Interesting read, however, I deeply disagree. In general, not sure why only the Beis Yitzchak's reasons are shared, given how there are a number of different reasons (ranging from the fact that electricity shares nothing in common with the core components of the menorah (neither whicks, oil or flame) to the fascinating - the nature of electricity means the 'flame' is constantly being regenerated and thus doesn't last the prerequisite 30 minutes (see shut har Tzvi - since my write up here is less nuanced)) but even the second reason of the Beis Yitzchak is very much the point.
Look at an electric menorah in a room, it's lost among the myriad of electric lights in a room. Flame stands out. It's qualitatively different in a way that catches the eye and arrests us...
Yes a big public electric menorah in the town square (or on the roof of a car ) has its place... But ultimately the pirsum nes needs to be to ourselves as well, to our families, starting in the home and emanating outward. And a flame is uniquely suited to do that.
Is this now a competition with the Christians? Why would we feel the need to do our holiday the same way they do theirs? I appreciate the low-key way Chanukah is celebrated in the public sphere.
Interesting read, however, I deeply disagree. In general, not sure why only the Beis Yitzchak's reasons are shared, given how there are a number of different reasons (ranging from the fact that electricity shares nothing in common with the core components of the menorah (neither whicks, oil or flame) to the fascinating - the nature of electricity means the 'flame' is constantly being regenerated and thus doesn't last the prerequisite 30 minutes (see shut har Tzvi - since my write up here is less nuanced)) but even the second reason of the Beis Yitzchak is very much the point.
Look at an electric menorah in a room, it's lost among the myriad of electric lights in a room. Flame stands out. It's qualitatively different in a way that catches the eye and arrests us...
Yes a big public electric menorah in the town square (or on the roof of a car ) has its place... But ultimately the pirsum nes needs to be to ourselves as well, to our families, starting in the home and emanating outward. And a flame is uniquely suited to do that.
Is this now a competition with the Christians? Why would we feel the need to do our holiday the same way they do theirs? I appreciate the low-key way Chanukah is celebrated in the public sphere.