B"H

Friday, Kislev 18, 5784 / December 1, 2023

Next week, Thursday evening, December 7th, we will light the first Chanukah light and usher in the holiday of Chanukah.

Although other holidays, like Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot, in the Diaspora we celebrate one day more than in Israel, Chanukah is celebrated eight days in Israel as in the Diaspora.

On Chanukah we celebrate two miracles: 1) The miracle of winning the war against the Syrian-Greek-Hellenistic forces, as we recite in the Al Hanisim prayer, "Strong fell in the hands of the weak; many into the hands of the few."

2)  We celebrate the miracle of the oil in the Holy Temple (Beth HaMikdash), when they found a small flask of oil, which was sealed with the seal of the Hight Priest. It was enough to last for only one day, which miraculously lasted for eight days. 

Q.  We can understand how lighting the Menorah celebrates the miracle of the oil. But how does lighting the Menorah commemorate the miracle of winning the war?

A.  Our sages tell us that the harsh decrees against the Jewish people at the time of Chanukah were not physical, but spiritual. Jews were prohibited to study Torah and observe the mitzvot which connect us to G-d.  Thus, the war which the Macabees fought against the Hellenists was to protect and save the Jewish soul; i.e. for the observance of Torah and mitzvot. 

The soul is compared to a candle, as is written, "The candle of G-d is the soul of man." Torah and mitzvot are also compared to a candle and light. 

As a result, the sages established to celebrate the miracles of Chanukah with the lighting of candles. It celebrates not only the miracle of the physical oil in the Beth Hamikdash which lasted eight days, it also commemorates the victory of the Jewish soul, which is compared to a candle, and the victory of Torah and mitzvot, which are also compared to a candle and light.

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." Why aren't we permitted to have any personal use of the Chanukah candles?

A.  The Chanukah candles commemorate the lights of the Holy Temple (Beth HaMikdash). One was prohibited from having any personal use from the holy objects of the Temple. Being that the Chanukah candles represent the lights of the Temple we may not derive any personal benefit from them either.

WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 3:54 / Shabbat ends: 5:02