Chanuka, Hakhel, & Moshiach

Chanuka has turned into a real Yom Tov of gatherings. Whether it is the activities that we do to spread the light and miracle of Chanuka with others or with our own family, it seems that every night we are attending a different gathering. In 5748 – a year of Hakhel – the Rebbe encouraged that we use these times that we are gathered anyway as Hakhel gatherings. The Rebbe said that he would lead this campaign by example, and therefore the Rebbe said a sicha every day (after the lighting of the candles) speaking about the Torah portion of the day and the uniqueness of each and every night of Chanuka.

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A KOTZKER CHANUKA MIRACLE

It was dark outside. Nobody was out on the street. All were asleep. Only the shrieking of the wind pierced the silence. But in one building you would not have known it was nighttime. It was the shtiebel (beis midrash) of the Kotzker Chassidim which was located in the heart of the forest. The Chassidim were sitting and farbrenging deep into the night. They drank l’chaim, sang Chassidic niggunim, and their faces were aglow with simcha.

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Eight Stories of Light

What connection is there between giving out siddurim in Germany to setting up a menorah in the center of a university campus? Why did R’ Yehuda Leib Levin’s granddaughter cry and what moved R’ Kanelsky’s parents? How did the rich man’s son manage to “do something” for Chanuka and what inspired the Jewesses in Secaucus? Where was a menorah placed thanks to one doughnut and where did $5000 have to be paid to place one menorah? And also, who does a favor for whom at Newark airport? * R’ Mordechai Kanelsky, director of Bris Avrohom in New Jersey, who brings the light of Chanuka to 20 million people every year tells eight tales about light

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BEHIND THE SCENES OF MIVTZA CHANUKA

…a few days ago I came here on shlichus to the neighborhood next to yours. I want to discuss with you how to go about doing Mivtza Chanuka with the soldiers, policemen, and firemen.

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THE MIRACLES OF CHANUKA (Part 2)

Chanuka was established on the day when two things happened – triumph at war as well as the miracle of the cruse of oil, two distinct matters that occurred on different occasion. * From Likkutei Sichos Vol. 30, pg. 204-208. * Continued from last issue.

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A LIGHT UNTO THE MASSES

Since receiving a letter from the Rebbe, R’ Mordechai Kanelsky puts up public menorahs on bridges, at airports, and other locations that are seen by the masses, bringing the light of Chanuka to fifteen million people!

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DRIVE CAREFULLY

This week’s parsha is always read during Chanukah and there is a deep connection between the two.

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CHANUKA OUTSIDE THE TOWN

“Hershel, what will be?” Malka asked with tears in her eyes. She pointed at the two children lying on straw mattresses, shivering in the cold. “Look at Moishele and Chaim. They are so thin and weak. What shall I give them to eat tomorrow morning? From where will we get warm blankets to warm them up a bit?”

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THE MIRACLES OF CHANUKA

In terms of its role in establishing the days of Chanuka as a holiday, the disagreement is only as to whether the miracle of the victory at war is only a preface and preparatory event to the miracle of the lights, which is the finale and completion of the Chanuka miracle, or whether the military triumph is not considered a mere preface but is on par with the miracle of the lights.

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ALL-EMBRACING MUTUALLY ASSURED RESPONSIBILITY

This story of mutual responsibility between the Rebbe’s shluchim throughout the world began in Salt Lake City, Utah, moving to Calabasas, California, and then to Toronto, Ontario, as the all-encompassing power of Divine Providence directed everything in a most amazing and exciting manner.

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BEHIND THE SCENES: PLANNING OPERATION “PROTECTIVE HELMET” – MIVTZA MEZUZA

…a mezuza protects a house like a helmet protects a soldier during battle. If a soldier does not have a helmet, he can be injured. If he wears a helmet, it protects him even if something happens to him.

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EIGHT CANDLES THAT LIT UP EIGHT NESHAMOS

Everybody knows that wherever there are Jews, there is Chabad. The presence of Chabad is especially noticeable Chanuka time, when public ceremonies are held with local politicians and media in attendance. What not everybody knows about are the efforts of the Rebbe’s foot soldiers who reach out to individual Jews in the most out-of-the-way places, whether in a Druze village or deep in a Tasmanian forest.

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WHY DIDN’T KING CHIZKIYA MERIT TO BE MOSHIACH?

The primary way that we show our thanks and appreciation to Hashem for the miracles of Chanuka is by lighting the Menorah for 8 days. Every day we light a different amount of candles. It is well known that there is an argument between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel as to the amount of candles that we should light each night. Beis Shammai says that we start with eight and progressively decrease until we kindle only one light on the final night. Beis Hillel says that we start with one and increase each night until on the eight night we kindle eight lights.

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