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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Hanukkah
- Reflections on Chanukka
Does it revolve around the miracle of the oil lasting for 8 days instead of just 1? After all, that is what the Gemara in Shabbat answers to the question "Mye Chanuka, what is Chanuka?" And the fact that the rabbis instituted the lighting of a Chanukiya each night - with a bracha that pointedly refers to it as a Mitzva, on a par with a Biblical commandment – seems to reinforce that view.
But then, why is this miracle not referenced at all in the Al HaNisim prayer that we recite in honor of Chanuka both in the Amida & the Birkat HaMazon? All we speak about there, in a fairly long paragraph, is the military victory of the Maccabim over the Greeks, the "many delivered into the hands of the few?" Why no mention of the oil?
Let us, in our usual fashion, answer this by asking another question: What exactly did the Kohanim do when they discovered that 1 pure, un-defiled jar of oil? Did they put all the oil in the Menora, the Ner Tamid, & light it; or did they divide the oil into 8 portions & light that 1/8th each night, knowing it would take 8 days to get new oil?
Most opinions hold that the oil was indeed divided into smaller amounts. The reasoning behind this was that it was necessary for us to do something each night towards fulfilling the Mitzva, even if it fell short of perfect. For once we contributed & did our share, we could turn to Hashem & ask Him to do His share. Similarly, Elisha the Prophet told the poor widow of Ovadia to bring her small jar of oil & keep pouring it into numerous vessels in order to generate a large amount of oil. She, too, had to begin the process of the miracle, so that G-d could complete it.
There is a partnership between ourselves & Hashem; when we want to create miracles we must "join forces" & work together. This was the secret to both the miracle of the oil as well as the victory over the Greeks. Both were miraculous events, the war no less than the oil. We were heavily outnumbered – the Midrash even says - obviously exaggerating! - that we faced no less than 10 million enemy soldiers. But we fought nevertheless, & prevailed.
So in the 2 books we use regularly, the Gemara & the Siddur, this point is doubly emphasized, to drive it home. Do you want your field to blossom? Then plant! Do you want your funds to grow? Invest them! Do you want your children to learn? Then teach them! Ultimately, Hashem’s bracha will seal the deal, but only after we do our fair share as well. G-d, as you’ve heard, helps those…
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
