B"H
Monday, Kislev 18, 5779 / November 26, 2018
There are two Rabbinical holidays in the Jewish calendar; Chanukah and Purim.
Purim we celebrate the miracle when G-d saved us from Haman, who wanted to annihilate the entire Jewish nation.
On Chanukah we celebrate the miracle of the victory of the small army of the Macabees, over the much greater armies of their enemies. We also celebrate the miracle of the small quantity of undefiled pure olive oil, enough for only one day, which miraculously burnt for eight days.
Q. Which miracle took place first, the miracle of Purim or Chanukah?
A.The miracle of Purim happened about two hundred years before the miracle of Chanukah. The miracle of Purim took place between the First and Second Temples, when Jews were in Persia. The miracle of Chanukah took place in Israel, during the time of the Second Temple.
The eight day hoiday of Chanukah begins next Sunday night, December 2, when we light the first Chanukah candle. Each night of Chanukah we add an additional candle, until the last night of Chanukah when we light a total of eight candles.
In addition to the Chanukah candles, we also light one more candle each night, called “The Shamesh.” We light the Shamesh first and with it we kindle the Chanukah lights. The Shamesh is left lit on the menorah in a bit higher position than the Chanukah candles.
Q. Why is that candle called “Shamesh”? Why do we need the Shamesh?
A. “Shamesh” is one who “serves.” Because this candle serves to kindle the Chanukah lights it is called Shamesh. The reason we leave the Shamesh lit after we kindle the Chanukah lights is because we are prohibited from having any benefit from the Chanukah lights. Thus, we leave this candle lit, so if we forget and have any use from the light, it would be considered as if we had it from the Shamesh.
Q. Why is the holiday called Chanukah?
A. "Chanukah" means "dedication". On the 25th of Kislev, the Chashmonaim re-dedicated the Holy Temple after it was desecrated by the Greek pagan worshippers.
Another reason: "Chanukah" can also be split into two words; "Chanu" which means "they rested"; "Kah" numerically represents the number "twenty-five".
In this context, the name "Chanukah" describes the miracle on the battlefield in which the small Jewish army of the Maccabees were victorious and they rested on the 25th day of the month Kislev - the day when the Chanukah holiday begins.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY