B"H
Monday, Kislev 21, 5784 / December 4, 2023
The miracle of Chanukah, which commemorates the victory of good over evil and the victory of light over darkness, took place over two thousand years ago. Yet, we celebrated Chanukah year after year for over two thousand years. Throughout the generations, Jews drew great spiritual strength from the holiday of Chanukah and its en-lightening message.
This is especially true today, when the forces of darkness and evil are fighting us from every corner of the world, from near and far, from above ground and from the tunnels beneath.
Every Jewish holiday, no matter how long ago it took place, is a lesson for us today. The purpose of lighting the Menorah and celebrating the miracle of Chanukah today is to illuminate our own personal path in life so that we see and appreciate our individual miracles which take place each and every day.
Some miracles are obvious, and we recognize them as such. However, most are hidden, for they are constant and thus are concealed in what we call "nature." A more accurate term for what is commonly known as "nature" would be, "constant miracles." We refer to them as nature because they are constant, and we are exposed to them all the time. In truth, every second of every day is a real miracle.
Miracles are usually defined as something which is out of the ordinary, unexpected and cannot be explained. They defy and challenge the laws of nature. Things which we come to expect and happen continuously are generally categorized as "nature."
In truth, nature is the greatest miracle of all. The very fact that G-d makes these things happen so normally and so ordinarily, is the greatest miracle.
Three times each day in the Amidah prayer, we acknowledge this with the following words: "We thankfully acknowledge that You are the L-rd... You are the strength of our life... We offer blessings and thanks for our lives which are in Your hands, for our souls which are entrusted to You and for Your miracles which are with us daily."
In darkness, one can be standing next to the greatest treasure, but will not see nor appreciate it. It takes the power of light to reveal that treasure. "Nature" is like darkness which conceals G-d. It is one of the tests and challenges we are presented with, each day. It takes wisdom and understanding, which is compared to "light" to find and see G-d's hand within nature.
"A small amount of light drives away much darkness," say our sages. The world around us can at times be full of darkness. Chanukah serves to put light into our lives, so we see G-d's miracles that constantly accompany us and thus feel that G-d loves us! Although we do not have the Holy Temple today, every Jewish home is our personal Holy Temple in which G-d dwells to the extent we bring Him into our home. As we will look at the Chanukah lights, this Chanukah, we should rejoice and be thankful for all the natural daily miracles, because G-d is with us all the time!
WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR REVEALED MIRACLES FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY