As we prepare for the holiday of Chanukah, I would share with you an interesting experience I had with a mother I met in Best Buy. She seemed to be bewildered and somewhat in a turmoil. I asked, “What are you so troubled about?” To which she replied, “Rabbi, I am sure you realize that next week is Chanukah, and I still have not purchased any gifts for the children.” As I walked away from her I began to realize what a change of events has taken hold of our Holidays. The essence of Chanukahseems to have been lost - It's all about presents. I am not denying the importance of the exchange of gifts. I am bewildered when that becomes the Eikar, and the true meaning of Chanukah becomes the Tofel.
I remember telling a father when he asked, “What would be a good gift for my son.” I replied, knowing his way of life, “How about a gift of "time" to be spent with your son on a daily basis.” That is, truly, a Chanukahcelebration.
Chanukah fascinates me from different points of view. It all started when I began to study the Gemorah Shabbos,and when it speaks of Chanukah. The Gemorah begins with the question, חנוכה מאי What is Chanukah and why is it celebrated?” This seems to be an obvious question and interesting, is it not, that such a question is not posed for any other holiday. I wonder why?.
Chanukah celebration always seems to bring to mind the words of Harav Kook, with reverence - words that are so important for our day and age and need to be repeated for all to hear, "If you desire, as a human being, look at the light of G-D's Presence in everything. Look at the Eden of Spiritual Life - how it blazes into each corner and crevice of life in this world, right before your eyes of flesh and your eyes of soul.”
Gaze at the wonders of creation, at their divine life, not like some dim phenomenon that is placed before your eyes from afar - but know the reality in which you live.
“Know yourself and your world.
Know the thoughts of your heart and of all who speak and think.
Find the source of life inside you, higher than you, around you.
Find the love within you, lift it up for all to gaze upon and spread it for all to enjoy".
What magnificent words. Only Rav Kook can bring them into reality for a message of inspiration for our times, especially as we prepare to light the glowing flickers of Chanukah for all to see and for all to be inspired.
We still suffer, emotionally, as an after affect of the terrible tragedy that took place in the synagogue in Pittsburgh. Our hearts are pained as we realize more and more, that we live in a difficult and often frightening world where hatred and anti-semitism seems to be more prevalent than any other time of our existence.
It is with these thoughts in mind I am reminded of a Mishna in Midos which speaks of our הר הבית.
The Mishna states, "Within the walls of the Temple Mount there was a partition the "Soreg". The Greek army, when they entered, destroyed this fence in 13 places. When the Chashmonaim rededicated the Temple, they restored this "Soreg", this partition, to its original form and offered 13 prayers of thanksgiving to Hashem.”
Please understand that this "Soreg" was not a massive stone wall, it was merely a picket fence made of wood and interwoven fiber. You may ask, "Why was it so important for the Greeks to intentionally seek to destroy it?"
Let us review the history of yesteryear; During the years when there was peace in Israel many visitors used to come to Yerushalayim from many different countries. They were especially attracted to the בית המקדשincluding the Syrians and the Greeks. The further they went into the Temple Mount the more their curiosity was aroused and when they reached the "Soreg" they were told that they were not allowed to go beyond this point due to their anti-Jewish and anti Torah oriented way of life.
When Antiochus and his hordes invaded, and defamed the Holy Temple, the first thing they did was to destroy the "Soreg", the wall of separation between Judaism and Hedonism. They smashed it with a great sense of anger and wrath to tell the Jew he is no different than who they were and no longer will they be allowed to lead lives different then everyone else.
When, at last, the miracle of all miracles took place and the Maccabbees won their victory and gained their religious freedom. Once again, they rededicated the Mikdash, but specifically restored the "Soreg" and decreed a special service of 13 expressions of Thanksgiving to Hashem. In doing so, they restored the line of demarcation between Judaism and Hedonism.
This is our lesson of Chanukah. We must, once again, erect a "Soreg", a life that emphasis that Judaism is not like others. We will fight with all of our spiritual energy, to live a life of Halacha and Mitzvos and not to succumb to those who want us to assimilate into the world of the majority.
Yes, in many ways, we may be the same as others, but when it comes to our Judaic Way of Life we will not permit ourselves and our families to forfeit our heritage, merely to be accepted by others.
The place to begin is in our homes. That is why the true observance of Chanukah is to light the Menorah in our homes נר איש וביתו. A light of Torah, a light of love and a light of spiritual warmth that comes from greater family involvement.
When we begin the holiday of Chanukah we ask, "מאי חנוכה, What is this Holiday all about?"
When experiencing the great miraculous intervention of G-D and lighting the Menorah we can conclude the holiday with זאת חנוכה. This is what Chanukah is. It is fighting any force that wishes to upset our traditional way of life. Let these forces of assimilation recognize the immense pride that we feel as Observant Jews and the Blessing that comes with living a true Jewish way of life.
Let the world recognize that we are אור לגוים. A light among the nations of the world.
Today more than ever we must live the words of Zechariah, the Navi:
לא בחיל ולא בכוח כי אם ברוחי אמר ה'
A "Freilichin Chanukah" to all.
No comments:
Post a Comment