12 Dec A LASTING CHANUKAH MESSAGE FOR THE GAZA WAR – PART ONE

The Maharal, zt”l,
zy”a, questions a
seeming contradiction
between two Gemoras
in Masechtas Shabbos.
First, the Gemora
states that the time of
the mitzvah of lighting
the menorah, is from
when the sun sets
until people cease to be around outside.
Afterwards, the time for the mitzvah has
passed. However, a second Gemora states
that the mitzvah of the menorah is to put
it by the door of one’s home but, in a time
of danger, one can place it on his dining
room table and that is sufficient. From
the first Gemora, it would seem that if
outsiders cannot see it, one does not fulfil
the mitzvah. Yet, the second Gemora
implies that if there is no alternative it is
sufficient for the people at home to see
the lightning.
The Maharal reconciles the two Gemoras
by explaining that indeed, normally, it
is necessary to broadcast the miracle
to the outside. However, in times of
Jewish persecution, the menorah takes on
another role and that is a message of hope

that, just like Hashem saved us from the

superior menacing forces of the Syrian-
Greeks, He will also save us in our times

of danger.
To further bolster the Maharal’s
message, we should take a look at another
Gemora about the menorah. When the
Torah instructs Moshe to place a menorah
inside the Mishkon, Rav Sheishes asks a
penetrating question: Why does Hashem
need a candelabra of lights in His home?
“V’chi l’ora Hu tzorach? – Does Hashem
need its light?” Can He not equally see
as well in the dark? The Gemora answers
that the menorah was not for Hashem’s
benefit. Rather, “Eidus hi l’Yisroel
shehaShechina shruya b’Yisroel – It (the
menorah) is a testimony to us that the
Divine presence rests especially with
Yisroel.”
How is the menorah a testimony? The
Gemora tells us that the same amount
of oil was put in all seven lamps. Every
day, six of them were depleted and went
out in the morning. But the seventh one,
the ner marovi that had the same amount
of oil as the others, miraculously lasted
daily until the afternoon when we lit the

other lamps from its flame. Only then
did we put it out to reignite it. This was
a stupendous miracle on a daily basis to
show that Hashem was with us. Another
daily miracle of the menorah was that
miraculously the three lights to the left
and the three lights to the right amazingly
bent toward the middle lamp.
The message of the Maharal is especially
important in our time. We are in a time
of danger whether it is our brave soldiers
fighting Hamas, a savage ruthless enemy
that has no concern whatsoever for the
value of life. Whether it’s our brethren
in Eretz Yisroel who have murderous
missiles shot at them on a regular basis,
whether it’s Jews all over the globe who
are being targeted with renewed acts of
venomous antisemitism, or the remaining
hostages who are in mortal danger every
moment. The Chanukah menorah is a
message of hope that, just like Hashem
came to the rescue at the time of the
wicked Antiochus and the Syrian-Greeks
even though the situation seemed bleak,
so too Hashem will help us now in our
time of need and lead us to a wonderful
victory.

And, just like the menorah in the Beis
HaMikdash was a reminder that Hashem
is especially with us, so too now, we
should realize that Hashem has our backs
in the Gaza, in Sderot, and in Jewish
communities all over the world. In the
merit of our sincere trust in Hashem, may
Hashem lead us to victory and security
and bless us with long life, good health,
and everything wonderful.
To be continued.