B"H
Friday, Kislev 12, 5785 / December 13, 2024
In two weeks, Wednesday night, December 25, we will light the first Chanukah light - ushering in the Chanukah holiday, which will last for eight days. Each night thereafter, we add an additional light, until we light the full eight lights of the Chanukah Menorah.
The reason we celebrate the holiday for eight days is because Chanukah commemorates the miracle of the lights in the Holy Temple, when a small amount of oil, barely enough for one day, miraculously lasted eight days.
There are two kinds of Chanukah menorahs. Some are made for candles, and some are made for oil. While candles may be more common and practical, many prefer to use olive oil.
Q. What is the reason for using olive oil?
A. In the Beth Hamikdash (Holy Temple), where the miracle took place, only the purest olive oil was permitted to be used for the Menorah. Because the Chanukah lights commemorate the miracle of the menorah in the Holy Temple, many use olive oil to perform this special mitzvah.
Q. Why was olive oil used in the menorah of the Holy Temple?
A. The Midrash explains why the Jewish people are compared to olive oil. Other liquids mix well with each other, but oil, when mixed with other liquids, will eventually separate and float to the top. So too, we have been amongst the many nations, over the past 2000 years, who tried to assimilate us. Yet, the Jewish people retained their unique identity and eventually would rise up.
The menorah and its seven branches represent the Jewish people. The Jewish people are also compared to an olive. Just like the olive produces its fine oil when it is pressed, so too, the Jewish people produced their greatest scholars and performed their greatest accomplishments under the difficulties and pressures of exile.
Challenges bring out the best in us and reveal within us capabilities we would never otherwise know we have. It’s through the pressing of the olive that it gives forth its greatest light. Thus, olive oil is used in the menorah which represents the shine and brightness of the Jewish people.
Q. Is Chanukah a Biblicalholiday, or a rabbinicalholiday?
A. There are 613 mitzvot in the Torah. In addition, there are 7 rabbinic mitzvot, for a total of 620 mitzvot. Chanukah is one of the seven rabbinical mitzvot. The miracle of Chanukah took place about 1200 years after the Giving of the Torah. It was established by the sages.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 3:53 / Shabbat ends: 5:01
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW