This idea is realized as the Torah describes and unveils the dreams of Yoseph. They involved the future lives of his family and for, which we may even suggest, the future of Am Yisrael. For Yoseph, these Dreams were not mere fantasy and mythical, but were true prognosticators of what we are experiencing in our modern era.
The revelation of dreams into reality seems to be a reflection of the entire story of Chanukah. Yoseph was concerned about the dynamics of his family and he made serious plans to assure their survival and safety.
We see this to be true as we celebrate the Holiday of Chanukah. The main directive and Halacha of Chanukah is נר איש וביתו which dramatically stresses the importance of family and the role of what the home plays in nurturing all those who are part of that household. We, then, begin to realize that though we are commemorating the lighting of the Menorah in the Beit Hamikdash and even though logic would dictate that the remembrance and observance should be in the Synagogue, the true observance actually takes place in the home. Yiddishkeit realizes, more and more, especially, in our time, that the true Mikdash M'at is our home.
As we light the Menorah at our windows to publicize the miracle, we are sending an important message to the world; "Know well that Judaism is alive and vibrant and the proof of this revivalism is the Sanctity of our Homes and the fulfillment of Shalom Bayit, which is realized with the cohesiveness of the family."
We light the candles in our homes and say, הנרות הללו קודש הם "These candles are holy" to emphasize, in a like manner, that our homes are, equally, holy ואין לנו רשות להשתמש בהם, "We must not, in any way, defile or upset the Kedusha that permeates the heart that keeps our homes Holy’
It is interesting to note that the Seleucids, the Greeks in the time of the Chasmonaim wanted to destroy the Jewish Spirit and therefore prohibited the Jewish People from observing three Mitzvot; the observance of Shabbat; denying the fulfillment of the Mitzvah of Brit Melah; the observance of Rosh Chodesh. One wonders why these three and not any others?
I sense that the observance of Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh is the fulfillment of קדושת הזמן the Sanctification of Time and Melah is a reflection of קדושת הגוף the Sanctification of one’s physical being.
I sense that the observance of Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh is the fulfillment of קדושת הזמן the Sanctification of Time and Melah is a reflection of קדושת הגוף the Sanctification of one’s physical being.
As long as we maintain our Holiness of Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh, which represents our קדושת זמן our daily life of Kedushah and we continue to adhere to the Mitzvos of טהרת המשפחה which affects our physical beings,our קדושת הגוף, then there is no force on earth that can destroy our essence and our existence. With these two components and values we as a nation of G-D, can exuberantly sing out עם ישראל חי.
This permits us to understand why we observe the Chanukah celebration is in our homes, for it is here that we truly maintain our קדושת הגוף והקדושת זמן. .
This permits us to understand why we observe the Chanukah celebration is in our homes, for it is here that we truly maintain our קדושת הגוף והקדושת זמן. .
So let us continue to Dream. To Dream of a more sanctified way of life, with the fulfillment of Ner Ish U’beiso, wherein our homes continue to be replete with greater Kedushat Hazman and Kedushat Haguf.
When you light the menorah this year, remember that the illumination and warmth happens inside YOU and, then spreads to your home and family, and goes on to light up the world. This Chanukah, let us celebrate our commitment to personal development and inner growth.
Wishing you and your family a Freilichan and Inspired Chanukah
שבת שלום וחג שמח
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