[Avodah] priorities in halacha

[Rich, Joel]

Q: Is it an obligation to have a silver chanukiyah?
A: The basic mitzvah is that any material is suitable for a chanukiyah,
but like all mitzvot, one can embellish the mitzvah (hiddur mitzvah).
Therefore, a silver chanukiyah is proper. But the Pele Yoetz writes that
even better than what is "proper" is what is "preferable": such as
giving the extra money to the poor.>>

Why not say this about every "zeh keli veanvehu". Instead of buying a
more mehudaer etrog give money to tzedaka and similarly for all sorts of
other mitzvot

--
Eli Turkel
_______________________________________________

I think the answer is that it is a shikul hadaat which will depend on
the time and place. In addition, imho it's hard to place a chanukiyah in
the same category of hiddur with etrog (or mehadrin min hamehadrin)
where the hiddur is in the cheftza shel mitzva .  I have many times have
you seen a silver etrog box holding a benoni etrog and wondered about
adult ed concerning where true hiddur lies.
KT
Joel Rich
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