Three practical lessons from Chanukah which shape the work of Chabad Lubavitch
By the Grace of G-d
Rosh Chodesh Kislev, 5736
Brooklyn, N. Y.
To All Participants in the Celebration Dinner of the Lubavitch Foundation in Glasgow, Scotland
Greeting and Blessing:
I was pleased to be informed of the forthcoming event, taking place in the middle of this month of Kislev, which is highlighted by the Festival of Chanukah. This makes the occasion particularly timely and auspicious.
Chanukah commemorates the miraculous victory of our people over the forces of darkness and assimilation that had threatened to extinguish the light of the Torah and Mitzvos. It also reminds us that this victory was achieved through the efforts of a few, but totally dedicated Jews, and that the victory was celebrated by kindling lights in the Sanctuary in Jerusalem with pure, undefiled oil, which gave us the meaningful Mitzva of the Chanukah Lights.
Of the Chanukah Lights our Sages of blessed memory declared; "These lights shall endure and shine forever." Unlike the seven-branched Menorah, the lighting of which had to be discontinued when the Sanctuary was destroyed nearly 2000 years ago, the lighting of the eight-branched Chanukah lamp, which was inaugurated some 200 years prior to the Destruction, continued uninterruptedly ever since, not only in the Holy Land but also in the Diaspora, and not only in the Sanctuary, but in every Jewish home.
What are some of the eternal messages of these eternal lights of Chanukah?
One basic truth is that the destiny of the Jewish people is not determined by material and physical criteria, but by its spiritual strength derived from our G-d given Torah and Mitzvos. The victory of the greatly outnumbered and physically disadvantaged Jews over the many and mighty forces of the enemy clearly demonstrated that it is our spiritual strength that really counts — even in areas where physical superiority is usually decisive.
A further lesson is that Jewish strength begins at home. A Jewish home is an abode for the Divine Presence, very much as the Beth Hamikdosh in Jerusalem was in a collective sense. Both are included in the Divine command, "Make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell within each one of you." This, too, is reflected in the Chanukah Lights, for they must be lit in every Jewish home. The time and location of the Chanukah Lights are also significant: The lights are kindled "when the sun sets" — when "darkness" falls outside, it is high time to light up our homes with the sacred Chanukah lights, symbolizing the eternal light of Torah and Mitzvos. While the location — to be visible also outside — further indicates that the Torah and Mitzvos must not be confined within the walls of the home, but must shine forth also outside.
Yet another important lesson must be mentioned here, namely, that however satisfactory the observance of Torah and Mitzvos may be at any day, a Jew is expected to do better the next day, and still better the day after. There is always room for improvement in matters of goodness and holiness, which are infinite, being derived from THE INFINITE. This, too, is underscored by the Chanukah Lights. For, although all that is required to fulfil the Mitzva of candle-lighting on the first night of Chanukah is to light one candle, yet the next night of Chanukah it is required to light two candles, and when another day passes even the higher standard of the previous day is no longer adequate, and an additional light is called for, and so on, to increase the light from day to day.
The above-mentioned practical lessons which are so basic to Chanukah as to the Jewish way in general, are also the basic principles that pervade all Lubavitch activities to spread the light of Torah-Judaism, particularly through Chinuch, Torah-education.
With the fullest cooperation of the Friends of Lubavitch and all who appreciate the vital need to preserve and perpetuate our sacred Jewish heritage, I am confident with G-d’s help that you will go from strength to strength in kindling ever more lights and torch-bearers, who, in turn, will kindle further lights in an endless “chain reaction” to illuminate the self, the home, the environment, and the world at large.
With esteem and blessing for Hatzlocho and Good Tidings,
Cordially,
M. Schneerson
It Has Never Been Darker
The Mitzvo of Ner Chanukah requires that the lights should be displayed also for the “outside.” The meaning of this, among other things, is to show that no matter how dark it is in the outside world—and never has it been darker than in our time—Jews are not disheartened. On the contrary, by strengthening our adherence to the way of the Torah and Mitzvoth, both at home and outside, and also spreading the eternal values of the Torah in terms of morality and justice which the Torah makes incumbent upon all humanity (the so-called Seven Mitzvos given to the children of Noah, i.e. all mankind), Jews can confidently look forward to the time when the darkness of our Golus, and the darkness of all the world, will soon be totally dispelled, with the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, whose coming we are awaiting every day.
(Kislev, 5741)
