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Small bites, Big lights

11/29/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
Chanukah is about Chizuk. Chizuk = Motivation, inspiration.

Almost every Jewish holiday begins with the lighting of candles. “Lighting a candle in the darkness is the most elemental human symbol of hope. When you light [Shabbat or holiday] candles, you reenact God’s opening act of creation – ‘Let there be light.’ - Noam Zion----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classic Question: Why is the miracle celebrated for 8 days if the first day was not a miracle? The miracle was for 7 days. 

Hundreds of answers are given for this question. Rabbi Avi Weiss says the eighth miracle was that the Jews tried to light at all. Others might have given up in this situation. When we try and fail it is understandable,when we fail to try that is inexcusable.
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The second most important event in the psyche of the 20th century American Jewry was the six day war. This event changed the way Jews see themselves. The most important event was the Chanukah song by Adam Sandler .

Chanukah is about the continuation of a tradition in spite of opposition and often times because of it. Pride and Chizuk or strength is an important aspect of Survival and that is why the Chanukah song is so important. It made people proud to be Jewish. It made being Jewish cool, Jews were not just a group of people who had Christmas envy. Being interested and excited about Judaism is essential to its survival. The holy spark must be ignited in every Jew, through Chizuk. 

1 Comment
Esther link
12/2/2013 06:11:46 am

....just today, somewhere I read, that this 8th miracle was that someone in the ruins of the Temple, or before it was desecrated had faith to hide a flask of pure oil so that someone else would eventually find it and relight the Holy Menorah. It's similar to the person who plants a tree knowing fully well he/she will never sit beneath its shade, or partake of its fruit. There is a huge measure of love to do this, that unknown others of posterity are able to enjoy our love, even posthumously. It's really all about love. The first crucial 25th of Kislev started as a huge act of hate, the date when Cain murdered Abel. Thou shalt not kill is contrary to "I am the L-rd your G-d....", in the Luchot. In Judaism, out of absolute darkness comes the sublime. Ruth, the Moabite, great grandmother of Dovid, comes to mind. The Miskhkan was completed on the 25th of Kislev. The actual dedication was left for the 1st of Nissan, the month when Yitzchak was born. But on the day of the Mishkan's completion, HaShem had joy as when the day He created the world. So a subsequent 25th of Kislev was set aside for the day when that flask of oil that someone hid for others to enjoy its light and kedusha --- would be found and yet another reenactment of HaShem's joy upon Creation could be had. It's cool to be Jewish, B"H, there's so much enactment of light and joy and honour while at it.

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