A Hint from the Torah: Where to Place the Hanukkiah

A Hint from the Torah: Where to Place the Hanukkiah

“And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed...”. (Bereshit 41:1) Since the portion of Mikketz always falls during Hanukkah, Chazal determined that the Torah text must contain a hint to this holiday. The Sages say that this hint is concealed in the word שנתים “shnatayim” (two years). The initial letters of each word in this phrase are: “shin” - smol, “nun” - ner, “tav” - tadlik, “yud” yamin, “mem” - mezuzah” - (light the candle on the left, and the mezuzah is on the right) - form the word “shnatayim” (two years). This is a hint not only to Hanukkah, but also to where the Hanukkiah should be placed. It means the following: dark places, also called the “left side”, should be illuminated with spiritual light. Then the Almighty will protect us and “stand at our right”, just as the mezuzah is placed on the right side of the entrance to a home—always guarding us. (from the book “Ahavat Chaim” on Mikketz)