Published December 20, 2009
In his old age, the Chafetz Chayim planned to move to Eretz Yisrael for his final years. Unfortunately, this plan was never realized.
For some time there had been problems with the mikveh in the neighboring town of Lida. The essential refurbishment required money, and there was none forthcoming from the local residents, in spite of the Chafetz Chayim’s frequent requests to the townsfolk to repair the mikveh.
Now, before the Chafetz Chayim’s planned move to Eretz Yisrael, he wished to resolve the “unfinished business” of the Mikveh in Lida.
Summoning the townsfolk to a meeting, the Chafetz Chayim told them: “I have tried time after time to have you repair the mikveh but have been unsuccessful. I am now an old man, and my time will no doubt come soon. How will I be able to go up to Hashem and leave the question of the mikveh unsettled? What can I use to defend myself? I have decided that in my defense I would like each an every one of you to sign a document to the effect that I did whatever I could to have the mikveh repaired, but you all simply disobeyed me. With a document like hat, I can at least have a defense in Heaven.”
Upon hearing this, one of the wealthy men in the town immediately pledged 500 rubles to the cause, and others soon followed. By the end of the meeting, enough money had been pledged to enable the work on the Mikveh to proceed.
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R’ Chanoch Henoch of Alexander pointed out that the halacha is that if a person does not have money to buy Chanuka candles, he should even sell his clothing. In general, though, in regard to other mitzvot, if a person has no money to purchase the necessary object he is exempt from the mitzva involved. Why the difference between Chanuka candles and other mitzvot?
The reason for this, he explained, is that in regard to the other mitzvot, if a person had the intention of performing the mitzva but was prevented from doing so because of circumstances totally beyond his control, it is considered as if he had performed the mitzva.
However, since the entire purpose of Chanuka is to publicize the miracle, just thinking of lighting the candles is insufficient. Hence the requirement for selling one’s clothing to buy Chanuka candles.
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