“Hadlaka Oseh Mitzvah” – “Lighting makes the Mitzvah” – The Rema in Shulchan Aruch – Orach Chaim 671:6
“Hadlaka Oseh Mitzvah” – “Lighting makes the Mitzvah” therefore if the candle went out before the requisite time had passed (one half hour) we are not responsible to rekindle it. – The Bais Yosef in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 673:2
The Shulchan Oruch is speaking here about a situation where one lit the Menorah in a place that was too high up to have fulfilled the Mitzvah but then he lowered it after it was lit. The Rema comments that placing an already lit Menorah into a zone where it is now appropriate to light is not the fulfillment of the Mitzvah because “Hadlaka Oseh Mitzvah” – “Lighting makes the Mitzvah”. That is the context of that phrase!
We also learn in Hallachah that if a candle failed to burn the requisite amount of time, about a half hour, then we have still fulfilled our duty and we are not required to rekindle the light because “Hadlaka Oseh Mitzvah” – “Lighting makes the Mitzvah”.
We learn our Hashkafa from the Hallacha and not the other way around. Our philosophical outlook on life does not shape the Hallacha but rather our worldview is shaped by the Hallacha. There are many implications in life that can be gleaned from this principle “Hadlaka Oseh Mitzvah” – “Lighting makes the Mitzvah”.
When educating children and students, we cannot micromanage results. We can only honor the process. We might do the best we can to impart knowledge, to inspire, and model the messages we are hoping to impart, but then hope for the best. Why? Because we are dealing with free willed beings and therefore “Hadlaka Oseh Mitzvah” – “Lighting makes the Mitzvah”.
That’s how it goes in the universe of education. Chanukah is an expression of -Chinuch-education. So far, that is all in reference to educating others. Yet, there is an entirely other expansive realm where we have much more “control”.
Somebody once came to a great Rabbi and boasted with extra pride, “Rabbi, I finished the entire Talmud!” The Rabbi, sensing his haughty attitude, answered him sharply, “And what did the Talmud teach you?!” After Chanukah is concluded a burning question remains. We might wonder,” what have the candles ignited in us?!” What remains, that’s Chanukah!
The Ramchal writes about and presents in the Mesilas Yesharim a powerful and effective psychological tool. “Tenuas HaChitzonius Meorerus es ha Penimius” – “The outer actions awaken the internality.”. The Sefer HaChinuch often states the same notion as a reason or a benefit of a given Mitzvah in other words, “HaAdam Nifal Achar Peulosav” – “A Person is affected by what he does”. One psychologist pithily and similarly noted, “It is easier to act yourself into a better way of feeling than to feel your way into a better way of acting.” By doing we are becoming.
Shlomo HaMelech, the wisest of all men writes in Mishlei, “Ner Elochim Nishmas Adam” – “The Candle of HASHEM is the Neshama of Man”. He also says, Ki Ner Mitzvah V’Torah Ohr” – “A Mitzvah is a Candle and Torah is Light”. – “Lighting makes the Mitzvah”. Here we can plug in and apply “Hadlaka Oseh Mitzvah” – “Lighting makes the Mitzvah”. The lighting of the Chanukah lights, night after night for eight straight days is meant to not only light the external candles that we meet at the window of our homes and send a faint light into the street and the world immediately beyond.
No! They are meant to ignite an ever growing and continuous flame of inspiration within our souls. We are lighting our hearts and becoming thirsty searchers and hungry seekers of the light of HASHEM which is embedded in every detail of creation.
We start with one candle but when we reach eight then – that is forever. Chanukah never ends! It only begins! “Hadlaka Oseh Mitzvah” – “Lighting makes the Mitzvah”. We are lighting ourselves. This is the just the beginning!