Chag Urim Sameach!

Happy Chanukah Mishpacha!

Why do we observe holidays like Chanukah?

The Jewish holy days are based on actual events. They commemorate events that took place a long time ago. One of our newest holidays, Chanukah, is a thanksgiving observance from the Second Century BCE.

I assume you are all familiar with the basic story of Chanukah. The eight-day Jewish celebration commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Jerusalem Temple in the second century BCE. As presented in the Books of the Maccabees and additional Rabbinic tradition, the Jews rose against their Greecko-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Chanukah, which means “ dedication ” in Hebrew, begins each year on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, which is usually in November or December according to the lunar calendar. The festival, or “ chag ” in Hebrew, is also called the Festival of Lights. For this reason, Sephardic Jews often say Chag Urim Sameach, referencing the aspect of the Holy Light associated with the observance. Chanukah is celebrated with the lighting of the Chanukiah-style menorah, eating traditional foods, playing games like the dreidel, and exchanging modest gifts each night.

The deeper significance of the Light of Chanukah should also be understood by those who give thanks to HaShem through this holy day.

Rebbe, Nachman of Breslov, reveals some of these deeper insights in his magnum opus, Likutey Moharan, Book 2, 2.1. There, we learn Chanukah is a time of thanksgiving and joy. But he goes further. What joy can we take from events that took place roughly 2,220 years ago? The Great Rebbe explains we should not limit the joy of Chanukah to the past! Indeed, its primary blessings are yet to come.

Our Chanukah thanksgiving is, in truth, the delight of the World to Come, the Olam Haba, more than happened in the past! We can catch a taste of this future joy even now, during these dark days of the Olam Hazeh or present world order. The Tanach assures us that in the Days of HaMashiach, the Torah will be written on our hearts, into our very consciousnesses, as said in Jeremiah 31:33.

Through the study and practice of biblical law, custom, and tradition, we can attach ourselves to the Mind of God! Can you imagine this! The Written Torah can bring us to such a blessed of devekut and enlightenment, which is the reality of Olam Haba.

Indeed, the Rabbinic sages teach at places like Nidah 73a that everyone who studies these holy truths with gratitude and joy has a definite share in the ‘World to Come’ without a doubt.

Someone may argue, “ But Judaism is a Path of doing, not of “ beliefs. ” We even hear some rabbis say that a Jew can even be an Atheist and yet be counted as righteous if he “ does ” the mitzvot. Yet our Written Torah is clear as to the fallacy of this common modern view. God looks at the heart, the consciousness, not external actions alone.

Consider that under the Written Torah, animal sacrifices were stressed, but as we made our way through the Tanach period, we came to understand that the sacrifices were never the point. The desire of HaShem has always been the consciousness, the heart, the intention, not external rote observances. HaShem is clear on this:

" I hate, I despise your feasts, and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Yea, though you offer me burnt offerings and your meal offerings, I will not accept them, neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take away from me the noise of your songs! Let Me not hear the melody of your psalteries. Rather, let justice well up as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream (Amos 5:21-4).

And again:

"I did not speak to your fathers, nor did I command them on the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, about burnt offerings or sacrifices! This thing I commanded them, saying, " Obey My voice! Then I will be your God, and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I have commanded you, that it may be well with you." (Jeremiah 7:22-23)

The same is confirmed at Micah chapter 6, at Pesikta d'Rav Kahana 163b in that Talmud, and so many other places.

Do not be deceived friends. Yes, the “ doing of the Written Torah ” is essential, but more important still is the sacrifice of the mind, of the consciousness before HaShem! It is not about blood sacrifices or rote observances. It never has been. Emunah (faith) and the Light of HaShem is what matters! Attachment to HaShem, to the One True and Living God, is the Mystery and Majesty of Chanukah, not the kindling of the Chanukiah. That’s just a symbol, a reminder. This understanding is confirmed at Leviticus Rabbah 9:7 in the Talmud:

All sacrifices, except the thanksgiving offerings, will be abolished once Mashiach ben David is ruling. (p>

[This is confirmed at Likutey Moharan Book II, 2:1-2b

Chanukah, then is a time of thanksgiving for the past, but more importantly for the future. As the World Government of " the One Like Haman " rises, we must rise and Stand for the Truth! The Miracle of Chanukah is the Promise of Consolation that even in the darkest days, the One is with us and will intervene when He chooses for the implementation of righteousness and Truth. As we await the arrival of the Total Light of Truth, we do so with emunah (faith) and bitachon (trust) in the Creator Who is with the Remnant.

As the Rabbis say:

Sanhedrin Folio 97a Thus has Rabbi Yohanan said: in the generation when the son of David [i.e. Messiah] will come, scholars will be few, and as for the rest, their eyes will fail through sorrow and grief. Multitudes of trouble and evil decrees will be promulgated anew, each new evil coming with haste before the other has ended.'

Sanhedrin 97b: Rab replied: All the predestined dates [for redemption] have passed, and the matter [now] depends only on repentance and good deeds.
To which Rabbi Eliezer agreed: if Israel repents, they will be redeemed; if not, they will not be redeemed.
But Rabbi Joshua disagreed and said that if they do not repent, they will not be redeemed? Not so! Because the Holy One, blessed be He, will set up a king over them, whose decrees shall be as cruel as Haman's, whereby Israel shall engage in repentance, and he will thus bring them back to the right path.

As the Psalmist said:

Psalm 82:6 I have said, You are Elohim, all you Children of the most High! 7 But you are dying like mortals, and falling like princes. 8 Arise, you Elohim! Judge the earth: for you will inherit all nations.

Have emunah, Mishpacha, and STAND in the LIGHT of One God for THIS is the true message of Chanukah!

Chag Urim Sameach!

*© Rabbi Shlomo Nachman, December 11, 2020, updated December 21, 2024

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