Q. On question 1222 you wrote: “Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that Chanuka is called a Chag and a Yom Tov as we find in Shulchan Aruch (Y. D. 217: 47) regarding a neder done exempting those days, that Chanuka and Purim are also considered Yomim Tovim at least in name. Taz (ibid. 38) explains that in the language and expressions that people commonly use, they are included.
Orchos Rabeinu mentions that Horav Yakov Yisroel Kanievsky zt’l would indeed greet people with a “Gut Yom Tov” on Chanuka. See similar opinion in Alenu Leshabeach (6: p. 342).”
However, Remoh (O.H. 570: 1) rules that “if someone made a neder to fast a number of days, excluding Yom Tov, then Chanuka and Purim are not included in the exclusion, unless he said so.” Mishna Berura (ibid. 6) explains that Chanuka and Purim are not called a Yom Tov. Is that not a contradiction?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it depends on the individual, if he or others are used to greet during Chanuka by saying Gut Yom Tov, then it is called a Yom Tov, as the Taz himself mentions. Otherwise, it isn’t as the Mishna Berura writes.
It is common in Eretz Yisroel to use in many communities the Chag Chanuka Sameach or Chag Orim Sameach greeting. However, the Rov maintains that there is a difference between the terms Chag and Yom Tov.
Although, Alenu Leshabeach (6: p. 342), does quote that Horav Y. Y. Kanievsky zt’l, and Horav Y. S. Elyashiv zt’l would greet people with a “Gut Yom Tov” on Chanuka, the common practice is not to address others during Chanuka saying a Gut Yom Tov.
Even though the Talmud (Shabbos 21b) does mention that the days of Chanuka were established as “Yomim Tovim, Behallel Vehodaa,” the Rov explained that it refers, as it says literally, only to giving praise and thanks. (See also question 1555 in regards to eating meat on Chanuka)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a