B"H

Friday, Kislev 29, 5782 / December 3, 2021

Happy fifth day of Chanukah!This Shabbat is Rosh Chodesh and Chanukah. As a result, we read from three Torahas. In the first we read the Shabbat reading, Parshat Mikeitz. In the second Torah we read about Rosh Chodesh. In the third Torah we read the Chanukah reading. 

In connection with the miracle of the oil which we celebrate on Chanukah, here are two other miracles that happened with oil.

First story: In the Book of Kings we find that the wife of one of the prophets came to Elisha and said, "My husband has died and you know that he was G-d fearing.  Now the creditor has come to take my two children as slaves because I can't repay the loan."

"Tell me, what do you have in your house?" Elisha asked her.  "Only a little jar of oil," she answered.

"Go and borrow as many empty pots as you can from your neighbors.   Then go back home, close the door and, with the help of your children, pour the oil from the little jar into the empty pots." She did as the Prophet told her.  The children handed her the empty pots and she kept on pouring.  

When her son told her that there were no more pots to fill, the little jar of oil became empty.   She went back and told Elisha about the miracle.   Elisha told her to sell the oil, pay her debt and use the rest for her livelihood.    

Second story:  In the Talmud we find the following story: One Friday afternoon, Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa saw that his daughter was very upset.  "What is the matter?" he asked his daughter. 

"It is soon time to light the Shabbat candles, but instead of oil, I mistakenly filled the candelabra with vinegar."

"There is nothing to worry about," said her father.  "The one who commanded that oil should burn will command that vinegar will burn.  Go light the Shabbat candles!" His daughter lit the wicks which were soaked with vinegar.  A miracle occurred and the wicks burnt the entire Shabbat. 

In truth, everything in life is a miracle.  Miracles happen to each of us every minute of every day, as we recite in the daily Modim prayer, in which we thank G-d for the everyday miracles. 

There are two kinds of miracles; There are miracles that contradict and defy the laws of nature, as in the story of Chanukah and in the above two stories.  Then there are the miracles which G-d performs within the laws of nature.  Chanukah is a reminder that everything, starting with life itself, is a miracle and should not be taken for granted.  Realizing this, we would be more thankful and much happier with whatever we have.

SHABBAT  SHALOM & HAPPY CHANUKAH

Montreal Shabbat candle lighting time: 3:54 / Shabbat ends: 5:01