B"H
Wednesday, Tevet 1, 5785 / January 1, 2025
Happy eighth day of Chanukah!Today is the last day of Chanukah. This day is called, “Zot Chanukah,” after the words in today’s Torah reading for the last day of Chanukah. “Zot Chanukah” summarizes the total sum of all contributions which were donated by the heads of the tribes to the dedication of the Tabernacle.
Our sages say that the quality of light is so great that even a small amount of light can drive away lots of darkness.
When it’s pitch black one cannot see even something right in front of them. One can be standing next to a life-threatening object or situation and not be aware of it in the dark. Yet, even a small amount of light coming through a small crack in the wall, or lighting a small candle can make one aware of the danger and make the difference between life and death, G-d forbid.
The purpose of lighting the candles near a window each night of Chanukah is to shine into the night and illuminate its darkness. The Chanukah candles teach us that in order to go through life, with its many crossroads and hazards and come out at the other end in safety; we have to keep our headlights on.
Light enables us to distinguish between danger and safety. The Chanukah candles symbolize the Torah and mitzvot, which are compared to light. They are our guide to distinguish between danger and safety as we and our children go through life. Here is how:
The candles are placed in the menorah on the right side as we face the menorah. The first night, we place a candle (or fill the oil) in the extreme right holder of the menorah. Each additional night, we place the new candle to the left of the previous one and we begin by lighting the new candle. Thus, we place the candles in the menorah from right to left, but we light from left to right.
Q.Why do we place the candles from right to left, yet kindle them from left to right?
A.One of the decrees during the time of Chanukah was the ban against studying Torah. By lighting of the Chanukah candles, which commemorate the miracle of the oil, we also express our thanks for the miracle of the Torah, which is also likened to oil.
The Torah is read from right to left. Yet, when each letter is written in the Torah by the scribe, he starts the individual letter from the left and continues to the right!
Similarly, when we place the candles on the right side of the Menorah and then light them from left to right, it represents the Torah scroll. This way we express our thanks to G-d that through the miracle of Chanukah, we were again able to study Torah which illuminates our lives and guides us in the right path.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY & HAPPH CHANUKAH
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW