Chanukah’s light
Parshat Mikeitz always occurs during the holiday of Chanukah. Just as this parsha expresses the manner with which a person can do teshuvah, so too, Chanukah as well expresses the idea of teshuvah.
On Chanukah we increase in light, adding a candle every one of the eight days. In Mishlei, King Shlomo compares Torah and mitzvos to the idea of light.
For a mitzvah is a lamp and the Torah is light; and reproving discipline is the way of life.
Mishlei 6:23
Reproving discipline, which is teshuvah, is a “way of life.” For when a person does teshuvah, they connect with the source of all life—G-d himself.
During the time of Chanukah, the Jews were living in a dark era. The Greeks forbade them from living a Torah way of life, and the Beis Hamikdash was defiled. This oppression brought about the situation where a band of faithful Jews fought to defend the glory of the Almighty G-d.
Just like teshuvah transforms a dark situation into light, so too during Chanukah, the Jewish people brought a new light into the world after the darkness that was brought on by the Greeks.
May we take the strength that Chanukah radiates, ignite this most inner layer of our souls, and through our own free choice, connect to G-d on the deepest of levels in transforming darkness into light!
(Based on Likutei Sichos 30, Mikeitz 2, reworked by Rabbi Dovid Markel. To see other projects and to partner in our work, see: www.Neirot.com.)
