[Avodah] Tichleh Regel Min Hashuk

[Akiva Miller via Avodah]

The main factor in establishing the time to light Ner Chanuka is NOT
calendar-based. That is, unlike all other special days, we don't care so
much about when the calendar flips from one day to the next. Rather, the
critical factor is when the marketplace empties out.

Sure, there are many associated questions, like how long the lights should
be lit, or what if one misses the proper zman, or when this emptying of the
marketplace actually occurs. But the starting point for all of this is
Tichleh Regel Min Hashuk.

It seems to me that this criterion applies to all eight nights, without
exception. In other words, it applies even on Shabbos.

That seems odd to me. Is there any shita anywhere who uses a different zman
on Friday night? Please note that I am NOT referring to the practical
problem of lighting the neros when Shabbos has already started. I am
referring to the time that the neros ought to be burning.

Why do we care about what time people come home from the market on Friday
night? People DON'T come home from the market on Friday night; they come
home from the market on Friday *afternoon*.

Unless, of course, the people we're talking about aren't Jewish. Over the
years, I've heard some suggest that the main target audience for this
pirsumei nisa is the non-Jews (especially among those who light outside).
This would seems to support that view.

Akiva Miller
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