B"H
Tuesday, Kislev 16, 5785 / December 17, 2024
Wednesday night, December 25, will begin the holiday of Chanukah – the holiday of lights.
The Chanukah holiday commemorates the miracle of the oil in the Holy Temple: when only a small jar of pure, undefiled oil, which was barely enough for one day, miraculously lasted for eight days.
Every Jewish holiday, although they took place thousands of years ago, is a lesson for us today.
The lighting of the menorah and celebrating the miracle of Chanukah, should also serve to illuminate our own personal path in life so that we see and appreciate our individual miracles which take place each and every day.
The Chanukah candles should enlighten us to know and believe in the power of miracles. Miracles do happen all the time, it is only a matter of recognizing them. Some miracles are obvious, and we recognize them as such, but most are hidden miracles, for they are constant and thus are concealed in what we like to call nature.
A more accurate term for what is commonly known as "nature" would be "a constant 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. But things which we come to expect and happen continuously are generally categorized as "nature."
However, 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 committed in your hands, for our souls which are entrusted to you, 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. Life can be filled with 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. Chanukah teaches us to rejoice and be thankful because G-d performs miracles for us all the time!
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW