Q. See question above. Since I’m making a Siyum for my mother’s Shloshim honor, should it be better done during Chanuka as it will be a full seudah banquet serving meat and wine?

A. On question 1976 regarding if there is a Rabbinic mitzva of simcha and joy in Hanuka, and eating a Seuda or special meal, we wrote: “Rambam (H. Chanuka 3: 3) writes that the days of Chanuka were established by the Sages of that generation as days of “simcha and hallel,” rejoice and praise. Poskim disagree as to the definition of simcha in Chanuka.

Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 370: 2) rules that the simcha is limited to not fasting or saying hespedim and the meals eaten are not considered Seudos Mitzva,. Mishna Berura (6) quotes the Levush that explains the difference between Chanuka and Purim.

Remah (ibid.), however maintains that there is some mitzva in the seuda and if one recites shiros and Vesishbachos to Hashem, thanking and praising for the miracles that occurred they are considered seudos mitzva.

Chassam Sofer (Y.D. 233), seems to maintain that although the particular mitzvos that apply to Purim and Chanuka are only rabbinical, the instituting of a day of moed on the day a miracle occurred and rejoicing in it, is a biblical mitzva.

Even Ezra (Behaaloscha) explains on the pasuk “ubeyom simchaschem ubemoadeichem” when you were victorious over your enemies and you will establish them as days of rejoice, that it refers to Chanuka and Purim. (See also questions 1222, 1555 and 1971).

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should recite shiros vesishbochos and divrei Torah on the meals of Chanuka and turn them into a seudas mitzva.”
It would therefore be proper and recommended to do the Siyum for your mother’s honor during Chanuka as it can be a full seuda banquet serving meat and wine.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a