OHR SOMAYACH'S ASK THE RABBI 
Issue #258, December 11, 1999 
Parshat Miketz
=====================================
In this issue:
BRANCHES OF LIGHT         
SHADES OF LIGHT            
A STITCH IN TIME          
OLD MENORAHS NEVER DIE 
PUBLIC DOMAIN
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BRANCHES OF LIGHT

Paul Schreiber from N. Miami, FL <nalafunding@hotmail.com> 
wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

I own a seven-branched menorah for decorative purposes.  A 
friend recently told me that this menorah should never be lit.  Is 
this true and if so, why?

Dear Paul Schreiber,

	The Torah commands that in the Holy Temple in 
Jerusalem there should be a seven-branched menorah, and that 
making such a menorah for private use is prohibited.  Having six 
or eight branches is fine, so bring your menorah to a silversmith 
and add a branch, or take one off!

Sources:

*	Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah 141:8
*	Numbers 8

************

SHADES OF LIGHT

Shelby from Atlanta, GA <shetlandsheepdog@yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

Hi!  My close college friend is Jewish and resides in Montgomery, 
Alabama.  She asked me to investigate if there is a particular 
tradition behind the colors of Chanukah candles sold in the retail 
stores.  Or is it important that the candles be a certain color?  I 
look forward to your reply.

Dear Shelby,

	There's no tradition regarding the color of the candles; so 
any color is okay, even plaid!  Actually, it is preferable to use olive 
oil lamps, to commemorate the miracle of the oil.

	Please note that the small colored Chanukah candles 
aren't long enough to use on Friday, because the candles must be 
lit before sunset and must remain alight for a half hour after dark.  
This year, this applies both to the first day and the last day of 
Chanukah.

************

A STITCH IN TIME

Skip <Druss2889@aol.com> wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

I am doing a cross-stitch picture for a resident at a nursing home 
for Hanukkah and am curious as to what this means:  "Nes Gadol 
Hayah Sham."  Thank you.

Dear Skip,

	It means "A great miracle happened there," referring to 
the miracle of the oil and the Jewish defeat of the ancient Greeks.  
Good luck with your picture. You are doing a wonderful mitzvah, 
a good deed of loving-kindness.

************

OLD MENORAHS NEVER DIE

Arthur P. Katz from New Jersey <Apkat@Juno.com> wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

How do you properly dispose of a menorah you no longer 
want/need?  (I bought a nicer one.)

Dear Arthur P. Katz,

	Though an item not used directly for a mitzvah (such as a 
talit, without the tzitzit), may be discarded, it just should not be 
treated with disrespect.  Why not give the Menorah to someone 
poor, who cannot afford one, or to a child?

Source:

*	Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 21:2

=====================================

The Public Domain
Comments, quibbles, and reactions 
concerning previous "Ask-the-Rabbi" features

Re:  Jericho Yiddle Riddle 
(http://www.ohrnet.org/ask/ask257#YR):

	In answer to a recent Yiddle Riddle, you wrote that 
Joshua's troops encircled the city of Jericho 13 times.  True, they 
marched around the city once a day for six days, and on the 
seventh day they marched around seven times.  However, on the 
seventh day they encircled the city only once.  To encircle means 
to encompass, envelope, enclose, etc.  I surmised that the number 
of Israelites was sufficient to encompass the entirety of the city 
walls; thus, they had already encircled it the moment they 
got into formation to march.

                                                           Stan <altermar@dataex.com>


Re: ChoppedLiver? 
(http://www.ohrnet.org/judaism/cartoons/cartoon.htm):

	Congratulation on Ohr Somayach's  ChoppedLiver? 
educational cartoons that you post on your Web Site.  They are 
really great!  I would like to publish them on our shul's billboard.

                                                                       Daniel Cohn, Uruguay 


Re: Art for Art's Sake 
(http://www.ohrnet.org/seasons/5760/kislev.htm):

	I would like to ask for your permission to translate your 
beautiful Ohrnet article Art For Art's Sake (Kislev 5760) into 
Spanish, to be included in a newsletter for the members of our 
community, Sucath David, here in Buenos Aires.  I don't know 
much about the Greeks and their art, but I frankly think this article 
is a piece of Jewish art which really deserves to be shown.  Thank 
you, Ohr Somayach, for your great publications and the deep 
insights and teachings conveyed in them.  

	I wish you all the best, with Torah blessings!

                                          Malka Armoza <shseider@criba.edu.ar>


Re: Triple Header 
(http://www.ohrnet.org/qa/5760/bereishi/vayishla.htm#APQ):

	In a recent Parsha quiz, you asked:  "Who was born along 
with Binyamin?" and answered "His two twin sisters."  With all 
due respect to the you, the two sisters born with Binyamin were 
not twins.  Why not?  Because they were part of a set of triplets!

                          David Grossman <davidg@mofet.macam98.ac.il>

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