B"H
Tuesday, Kislev 26, 5782 / November 30, 2021
HAPPY SECOND DAY CHANUKAH. The second day of Chanukah teaches us that we must not be satisfied with yesterday’s achievements, rather we should add additional light every day. If yesterday one candle was enough, today we must add more light.
At a Chassidic gathering where people were celebrating one of the holidays, they ran out of wine to say Lechayim. One of the Chassidim went down to the cellar to get more wine. When he came into the cellar it was very dark and he couldn’t see his way around.
He shouted up to the people upstairs that it was very dark. Someone said to him, “If you stay a little longer you will get used to the darkness and it won’t be so dark anymore.
Said Reb Hillel, one of the great Chassidim, “That’s the problem… when one stays in the dark too long, they think that it’s not dark anymore. One must differentiate between dark and light… Never to think that darkness is light. Better for one to recognize that they are in the dark than to mistake darkness for light…
Chanukah teaches us that we shouldn’t confuse darkness for light, rather to kindle a light and illuminate the darkness.
Darkness and light are not only in the physical sense, it also applies in a spiritual sense. Purpose and guidance in life is light, as one knows where they are going and has direction. Whereas no purpose and no direction is darkness.
Torah is compared to light. Our sages say, “Even a small light will push away much darkness.” The lesson of the Chanukah lights is that even a small amount of Torah each day, goes a long way.
Q. In the prayer recited after the lighting of the Chanukah candles we say, "During all eight days of Chanukah these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make use of them". What is the reason that we are not permitted to have any personal use of the Chanukah lights?
A. The Chanukah candles commemorate the lights of the menorah in the Beth Hamikdash (Holy Temple). One was prohibited to have any personal use of the holy objects of the Beth Hamikdash. Being that the Chanukah candles represent the lights of the Beth Hamikdash we are not to derive any personal benefit from them either.
Q. Why do we light an extra candle each night, called the "Shamesh," with which we light the Chanukah candles and is later placed in the menorah apart from the Chanukah candles?
A. As mentioned above, we are prohibited to have any personal use from the Chanukah lights. Thus, by having the extra candle, if we forget and enjoy the light of the menorah, it will be from the "Shamesh."
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & HAPPY CHANUKAH