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the chanukah connection

Chanukah is about pure and impure vessels. The essential miracle of Chanukah was centered on the discovery of one pure vessel of oil used to rekindle the menorah extinguished by the Greeks when they invaded the Second Temple. Amidst all the defiled vessels, the Priests, the Hasmonean Kohanim found one small vessel with the seal of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, containing enough pure oil for only a single day. The menorah lights were kept burning constantly in the Temple, since their light was one of the signs of our connection with God. So when the lights were extinguished, it was urgent to rekindle them as soon as possible and rededicate the Temple to the service of God. The problem, however, was that it was an eight-day process to manufacture new pure oil. The Hasmonean Kohanim faced a dilemma: Should they light the menorah immediately or wait until enough pure oil could be made to ensure a continual flame? The decided to light the menorah without delay, out of their intense desire to reestablish the connection with God. God also desired the connection and responded with a miracle: Oil that should have been used up after one day continued to burn for eight full days until a fresh stock of pure oil could be produced.

Although the Temple menorah had seven lights, we celebrate Chanukah every year by lighting an eight-light menorah to publicize the miracle. On a higher level, the oil of the Chanukah lights hints to knowledge and wisdom. The Temple vessels were defiled through the idolatry of the Greeks. On a deeper level, the impure vessels indicated that the Jewish mind had become blemished by heretical Greek ideas, leading to confusion about the true purpose of life.

The Greeks believed that the world ran autonomously, according to the laws of nature. They also believed that man was independent of God, and maintained that human reason was the highest expression of wisdom and knowledge. This is contrary to the Jewish belief in one God whose presence permeates the entire universe, personally supervising every detail of our lives. The true purpose of life is to come to a knowledge of God through everything we do. This is a purpose which is based on faith and transcends human reason.

Just as the Hasmonean Kohanim renewed our connection with God during the Second Temple, we also affirm our bond to God each year by lighting the menorah. Through binding our thoughts to Him during Chanukah, we purify our vessels and remember the true purpose of life.

Source: Otzar HaYirah, Chanukah; TZADDIK Magazine archive, Chanukah 5760 / 1999

a practical guide to chanukah

PREPARE YOURSELF BEFORE CHANUKAH BEGINS

Rebbe Nachman says, "Any holy task requires preparation." It is a good idea to review , in advance, the laws of Chanukah in order to be prepared to kindle the lights of the menorah on time and in the proper way. The following are a few suggested English resources for the laws of Chanukah: Code of Jewish Law (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch), translated by Ganzfried-Goldin; Halachos of Chanukah by Rabbi Shimon Eider, a comprehensive booklet on the laws of Chanukah; and The Book of Our Heritage by Eliyahu Kitov, a three-volume set that provides an excellent overview to the holidays and laws pertaining to each month in the Jewish calendar. Any questions in need of clarification should be addressed to your local Orthodox Rabbi.

USE OLIVE OIL

Although any other oil or candles are also permissible, the preferred way to perform the mitzvah is to kindle the Chanukah lights with pure olive oil and cotton wicks. It is also a reminder of the miracle of Chanukah, which actually involved olive oil. On a spiritual level, oil is an allusion to the mind. Through the mitzvah of kindling the Chanukah lights, we draw upon ourselves Daat, i.e., awareness of God. (Likutey Eitzot; Chanukah 2)

LIGHT THE CHANUKAH MENORAH SIMPLY

Sometimes it is possible to be so overly concerned about inessential details when lighting the Chanukah menorah that one may miss the proper time for lighting and not fulfill the mitzvah in the correct manner. Some may be distracted by extra prayers they would like to say, others may be thinking about latkes, gifts, or Chanukah gelt. The merit of kindling the Chanukah lights properly and on time is a very great thing. (HaRav Elazar M. Kenig)

GAZE AT THE CHANUKAH LIGHTS

Pull up a chair and spend some time looking at the Chanukah lights. The face of the Tzaddik is compared to a menorah (Likutey Moharan 21). Therefore, just as gazing upon the face of the Tzaddik nullifies bad character traits (Likutey Moharan 4), so too does gazing at the lights of the Chanukah menorah (Rav Ephraim Kenig).

PRAISE AND THANK GOD IN YOUR OWN WORDS

The days of Chanukah are days of praise and thanksgiving (Likutey Tinyana 2). One of the characteristics of the World to Come is that there will be no requests, only praise and thanks to God. The Chanukah lights are a reflection of the light of the World to Come. Therefore, especially during Chanukah, set aside a specific time to make a list of things for which you are thankful and search for the good points in all areas of your life. Then thank and praise God in your own words and experience a taste of the World to Come. If you make a sincere attempt, you'll quickly see that the list is endless!

TZADDIK Magazine archive, Chanukah 5761 / 2000