“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas
Miketz
Miketz
3rd day of
Chanukah
Chanukah
Mevorchim Chodesh Teves
27 Kislev 5778/December 15,
2017
2017
This week, one of the non-Jewish teachers in Yeshiva related that
he is surprised that there were regular general studies classes during
Chanukah. He noted that generally during Jewish holidays, there is no school at
all, and all Jewish businesses are closed. So why would Chanukah be different?
he is surprised that there were regular general studies classes during
Chanukah. He noted that generally during Jewish holidays, there is no school at
all, and all Jewish businesses are closed. So why would Chanukah be different?
The truth is, that it’s not only a non-Jewish teacher who had
this question. Many of my students in both schools that I am privileged to be a
part of, have voiced, many rather vociferously, how bothered they are by the
fact that we have classes on Chanukah. Some complain that it dampers the
holiday spirit, while others use the religious complaint – how can we have
general studies classes on Chanukah? When I ask those students what they would
be doing if we didn’t have classes, most smile and admit that they would be
‘chilling’, but reassure me that it’s only because they need to do so to put
themselves in the proper mindset, so they can fulfill the mitzvah of lighting
properly.
this question. Many of my students in both schools that I am privileged to be a
part of, have voiced, many rather vociferously, how bothered they are by the
fact that we have classes on Chanukah. Some complain that it dampers the
holiday spirit, while others use the religious complaint – how can we have
general studies classes on Chanukah? When I ask those students what they would
be doing if we didn’t have classes, most smile and admit that they would be
‘chilling’, but reassure me that it’s only because they need to do so to put
themselves in the proper mindset, so they can fulfill the mitzvah of lighting
properly.
I know of one Yeshiva which gave off from general studies
classes during Chanukah. It was at the request of the students who fulfilled
their pledge to utilize that time to learn Torah! That actually makes some
sense!
classes during Chanukah. It was at the request of the students who fulfilled
their pledge to utilize that time to learn Torah! That actually makes some
sense!
I must admit that I do understand my students, because I had
the same complaint when I was a student. I couldn’t stand having a regular day
of school during Chanukah.
the same complaint when I was a student. I couldn’t stand having a regular day
of school during Chanukah.
However, understanding why we go about our regular lives
during Chanukah, is fundamental to understanding the essence of this most
unique and elevating holiday.
during Chanukah, is fundamental to understanding the essence of this most
unique and elevating holiday.
The Bais Yosef asks why Chanukah is an eight-day holiday, and
not seven days? If they had enough oil to light the menorah for one day, then
the miracle was only for seven days?
not seven days? If they had enough oil to light the menorah for one day, then
the miracle was only for seven days?
Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l proposed that we have an extra day
on Chanukah to celebrate nature itself. After celebrating for seven days that
an insufficient amount of oil could remain burning for seven days beyond its
natural capacity, we celebrate the fact that oil burns ever. On Chanukah we
remind ourselves that nature is a pseudonym for Hashem, that what we call
natural is really supernatural, only we get used to it and fail to appreciate
the miracles of nature.
on Chanukah to celebrate nature itself. After celebrating for seven days that
an insufficient amount of oil could remain burning for seven days beyond its
natural capacity, we celebrate the fact that oil burns ever. On Chanukah we
remind ourselves that nature is a pseudonym for Hashem, that what we call
natural is really supernatural, only we get used to it and fail to appreciate
the miracles of nature.
Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman made the following observation:
“Imagine if we woke up one morning and all the chickens were laying oranges,
and eggs were growing on trees. Wouldn’t we all be in wonder and shock at the
incredible phenomenon taking place?
“Imagine if we woke up one morning and all the chickens were laying oranges,
and eggs were growing on trees. Wouldn’t we all be in wonder and shock at the
incredible phenomenon taking place?
So just because it’s the other way around, should we not be
in absolute wonder and shock over the incredible miracle that eggs emerge from
chickens, and oranges grow on trees?”
in absolute wonder and shock over the incredible miracle that eggs emerge from
chickens, and oranges grow on trees?”
During Shabbos, and all of the major holidays of the year, we
are transported into a different reality. We don’t do melacha, spend the day in
the company of family and friends, and bask in the embrace of Hashem with
special tefillos and mitzvos. It’s not a life that we could uphold in our
current reality. It is in fact a portentous glimpse into the utopian world of
the future. During those holy days we live an unnatural, superior existence.
are transported into a different reality. We don’t do melacha, spend the day in
the company of family and friends, and bask in the embrace of Hashem with
special tefillos and mitzvos. It’s not a life that we could uphold in our
current reality. It is in fact a portentous glimpse into the utopian world of
the future. During those holy days we live an unnatural, superior existence.
On Chanukah however, life goes on as normal. We head off to
work and to school and go about our regular mundane lives. It’s a regular day,
but it’s not!
work and to school and go about our regular mundane lives. It’s a regular day,
but it’s not!
The days of Chanukah elevate our normal routines, and create
a sense of holiness in our natural lives. We recite hallel in the morning,
recite al hanisim in davening and bentching, and, of course, light the
menorah. We focus on the things we should be grateful for, the miracles we take
for granted every day, which include our natural abilities, our beating heart,
our communities, and the freedom to be Torah observant. For eight days and
nights we live our regular lives, but on a higher and more spiritually minded
plane. And when it’s over, we are hopefully inspired enough to take those
emotions and gratitudes with us to light and warm the cold and dark winter.
a sense of holiness in our natural lives. We recite hallel in the morning,
recite al hanisim in davening and bentching, and, of course, light the
menorah. We focus on the things we should be grateful for, the miracles we take
for granted every day, which include our natural abilities, our beating heart,
our communities, and the freedom to be Torah observant. For eight days and
nights we live our regular lives, but on a higher and more spiritually minded
plane. And when it’s over, we are hopefully inspired enough to take those
emotions and gratitudes with us to light and warm the cold and dark winter.
Chanukah is a weekday holiday in the sense that it elevates
the weak-days, strengthening them and us.
the weak-days, strengthening them and us.
Well, maybe not completely natural – my sister complained
that at work this week, all day long her shaitel smelled like latkes. I’m not
sure why she was complaining – sounds (or smells) good to me!
that at work this week, all day long her shaitel smelled like latkes. I’m not
sure why she was complaining – sounds (or smells) good to me!
Lichtig
& Freilichen Chanukah/Orot Sameiach
& Freilichen Chanukah/Orot Sameiach
Shabbat
Shalom & Good Shabbos,
Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum