Can We Pray For Miracles on Chanukah?
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman
The Gemorah in Brachos 60a seems to imply that one may not pray for a miracle. One reason given is that doing so causes one’s merits to be lessened. The Maharal in Chiddushei Agados (Shabbos 32a) explains that since the reward for Mitzvos is above and beyond – when one prays for a Nais that is above and beyond – he loses some of that merit.
Rav Ephraim Zalman Shor (1550 –1633) author of the highly revered Tvu’os Shor [in his commentary on Meseches Shabbos 21b] employs this Gemorah in a question that he asks on the ruling in Shulchan Aruch OC Siman 188 (citing the Kol Bo): One who forgot to say Al HaNissim in Bentching says Harachaman hu yaaseh lanu nissim v’niflaos bayamim hahaim bazman hazeh – May the Merciful One make miracles and wonders for us in this time as He did in those times. The Tvu’os Shor answers that there may be a difference between an individual asking for a miracle and the tzibbur – the public requesting a miracle. Employing the term “May He make for us” is a public prayer. A second answer he gives is that it may be permitted to do so when the miracle is hidden and not a public one. Rav Yaakov Meshulem Orenstein (1770?-1839), the Rov of L’vov and the author of the Yeshuos Yaakov answers differently that to Daven for an open miracle in a manner that the Name of the Holy One be spread – there is no reduction of merit, and is therefore permitted. Rav Chaim Mordechai Margolios (1750?-1818) in his Shaarei Teshuvah (OC 187:3) explains that for Chanukah, the Nissim of the Chashmonayim was in the manner of warfare and not the type that would cause one’s merits to be detracted.
The Sfas Emes explains (in an answer to the famous Bais Yoseph’s question) that on Chanukah it became apparent the tevah – nature itself is a miracle. Based on this idea, one can explain that Chanukah stands apart from other times in that we become ever more aware at this time and that there is no loss of merit in praying for a miracle during this time.
This can serve as an inspiration as to the nature of Chanukah and its powers.
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