B"H

Thursday, Kislev 29, 5777 / December 29, 2016

Happy fifth day of Chanukah.

Q.  Why do we light the Chanukah candles near a window or door, while the Shabbat and holiday candles we light on or near the table where we eat the Shabbat or holiday meal?

A. Our sages tell us that the purpose of the Shabbat candles is to bring light, which is associated with peace, within ourhome. The home should shine and be peaceful, therefore, the candles are lit by the table where the family eats and interacts together.  

The purpose of the Chanukah candles is different. It is to publicize the miracle of Chanukah to the world at large. They are lit in the evening, when there is darkness outside and they are placed near a window or door so that their lights will shine to the outside and illuminate the darkness of the outside world with the bright holy Chanukah lights, to publicize the great miracle of Chanukah, in which the force of light prevailed over darkness.

The illuminating message of the Chanukah candles is that even the greatest darkness can be overcome with light. Our sages say, “A small amount of light can push away a great amount of darkness.” One cannot fight darkness with sticks, only light has the power to overcome darkness.

How true is this message this Chanukah, when instead of spreading the truth, which is represented by light, the world body called, the UN, from where the Uneducated Nations (hence the name UN) of the world are exporting lies and darkness.

For over two thousand years, the little Chanukah lights represented the great miracle of Chanukah which took place in OUR holy Temple, which was situated in OUR Holy city of Jerusalem. If anyone still needs proof that Jerusalem and the Wailing Wall belongs to the Jewish people, as it has belonged to us for thousands of years, it is the lights of the Chanukah menorah that offer testimony to this. Only one who is blind doesn’t see the light. Unfortunately, there are too many blind people in that building of shame and darkness in Manhattan.

Our sages tell us that the the holiday of Chanukah is so significant, that even when Moshiach will come and the Third Holy Temple will be constructed in Jerusalem and we will again light the real menorah in the Temple, the Chanukah holiday and the lighting of the Chanukah lights will still be celebrated. Spreading the truth and light to dispel the lies and darkness of the world against us, seems to be an everlasting and never ending job for our people.

May G-d protect every inch of OURHoly Land, including Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria - G-d’s gift to the Jewish people. No one, but no one has the right to take it or give it away. Am Yisrael Chai!

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & HAPPY CHANUKAH

Tonight, Thursday night and Friday, is Rosh Chodesh of the new month, Tevet

**Next Torah Fax next week**