Menorah: Illuminating the Home
Question regarding Chanukah-gelt and children lighting the Menorah; the unique segula of Chanukah lights to brighten the home physically and spiritually
By the Grace of G-d
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Rosh Chodesh, Teves, 5734. Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr. & Mrs. ...
Minneapolis, Minn. 55416
Greeting and Blessing:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter.
Inasmuch as it was received on Chanukah, may G-d grant that you should enjoy a growing measure of brightness in all your affairs, both materially and spiritually, in the spirit of the Chanukah Lights which we kindle in growing numbers from day to day.
With blessing,
M. Schneerson
P.S. Mailing of the letter was delayed. Meantime answer to your letter was conveyed to you by phone through Rabbi Hodakov. He also related to me your answers to my questions re Chanukah-gelt and lighting the Candles by the children. As explained during Chanukah Farbreng, and partly in the special letters, the lighting of the Chanukah Lights has a special Segula in that they light up the home with the light of Torah and Mitzvoth, and also in the plain sense of making the home brighter in terms of health, material aspects, inner peace, harmony, etc., the effects of which continue throughout the year.
Source: Photocopy of the original, courtesy of the recipient’s family.
During Kislev of 5734, shortly following the Yom Kippur War, the Rebbe launched the “Chanukah Campaign”, encouraging everyone to publicize the message of Chanukah and to see to it that all Jews be given the opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah of lighting the menorah, including children as well. During farbrengens of the time, the Rebbe explained the significance of the campaign and its purpose. See sichos of Shabbos parshas Vayeishev (Sichos Kodesh 5734, vol. 1, p. 195 ff.; Toras Menachem, vol. 74, p. 341 ff.) and Shabbos parshas Mikeitz (Sichos Kodesh 5734, vol. 1, p. 204 ff.; Toras Menachem, vol. 74, p. 348 ff.)
In connection with the Chanukah campaign the Rebbe also penned two circular letters. The first, dated Erev Chanukah, was addressed to “To Each and All of the Boys, and Each and All of the Girls, of pre-Bar (Bas) Mitzvah Age, Everywhere”. The second, dated the 5th Light of Chanukah, was addressed to “To the Sons and Daughters of Our People Israel, Everywhere” (available on the Rebbe Responsa app).
