The Importance of Lighting Chanukah Candles at the Proper Time

The Talmud teaches that “A Mitzvah is beloved in its proper time." This means that Hashem cherishes Mitzvot that one performs at the preferred time, immediately, without any delay, which demonstrates the importance he affords to the Mitzvah. In fact, the Gemara establishes that if one performs a Mitzvah precisely as it was intended to be observed, then he will never receive bad tidings, as the power of the Mitzvah will protect him. The verse states in Kohelet: "Shomer Mitzvah Lo Yeda Davar Ra" – "One who ‘guards’ a Mitzvah shall know no evil." The verse in Kohelet refers to somebody who is "Shomer Mitzvah" – who looks forward with great excitement and anticipation to the Mitzvah, and rushes to perform it at the first opportunity, rather than delaying it. Such a person "shall know no evil" – will be spared from harm, as the merit of the Mitzvah will protect him. The Rambam describes the Mitzvah of the Chanukah candle lighting as "an exceedingly beloved Mitzvah." By performing this Mitzvah at its proper time, we perform a double "beloved" act: the Mitzvah itself is "beloved," and a Mitzvah performed at the ideal time is also "beloved." We cannot even imagine how cherished such a Mitzvah is before Hashem, how we endear ourselves to Him by performing such a special Mitzvah at the proper time. It therefore behooves us to make every effort to light the Chanukah candles at the earliest time, which is approximately 4:50 PM (in the NYC area). This is particularly so if one in any event is home and has the opportunity to light at that time. Rather than waiting until later in the evening, after dinner, he should go the synagogue, recite Mincha and Arvit, and then light the Chanukah candles with his family at the proper time. 

 By Rabbi Eli Mansour