Becoming a Child of Hashem:
Sefer Kedushas Mordechai (Lelov) quotes Rav Dovid of Tolna zy”a as describing the holiness of this day by citing the pasuk that says (Bamidbor 7:15): “On the eighth day, the Nasi of the children of Menashe was Gamliel ben Pedatzhor.” He explains as follows:
“On the eighth day” – this refers to the last day of Chanukah. “Nasi” – this day is uplifted and lofty. “For the children of Menashe” – for the people who forgot about their Father in Heaven. (The word “Menashe” connotes “forgetting”, as in Bereishis 41:51.) “Gamliel” – on this day, these people can say “Gam li Keil”, I also have a G-d! “Ben” – and everyone become like a son to Hashem. “Pedatzhor” – Hashem, who is called “tzur” (the Rock) redeems us (padah) on this day and allows us to be His children.
Wake up From Your Slumber:
Rav Shmuel Zelichover zt”l hy”d knew the entire Torah, and he would spend his days standing next to a window and reviewing his learning by heart for hours on end. One of his students related that on the day of Zos Chanukah 5700 (1940), he saw Rav Shmuel standing and learning, and he noticed that he looked very tired. He suggested that he should take a short nap but Rav Shmuel simply replied, “It is Zos Chanukah. This day only comes once a year and it would be a shame to waste it in bed!”
