitat He-asor (Yom Kippur), Hilkhot Chametz U-matza (Pesach) etc., the Rambam gives a joint heading to the laws of Chanuka and Purim: Hilkhot Megilla VeChanuka. The first two chapters deal with the laws of Purim, and the third and fourth
chapters deal with the laws of Chanuka…
This was originally posted to The Israel Koschitzky Virtual Beit Midrash. To read in its original form, click here.
Daf of the Day
