A Light for Every Home

Why is it that the mitzvah of Chanukah, in its purest, simplest form is a light for every home? 

I remember as a child enjoying jelly donuts from a local Chabad van, after a public lighting in the lawn of Great Neck House. Likewise, I've seen many large electric Chabad menorahs lit throughout the streets of Jerusalem, at central junctions, intersections and the like. 

That notwithstanding, I think that there's something missing a little bit in that conceptualization of the commemorative day, a day instituted for praise and thanksgiving. 

In my humble opinion, the rabbinic command was placed on each and every home because that is the unit entrusted with preserving the Jewish faith from one generation, like we say in the prayer U'vah Letzion: "Lo yamushu toratcha, m'picha, u'mipi zar'acha, u'm'pi zera zar'acha" (The words of the Torah shall not leave your mouth, your offspring's mouth, and the mouth of your offspring's offspring.). 

The only bulwark against the Hellenist influences is the family, the father and mother who protect their children; likewise, perhaps, the shul, or community lights inside the beit knesset, because it's also a bastion of resistance towards Hellenist or outside influences. 

The mitzvah of spreading the miracle is incumbent on every household, every home, every shul - but not, the way I see it, for parties trying to spread the light in the public domain. 

Though admirable, I fear that there's a risk at losing the larger picture, that it's for a father and mother to carry on the message, not for shlichim, emmisaries or diplomats. Rather, each and every one of us has to boast his candle lights when they're most visible from sunset to the time when people cease returning home from their everyday functions - which is why it really is ideal to light on time, when the daytime activity is tapering off, and not when passerby are few and far between.

Chanukah Sameach!

Yoav