B"H

Monday, Kislev 19, 5777 / December 19, 2016

Chanukah begins this Saturday night. One of the many lessons from the Chanukah candles is how important each and every mitzvah is. There is no mitzvah too small or too insignificant. 

Mitzvot are called, “light” and just as even a small light can push away much darkness, so too, every mitzvah we perform brings spiritual light to the world and pushes away much darkness.

This is the lesson of the Chanukah lights. Each of the Chanukah lights have to consist of a single wick. One is not permitted to link a few wicks together, for then it becomes a flame and a flame is not qualified for performing the mitzvah of Chanukah candles.

A flame may give more light, but Chanukah teaches us the importance of the individual. The miracle of Chanukah, as we say in the Al Hanisim prayer, was when a small army of “few” overpowered the army of “many.”

It is not the quantity which makes a difference in the victory of good over evil, rather it is the quality.

Chanukah teaches us that each one counts. Each one of us can accomplish so much, and for that matter has the responsibility, to be a shining light to illuminate our surroundings.

Today, the 19th day of Kislev, is the day when the first Chabad Rabbi, Rabbi Shneur Zalmen, was released from Czarist prison for his role in spreading the light of Torah. The illumination of his Torah teachings has been shining throughout the world ever since. Indeed, just like the individual Chanukah lights, one person can make a tremendous impact even on a global scale.

Chanukah also teaches us that one cannot be satisfied with yesterday’s accomplishments. Each night we add an additional candle. Although, one small light was enough yesterday, but the next day we have to increase in our efforts and bring more light into the world.

During the great blackout of November, 1965, when the electric circuits went dead from Canada to as far south as Baltimore, New York was pitch black.

Max was in his Brooklyn apartment screwing in a light bulb into the socket, when suddenly the power failed.  His wife jumped up, ran over to the window and saw that everywhere, the entire city as far as she can see, was pitch-black.

“Max,” she wailed, “look what you did!”

Perhaps Max didn’t have any effect on the blackout in New York, but, each and everyone can have some impact. Every spiritual light we kindle pushes away much of the darkness and makes this world a brighter and better world.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Friday, Kislev 16, 5777 / December 16, 2016

In Parshat, Vayishlach, which we read on Shabbat, Yaakov and his family return to Canaan.  Yaakov sends "Ma'lachim" to his brother, Esau, to tell him that he is looking for peace. 

The "Malachim" return and tell Yaakov that Esau is not ready for peace. Instead, Esau is coming with 400 men to fight him. Upon hearing this, Yaakov became frightened and makes a plan to counter Esau's threat.

Yaakov prayed to G-d to save them. Yaakov sent gifts to Esau to show that he wants peace. He also prepared for war. In the end, G-d sent angels who frightened Esau so that he did not harm Yaakov.

Yaakov prayed, "G-d of my father Abraham, and G-d of my father Yitzchak…I am humbled by all the kindness and the truth which you have done with your servant... Rescue me from the hand of my brother from the hand of Esau.”  

In describing the messengers which Yaakov sent to Esau, the Torah uses the expression "Ma'lachim" which can be translated as "messengers" or "angels." The Midrash and Rashi explain that Yaakov sent "angels" to convey his message to Esau. The question is asked, who were these angels whom Yaakov sent to go and deliver his plea to Esau? Also, what is the lesson for us?

Rabbi Meir of Premishlan has a very interesting answer. He quotes the Mishna of Pirkei Avot (4:13) which states, "Whoever performs a single mitzvah gains himself an advocate." This refers to the angelswhich are created from the mitzvot we perform. Every mitzvah we do creates an angel, who pleads with G-d and intercedes on our behalf.

Yaakov sent the angels which were created as a result of the many mitzvot which he performed.  The lesson for us is that, we too, must remember that every mitzvah and good deed we perform creates an angel who works on ourbehalf when we need it most.

Yaakov's prayer also teaches us the proper attitude one should have when praying for G-d’s help. Yaakov didn't state that he deserved to be saved. Rather, Yaakov prefaces his request, saying, "I am humbled." When Yaakov came to Lavan twenty years earlier, he didn't posses more than his staff.  Now he had a family and great material wealth. But, instead of crediting himself, or feeling that he deserved it all, which he did, he attributes it to G-d’s kindness, thus leading him to feel humble.

It is an important lesson for us. When we feel that whatever good we have is due only to G-d’s kindness and not because it’s coming to us, then we feel grateful for everything, even the small blessings. We learn to appreciate whatever Hashem does for us, for it is all due to His generosity and kindness.

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 3:53 / Shabbat ends: 5:03

B"H

Tuesday, Kislev 13, 5777 / December 13, 2016

The Talmud describes the miracle of Chanukah as follows, "When the Greeks occupied the sanctuary, they defiled all the oil. When the Chashmonaim defeated them, they searched and found only one jarof oil which had the seal of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). It contained enough oil to burn only one day.  Yet, a miracle occurred and the oil burned eight days" (Tractate Shabbat 21).

On Chanukah we celebrate and thank G-d for two great miracles:  1) The victory on the battlefield - in which the small army of the Chashmonaim defeated the much larger forces of their Greek-Asyrian enemies.  This is expressed in the, "Al Hanisim" prayer which is recited on Chanukah; "You delivered the strong into the hands of the weak, the many in the hands of the few..."

2) The miracle of the oil – when a small amount of oil, enough for one day, sufficed for eight days.

Q.In addition to lighting the Chanukah menorah at home, it is also lit in synagogue.  Why?

A.  The purpose of lighting the menorah is to publicize the miracle of Chanukah.  For this reason we place the menorah near the door or window so that people will see it. To publicizethe miracle of Chanukah, we also light it in synagogue, which is a place of communal prayer.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged the lighting of large public menorahs in shopping centers, parks etc. It is an additional way to fulfill the mitzvah of publicizing the miracle of Chanukah.

Also, a synagogue is called a "small sanctuary" and is an extension of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Lighting it in synagogue commemorates the miracle as it took place in the HolyTemple.

Q.  Why is it customary to place the menorah on the south wall of the synagogue?

A.  The candelabra (menorah) in the Holy Temple stood on the south side of the sanctuary. Thus, the Chanukah menorah in shul is lit on the south side.

Q.  Why is the holiday called "Chanukah?"

A.The name "Chanukah" represents both above mentioned miracles.  1) Chanukah comes from the word "dedication" - referring to the re-dedication of the Holy Temple, with the lighting of the menorah, after being desecrated by the Greek idol worshippers.

2) "Chanu-kah" can also be split into two words; "Chanu" which means "they rested"; "Kah" - represents the number "twenty-five." In this context, the name Chanukah tells us that the Macabees "rested on the 25th" day of the month Kislevafter winning the battles against the much larger Greek-Syrian armies. The first day Chanukah, on the hebrew calendar, is the 25th of Kislev.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY