The Energy of Chanukah

Heat is a transformative power. Imagine a block of ice. It seems to be a solid hard mass of substance. Heat it and in a short period of time it will become liquid. Much more malleable than it previously was and able to take on any shape. Heat it even more and it becomes a gas, a very fine substance that can be difficult to grasp.

So much that we come across in life - physical objects, people, spiritual concepts - appear to be one thing, seem to be set as to what they are, and it takes some effort to truly examine them and learn all their myriad fascinating facets. Ironically, the Ancient Greeks, with all their great contributions to human knowledge, suffered greatly from a seeming inability to really delve into many things. Galen taught the world medicine for thousands of years. So much of what he taught was mistaken, almost to the point of wondering how he could have even thought these things up. Had he bothered to even examine a human body below the surface he, and many of his students over the years, could have discovered the errors. But they were satisfied with his postulates and no one, least of all himself, examined properly to see what was going on under the surface. A similar situation resulted from Ptolemy's long-accepted depiction of the Universe.

In their philosophical studies they would only acknowledge that which they could discern with their five senses, there seems to have been an inability to use imagination and to raise themselves to a higher consciousness.

When it comes to Torah study we can find this idea as well. The תורה שבכתב, the Written Torah is there for us in Black on White. It is definite and immutable. However, we also have a תורה שבעל פה, an Oral Law which is the ability and permission to take that which is Black and White and put it through the fires of our mind and discover how it reshapes itself to reveal concepts that were hitherto hidden from us; to use our imagination and souls to discover deeper truths.

This is one of the concepts of the fire of the Chanukah candles. We are told that Chanukah is the holiday of the Oral Law. This is because the transformative fire reminds us not to take the Greek approach of only knowing what our senses clearly demonstrate, and not just accepting things at face value. But to put everything through the crucible of understanding and let our souls raise our understanding even higher. 

Italian Food on Xmas

The Talmud tells us that Eliyahu HaNavi (Elijah the Prophet) was asked where Moshiach could be found. Eliyahu's answer was to look for him in the great metropolis of Rome amongst the lepers.

Moshiach represents the eternal unbreakable spirit of the Jewish people. Rome is frequently invoked by the Sages as a metaphor for Christianity. Perhaps Eliyahu was saying that if you want to find the eternal spirit of the Jewish people still going strong, look to those who have endured centuries of being regarded as outsiders by the Christian society in which they live, and still identify themselves as Jews, that is where you will truly find Moshiach.
This is certainly appropriate for all of us Jews living here in the U.S. on Xmas and celebrating Chanukah, or finding some other way to celebrate our Jewishness on this day. That is our Spirit of Moshiach.

Double Edged Flame

There is a well-known Talmudic dispute as to the proper order of lighting the Chanukah candles. Bais Hilel (the prevailing opinion) says to start with one candle and add one each night. Bais Shammai says to start with eight candles and light one fewer each night. What are they arguing about?
Fire serves two purposes. On the one hand it can provide much needed light and heat, which is a positive aspect, on the other hand fire is a destructive force as well. All revolutions whether on a national scale such as Chanukah, or on a personal scale, such as someone engaging in a process of personal growth, contain both of these elements. Out with the bad, in with the good. A destroying of those elements of the old regime or lifestyle that were unhealthy and replacing them with new and better ideas and ideals.
But which force takes precedence? Is it the destruction of the old or the building up of the new. Bais Shammai emphasizes the ridding of the old ways which is why he says start with eight and work your way down, whereas Bais Hilel is focused on that which is new and better and presently in an embryonic state. Start with one and work your way up.
The prevailing opinion is that of Bais Hilel. Yes, growth requires destruction, but that is not where our focus is meant to be. Focus on growth and building up, of yourself, your family, your neighbors, your society, your country, the world.

Endless Flask

As Yaakov prepared to do battle with Eisav, the Torah tells us that he crossed over the river at night alone. Our sages tell us that he had gone back after transferring his family in order to retrieved some small flasks (פכים) that he had left behind. Our tradition tells us that there is a connection between these flasks and the flask (פך) that was found in the Bais HaMikdosh containing oil by the Chanukah story.
What is the connection?
The Sages tell us that Yaakov had gone back to get the flasks even though he was putting himself in danger. Why, then, did he go back? Because he viewed even these small, seemingly insignificant and inexpensive flasks, as a gift from God. To just leave them behind would show a lack of appreciation for what God had given him.
At Chanukah time the little bit of oil that they had went a long way. Does that ever seem to happen to you, that a little bit of money or food goes a lot farther than you expected? Perhaps the connection is that when we take proper care of that which God has given us, he will put a blessing in what we have and it will go much farther than we have a right to expect it to go under normal circumstances.

Joy in Darkness

The Skolye Rebbe points out that the miracle of Chanukah instilled within the Jewish Nation the ability to persevere even when facing terrible troubles. And then, when overcoming the obstacles, to rejoice. I want to add something further. A careful study of the story of Chanukah will show that at the time the Hellenists were driven out of the Bais HaMikdosh and the miracle of Chanukah occured, the Jewish Nation was far from free from the presence of the Syrian Greeks. It took two more decades of warfare until they were finally driven out of Israel. Why then did they celebrate at this point?
I think the answer is that we have to be able to find joy and appreciation in every accomplishment, even when things are still far from perfect. Too often we are so focused on what we haven't accomplished and the challenges that still face us, that we lack the ability to fully appreciate what it is that we have done. We can celebrate Chanukah and rejoice fully, knowing of the victories behind us, even with the awareness that there are still threats surrounding us, and much work left to be done.

Light and Dark

The Torah mandates three pilgrimage festivals for the Jewish Nation to go to the Temple in order to bask in the presence of God. Chanukah, by contrast, is a home-based holiday centered on night-time. When we are spiritually healthy God expects up to get out and travel long distance to see Him and experience Him. But when we are spiritually ill and lack the ability to go out and find God, He does not abandon us. All we need to do is put a few lights in our windows and God will find us wherever we are.

Letting it Sink In

Some have the custom to sit by the Chanukah candles for the half hour minimum burning time, and some for even longer.

The idea behind this concept is to give ones self time to meditate on the lessons of the candles and the associated miracles. We have shared on the blog a number of inspirational ideas about Chanukah. You can find many other lessons elsewhere. It is, however, too easy to just read such words and then move on. Becoming inspired is easy; really making it a part of yourself is hard work.

Sitting by the candles for a while gives you a chance to think about these ideas and take the time to absorb them within your consciousness.