B"H
Friday, Kislev 25, 5784 / December 8, 2023
HAPPY CHANUKAH. Today (Friday) is the firstday of Chanukah.
In the Talmud there are various opinions as to how we perform the mitzvah of the Chanukah candles.
According to the opinion of the Rabbis of the House of Shamai, one should light all eight candles the first night of Chanukah, seven on the second night, six on the third night, etc. Thus, lighting one candle less each night, until the last night when we light only one candle.
However, we don’t hold by this opinion. We go by the ruling of the House of Hillel who say that the first night we light one candle, the second night two candles, the third night three, etc. Thus, addinga candle each night, until the final night of Chanukah, when we light all eight candles.
The reasoning of the House of Shamai is that already on the first day the miracle happened, and the oil had the potential to burn for eight days. Although, it wasn’t obvious yet, the potential for the miracle was there already. But Hillel says that when it comes to performing a mitzvah we addand do not subtract. If we would start with eight and then go down to one candle, we would be going from more to less and with mitzvot we do the opposite – we add in holiness.
Hillel’s ruling was accepted as law, and we perform the mitzvah of Chanukah lights by addingan additional candle each night. This way we go up each day with the performance of this mitzvah.
This concept and lesson to go higher and higher in performing mitzvot, is first visible when we kindle the second candle on Friday, thus adding an additional candle from the previous night. It will become even more prominent as we go through the eight days of Chanukah.
This lesson applies to all good deeds. We must always aspire to do more than before. We shouldn’t be satisfied with our past accomplishments but strive to do more and go higher and higher.
Q. What is the significance of the four Hebrew letters on the Dreidel; Nun, Gimel, Hay, Shin?
A. The four letters on the Dreidel stand for: "Nes, Gadol, Haya, Sham" - "A great miracle happened there." These four letters were usually written for the dreidels in the Diaspora.
In Israel, the letter "Shin" is substituted with the letter "Pay". It stands for the Hebrew word "Poh", "Here" ("A great miracle happened here"), for the miracle took place in Israel.
WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
MAY WE INDEED SEE GREAT MIRACLES IN ISRAEL - SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 3:52 / Shabbat ends: 5:01
In loving memory of Sonja Liverant Zaritzky Marcu– Sonia bat Yosef, of blessed memory.
A true Neshama and blessed soul. May her Neshama-soul rest in peace in Gan Eden.