The Meaning of the Menorah's Light

Dec 14, 2019  |  by Slovie Jungreis-Wolff

The Meaning of the Menorah's Light
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Four contemporary insights to illuminate our darkening world.
In a world filled with confusion, anxiety and hatred, Hanukkah gives us the gift of light. Here are four contemporary insights to the meaning of the menorah. Its light whispers to us to come close and listen to its wondrous message.

1. Search for Your Inner Fire
When the Hasmoneans defeated the Greeks, they searched the defiled Temple for pure oil sealed by the High Priest. They found only one sealed jar which would be sufficient to burn just one day. But a miracle occurred and the oil continued burning for eight days.

Why do we light our menorah for eight days? After all, the first day was not a miracle. Shouldn’t we celebrate a seven-day holiday?

The searching for that one jug of oil is a miracle in itself.

We've all experienced the feeling of fatigue, as that little voice inside our heads tells us: just give it up. It could be a life dream, a desire to do something great, to be better or live better. We may have a person in our lives who is floundering. It’s so much easier to walk away than to continue seeking and pursuing our quest for greatness.

The miracle of Hanukkah proclaims that one must never stop striving. Search for that inner fire. Don’t stop trying to find the soul that lies deep within the heart of others. Pursue goodness. It may be a struggle but don't cast away your dreams and the people you believe in. Search for the miracle and you will prevail.

2. Keep Growing
Each night of Hanukkah we first kindle the newest light from left to right, each night adding a new candle until the final evening when the entire menorah is aflame. We go up in numbers.

The increase of lights demonstrates the enormity of the miracle that increased each night.

In Judaism on a deeper level oil refers to the wisdom of the heart and mind. The Greeks defiled not only the oil but the hearts and thoughts of our nation. The Jewish people began to believe that it is Greek wisdom that holds truth.

But one pure jar remained, one remnant of truth, one spark of eternal Divine holiness that never departed. With this strength we were able to hold on to our sacred mission and grow great again. We did not lose the soul of the nation.

To be a Jew means that we keep growing, to keep studying, to keep striving to make the world a better place. How sad to coast in life, to be the same person we were 5 or 10 years ago, never developing, never transforming ourselves.

The menorah asks us to continuously challenge our minds and hearts. Add light to your life each and every day. Delve into the wisdom of Judaism. Nourish your soul so that you will flourish as a human being. Be greater.

3. Ignite the Fire within Our Children
When kindling the menorah, we need to hold the shamash, the flame, against the wick until it continues to burn on its own.

This is the mission of every parent, every adult who has a child in our lives.

The menorah is asking us to keep on kindling until the child is able to ignite the fire within his soul and stand as a proud Jew on his own. Be patient. Keep reaching out. Don’t be despondent. Every single child counts. Every person matters. Like water on a rock making a tiny splatter that eventually bores through the stone, so too, will you impact this child.

The word Hanukkah connotes ‘chinuch’- education, as well as dedication. The essence of Jewish education is the dedication of teaching Torah to the next generation. Torah is not a subject. It is a way of life. Create a home filled with the light of Shabbos candles dancing each week. Bless your children. Speak kindly. Bring joy home. Allow your children to see your love for our people and our Land of Israel. Teach children to give charity. Embody gratitude. Develop a connection with God in your life. Show the meaning of commitment to truth. Live with passion for all that you believe in.

Keep kindling. It's hard work. But the more you continue to hold your flame against the wick, the greater and more steady the flame.

4. Keep Hoping
The fact that the Jews did not despair of lighting the menorah the first day is an incredible message to us all. They knew that there was obviously not enough oil and none for the morrow. They could not possibly fulfill the Torah’s commandment to light a perpetual lamp.

And still, they refused to give up hope for tomorrow.

It is this hope that allows our nation to survive. If generations past would have had a looking glass into the future of the Jewish people they would cry out in anguished despair. Look what we see! Our Temple in Jerusalem destroyed, we were taken by chains to exile. Sold into slavery. Inquisitions. Burned at the stake for holding onto our faith. Pogroms. Crusades. Rounded into cattle cars and thrown into the burning ovens. Surrounded by enemies who threaten to throw us into the sea and wipe out the State of Israel. Terrorist attacks. Underground tunnels filled with deadly weapons. The lies of BDS. Racist attacks in Europe and the United States. Venomous hatred rearing its ugly head across college campuses. Even murder in synagogues.

Can it be that the nation of Israel still stands strong holding onto the faith of our fathers?

Yes!
We have never lost our will to survive as Jews. We have tenaciously held onto our hope and belief that Am Yisroel Chai – the people of Israel lives.
This Hanukkah take a moment and contemplate the lesson of the flames.


Hanukkah and the Secret to Jewish Survival
Dec 16, 2019  |  by Rabbi Tzvi Sytner
The Greeks tried to stop us from being Jewish. The battle isn't over yet.
WATCH
https://www.aish.com/h/c/mm/Hanukkah-and-the-Secret-to-Jewish-Survival.html?s=mm
 
Hanukkah: What, How and Why
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons
Hanukkah: What, How and Why
https://www.aish.com/h/c/ht/48969531.html?s=mpw
A concise, comprehensive guide to the holiday of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah (Chanukah) celebrates the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greek superpower in the second century BCE, during the time of the Second Holy Temple. It also celebrates the miracle of a little oil that lasted eight days. It is also known as the Festival of Lights.


History
Hanukkah celebrates the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greek superpower in the second century BCE, during the time of the Second Holy Temple. The Greeks emphasized external beauty, and attempted to secularize the Jews by abolishing key the Jewish practices of circumcision, Shabbat, and Torah study – under penalty of death. Many Jews (called Hellenists) began to assimilate into Greek culture, decaying the foundation of Jewish life and practice.


The story of Hanukkah is about this clash of cultures.


When the Greeks challenged the Jews to sacrifice a pig to a Greek god, a band courageous Jews took to the hills (near modern-day Modi’in) in open revolt against this threat to Jewish life. The Jewish priest Matitiyahu, and later his son Judah the Maccabee, led a guerrilla warfare against the Syrian-Greek army. After three years, against incredible odds, the Maccabees miraculously defeated the superpower of that time.


The Jewish warrior heroes recaptured the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, cleansed it of idols, and re-dedicated it on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. Wanting to re-light the Menorah, they searched the entire Temple, but found only one jar of pure oil bearing the seal of the High Priest. That small jar of oil miraculously burned for eight days straight, until a new supply of oil could be brought.


To publicize this historic victory and the miracle of the oil, Jews today observe a “Festival of Lights” for eight days – lighting a menorah for eight nights.


Lighting Instructions
A menorah is lit in every household, and also in the synagogue. In Ashkenazi tradition, each person lights his own menorah. Sefardi tradition has just one menorah per family.


What Menorah to Light
To publicize which night of Chanukah it is, all eight candles on the menorah should be at the same height – and preferably in a straight line. Otherwise, the candles may not be easily distinguishable and may appear like a big torch.


In addition to the eight main lights, the menorah has an extra helper candle called the "Shamash." Since the Shamash does not count as one of the eight regular lights, your menorah should have the Shamash set apart in some way – either placed higher than the other candles, or off to the side.


See some tips on menorah safety.


What Candles to Light
The candles must burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall. (Those famous colored candles barely qualify.) Many Jewish bookstores sell longer colored candles.


Actually, it is preferable to light with olive oil, since the miracle of the Maccabees occurred with olive oil. Small glass cups containing oil can be placed in the candle holders of any standard menorah. You can also purchase a box of pre-measured oil in disposable cups.


See more detailed instructions for what type of menorah, oil and wicks.


Where to Light
To best publicize the miracle, the menorah is ideally lit outside the doorway of your house, on the left side when entering. (The mezuzah is on the right side; in this way we are "surrounded by mitzvot.") If this is not practical, the menorah should be lit in a window facing the public thoroughfare.


One who lives on an upper floor should light in a window. If for some reason the menorah cannot be lit by a window, it may be lit inside the house on a table; this at least "publicizes the miracle" for the members of the household.


Since the mitzvah occurs at the actual moment of lighting, moving the menorah to a proper place after lighting does not fulfill the mitzvah.


See more detailed instructions for where to light the menorah.


When to Light
The preferable time to light the menorah is at nightfall. It is best to light in the presence of many people, to "publicize the miracle" and add to the family atmosphere. The menorah can still be lit (with the blessings) late into the night, as long as people are still awake.


The menorah should remain lit for at least 30 minutes after nightfall. As we are forbidden to use the Chanukah lights for any purpose other than "viewing," during those 30 minutes no use should be made of its light.


On Friday afternoon, the menorah should be lit 18 minutes before sundown. And since the menorah needs to burn for 30 minutes into the night, the candles used on Friday need to be bigger than the regular "colored candles" (which typically don't burn longer than a half-hour).


See more detailed instructions for lighting on Friday afternoon, and special guidelines for travelers and guests.


How to Light
See this simple, animated guide on how to light Hanukkah candles.


On the first night, place one candle at the far right, as you face the menorah. Another candle is placed for the Shamash (taller helper candle) which is used to light the others. It is not counted as one of the candles.


Step-1: Light the Shamash
Step-2: Recite the blessings
Step-3: Use the Shamash to light the Chanukah candle.


On the second night, place two candles in the two far-right positions –and use the Shamash to light them in order, from left to right. Follow this same procedure each night of Chanukah... until all the lights are kindled and glowing brightly!


The Blessings
Watch animation of how to light the Menorah
Listen to the blessings for lighting the Menorah
Print formatted text of the blessings
The first two blessings are said with the Shamash already lit, but immediately prior to lighting the Chanukah candles.


Blessing #1




Baruch ata Ado-noi Elo-heinu melech ha-olam, Asher kid-shanu bi-mitzvo-sav, Vi-tzee-vanu li-had-leek ner shel Chanukah.


Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.


Blessing #2




Baruch ata Ado-noi Elo-heinu melech ha-olam, Shi-asa nee-seem la-avo-seinu, Baya-meem ha-haim baz-man ha-zeh.


Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe, Who made miracles for our forefathers, in those days at this season.


Blessing #3
This blessing is said on the first night only.


Baruch ata Ado-noi Elo-heinu melech ha-olam, Sheh-he-che-yanu vi-kee-yimanu Vi-hee-gee-yanu laz-man ha-zeh.


Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.


The following paragraph is said each night, after the first light has been kindled:


We kindle these lights for the miracles and the wonders, for the redemption and the battles which You performed for our forefathers in those days at this season through Your holy priests. During all eight days of Chanukah these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make ordinary use of them, but only to look at them — in order to express thanks and praise to Your great Name, for your miracles, Your wonders, and Your salvation.


Ha-nerot ha-lalu anach-nu mad-likin Al ha-nissim vi-al hanif-laot Al ha-tshu-ot vi-al ha-milchamot She-asita la'avo-teinu Ba-yamim ha-heim, ba-zman ha-zeh Al ye-dey kohan-echa haki-doshim.


Vi-chol shmonat ye-mey Chanukah Ha-nerot ha-lalu kodesh heim, Ve-ein lanu reshut li-heesh-tamesh ba-hem Ela leer-otam bilvad Kedai le-hodot u-li-hallel li-shimcha Al ni-secha vi-al niflo-techa vi-al yeshua-techa.


How to Celebrate
Hanukkah is a favorite family time. For a great Hanukkah Party, start by lighting the menorah. Then enjoy these time-honored customs:


Songs
Families enjoy sitting in the glow of the menorah, having a Hanukkah sing-a-long of favorite tunes. The first song traditionally sung after lighting the candles is “Maoz Tzur” (Rock of Ages).


Dreidel
We spin the dreidel, a four-sided top with a Hebrew letter on each side (sivivon in Hebrew). We play the dreidel game (infographic), which has deeper meaning and invites "inspiration from above.”


Food
On Hanukkah, in commemoration of the miracle of the oil, we eat foods cooked with olive oil. Enjoy these fried potato pancake (latke) recipes, or incredible gourmet latkes, using these four steps to the perfect latke. (Don't forget the apple sauce and sour cream!) For the Israeli version of "oily food," use this "how-to" guide for great homemade doughnuts (sufganiyot).


Gifts
On Hanukkah, many have the custom to share gifts, giving Hanukkah "gelt" (money or foil-covered chocolate coins) to children. Meaningful options are Hanukkah gifts for husbands, for wives, and for children. (Hint: "less presents, more presence.")


Prayers
During Hanukkah, a special paragraph describing the Chanukah miracle – “Al Hanisim” – is added to the Amidah prayer, and also to Grace After Meals. The “Hallel” prayer is said daily.


Children
Try these fun family ideas for Hanukkah, including a Hanukkah coloring book, illustrated Hanukkah stories for kids (also here), and an animated poem for all ages, "Twas the Night before Hanukkah.”


Message for Today
While the ancient Greeks enlightened the world with art, philosophy and science, they limited the human condition to the physical and intellectual realms. The spiritual component, indispensable to the Jewish worldview, was not part of the Greek worldview; thus our tradition associates the Greeks with forces of darkness.


The holiday of Hanukkah, established to commemorate the Jewish battle against cultural assimilation, has great relevance today, as we again confront a struggle for Jewish survival. Indeed, the emphasis on external appearance is a prominent theme in modern society.


Over the centuries, the message of how Hanukkah has unexpectedly ignited the Jewish spark. Read these true stories from: Bergen Belsen, Nazi-occupied France, the Soviet Gulag, a Grateful Dead concert, a fraternity party, the crime-ridden streets of Seattle, and a lonely Jewish soldier in Iraq.


Hanukkah often coincides with another holiday season, leaving Jews in Christian-majority countries to grapple with the meaning of being Jewish. Check out these incredible true stories of: a teenager at a Canadian ski resort, the daughter of Saturday Review editor Norman Cousins, the child of a Holocaust survivor, Israel-born actress Natalie Portman, and Jews facing this quandary in a town in Iowa, backpacking across Europe, at a ski resort, and amidst a blackout in New York.


Enjoy these Hanukkah video messages by your favorite speakers including:
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Charlie Harary: A little light pushes away a lot of darkness.
Lori Palatnik: The best Hanukkah gift for children is to be a role model for Jewish values.
Rabbi Eitiel Goldwicht: How to rise above society’s emphasis on externalities and attain genuine self-esteem.
Rabbi Tzvi Sytner: Ignite your soul, using the power of the menorah’s flame.
See Also
Watch a fascinating "Crash Course" on the history and meaning of Hanukkah.
The Hebrew word Hanukkah has multiple meanings (dedication, education, and beginning), as well as deep kabbalistic meaning.
The holiday of Hanukkah has a special "feminine power," and Yehudit was a main Hanukkah hero.
The military and spiritual victory provides lessons in self-discovery, and the number 8 has deep spiritual significance.
Visitors to Israel today can see many amazing Hanukkah artifacts – coins, oil lamps, and stone mansions.
Enjoy Aish.com's viral video, "Hanukkah: Rock of Ages," a medley of pop music parodies, and this music video from Shtar.
Test your knowledge with this fun Hanukkah quiz.
Enjoy eight surprising lessons from the laws of Hanukkah.
Check out this Hanukkah infographic
Happy Hanukkah – Chanukah!




Hanukkah is observed for eight days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar. In 2019, Hanukkah begins Sunday evening December 22.


On each of these eight evenings, we light a menorah to commemorate the miraculous Jewish victory 2,000 years ago. We enjoy customs including songs, oily foods, and dreidel games.
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Contents
History
Lighting Instructions
What Menorah to Light
What Candles to Light
Where to Light
When to Light
How to Light
The Blessings
Blessing #1
Blessing #2
Blessing #3
How to Celebrate
Songs
Dreidel
Food
Gifts
Prayers
Children
Message for Today




https://www.aish.com/ci/s/Its-Time-to-be-a-Maccabee.html?s=mm
The Hanukkah battle isn't over.


Close your eyes and picture it: Greek soldiers, more than the eye can count, marching towards Jerusalem. They easily take Jerusalem and the entire land of Israel and impose harsh rules and decrees. They prohibit Torah study, keeping Shabbat, and interfere with many Jewish laws and customs, and even bring idols into the Holy Temple.


Your family, a family of priests, are very unhappy about these developments, but are unwilling to take on the mighty Greek Empire. You move to the quiet town of Modiin, hoping to practice our religion without any interference.


Unfortunately, that hope isn’t realized. The Greeks come to Modiin, round up all the Jews in the town, and make them watch a swine being offered to Zeus. Then you see something shocking, Jews are encouraged to participate – and some do. You see no alternative; you grab your sword and you and your family successfully defeat this small group of Greek soldiers. It is just the beginning of a long battle, but God is with you, and you are able to miraculously defeat the Greek Empire.


Close your eyes and picture it: You’re on campus and student activists, more than the eye can count, are demonstrating against Israel. You are unhappy but unwilling to take on this vile group. Almost everything they say is untrue, and whatever is true is twisted to be intentionally misleading. You know that Israel isn’t an occupying power, and sincerely wants peace, and that it is the other side that is violently opposed to peace even when offered 95% of the land they seek. You remember how Israel pulled out of Gaza without any conditions, only to be rewarded with thousands of rockets fired at her. You know the pro-Palestine activists have aligned with the other social justice groups, and that opposing, or even questioning them will be very unpopular.


But then you see something shocking – other Jews on campus believing the rhetoric of the Palestinian activists and are supporting them joining the fight against Israel. You see no alternative, you grab your pen and you write a passionate and truthful article for your college paper and successfully hold off a group of activists. It is just the beginning, but God is with you, and in time you hope to defeat the lies and hate.


Close your eyes and picture it: People, more than the eye can count, are marching toward you. Some head towards Paris, and Pittsburgh and Poway, others head to Brooklyn, Monsey and now even to Jersey City. You know their cause is not just but you prefer not to take on this mighty group of Jew-haters. But you see it has gone too far, there are more violent attacks against Jews in the United States than ever before. A Jew cannot safely walk down the street in many European cities.

The Hanukkah battle isn't over yet. Find your inner Maccabee and grab your Siddur and your pen. Raise your voice in prayer and protest. It is just the beginning, but God is with you, and in time you will prevail.

https://www.aish.com/h/c/s/h/The-Rock-from-Dachau.html?s=mm
The Rock from Dachau
Dec 29, 2019  |  by Rabbi Michoel Green
The Rock from Dachau
When you light your menorah, you’re never alone.

Lighting the menorah on Shrewsbury Town Common is no easy task, but I've done it nearly every night of Hanukkah for the past 17 years. The first night's lighting is always well-attended, since we invite the community to participate.

People often come to assist me or just watch while I light the kerosene lamps. Sometimes it's just me. Today was one of those times. Or so I thought.

Rabbi Green setting up Menorah

As I finished kindling the lights, I alighted from the ladder and began to head back to my van when a man came over to greet me.

"Are you the rabbi who lights this menorah every day?" he asked.

"Yup, that's me," I replied.

"Thank you for doing this," he said. "I'm not Jewish, but I really appreciate this. May I give you something as a token of appreciation? Please wait here for a minute." He ran to his car parked nearby and returned with a small clear-lucite box that contained a small rock glued to a miniature pedestal.

"This rock is from Dachau," he explained. "My grandfather helped liberate it in 1945. I went there several years ago to see it for myself. Please accept this rock as a keepsake. We want people to have them so that no one ever forget what happened there."

The rock from DachauThe rock from Dachau
After a brief conversation, I was surprised to learn that his 95-year-old grandfather and namesake, R.F. Gouley, a veteran of the U.S. Seventh Army’s 45th Infantry Division, is alive and well, and still living here in town. I asked if his grandfather might be willing to speak to groups about his experiences. He replied that his grandfather cannot speak about the horrors he witnessed, so a mere rock from the concentration camp would have to suffice.

After the obligatory selfie, he thanked me again for lighting the menorah in town, and I thanked him for teaching people about his grandfather's experiences. More importantly, I asked him to convey my deepest gratitude to his grandfather for liberating my fellow Jews who survived the horrors of the first Nazi concentration camp.

Mr. Gouley and meMr. Gouley and me
As I returned to my van clutching a rock from Dachau in one hand and my menorah lighter in the other, I couldn't help but consider the significance of this fortuitous encounter.

I felt as though the souls of the kedoshim, the holy martyrs murdered at Dachau sent me a greeting. The rock that witnessed untold horrors and darkest crimes against our people needed to bear witness to the light of our nine-foot menorah proudly illuminating the Town Common of Shrewsbury, MA. From darkness to light.

No, I'm not alone when I light the menorah. Even in snow, sleet, or subzero temperatures. It's never just me.

I am accompanied by all my ancestors from the Maccabees until modern times.

I am joined by the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe (R' Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson) who fearlessly fought to preserve Judaism in the dark days of Stalinist Russia.

I am accompanied by my Rebbe, Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the faithful shepherd of world Jewry who rekindled the menorah of our people from the embers of the Holocaust.

And I am accompanied by holy Jews throughout history who lit the menorah with mesiras nefesh, personal self-sacrifice, heroes and heroines who fought to live as Jews, and who died for being a Jew. They are all with me.

Menorah lighting
These kerosene lamps that I faithfully kindle each night are no mere "festive lights." They bear testimony to the Rock of Ages. Let that rock from Dachau witness the Rock of our Salvation, Maoz tzur y'shuati.

That's why our light is unstoppable.

That's why our light will ultimately succeed in illuminating the world, in transforming darkness to light.

When you light your menorah, it's not just you. You are not alone.

You are part of something awesome and invincible. You are a modern-day Maccabee.

Your light will prevail.
Happy Hanukkah. Spread the light.