9 / 3 / 5736

Greeting and Blessing:

I was pleased to be informed of the forthcoming event, taking place on the 12th of this month of Kislev, which is highlighted by the Festival of Chanukah. This makes the Chanukas Habayis particularly timely and auspicious.

Chanukah commemorates the Dedication of the Beis Hamikdosh after the miraculous victory of our people over the forces of darkness and assimilation that had threatened to extinguish the light of the Torah and Mitzvos. It also reminds us that this victory was achieved through the efforts of a few, but totally dedicated Jews, arid that the victory was celebrated by kindling lights in the Sanctuary in Jerusalem with pure, undefiled oil, which gave us the meaningful Mitzva of the Chanukah Limits.

Our Sages of blessed memory declared: "These (Chanukah) lights shall endure and shine forever." Unlike the seven-branched Menorah, the lighting of which had to be discontinued when the Sanctuary was destroyed nearly 2000 years ago, the lighting of the eight-branched Chanukah lamp, which was inaugurated some 200 years prior to the Destruction, continued uninterruptedly ever since, not only in the Holy Land but also in all lands of our dispersion, and in every Jewish home.

What are some of the eternal messages of these eternal lights of Chanukah?

One basic truth is that the destiny of our Jewish people is not determined by material and physical criteria, or by the numbers and strength of our enemies, but by our spiritual strength derived from our G-d-given Torah and Mitzvos. The victory of the greatly outnumbered and physically disadvantaged Jews over the many and mighty forces of the enemy in those days at this season, clearly demonstrated that it is our spiritual strength that really counts - even in areas where physical superiority is usually decisive.

The obligation to kindle the Chanukah Lights in every Jewish home further emphasises the fact that Jewish strength begins at home, A Jewish home is an abode for the Divine Presence, very much as the Beis Hamikdosh was in a collective sense. Both are included in the Divine command, “Make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell within each one of you.”

The time and location of the Chanukah Lights are also significant: The lights are kindled ''when the sun sets'; when darkness falls outside - it is high time to Light up our homes with the sacred Chanukah Lights, symbolizing the eternal light of Torah and Mitzvos. While the location - to be visible also outside - further indicates that the Torah and Mitzvos must not be confined within the walls of the home, but must shine forth also outside, to illuminate the environment.

Yet another important lesson must be mentioned here, namely, that however satisfactory the observance of Torah and Mitzvos may be at any day, a Jew is expected to do better the next day, and still better the day after. There is always room for improvement in matters of goodness and holiness, which are infinite, being derived from The Infinite. This, too, is underscored by the Chanukah Lights. For, although all that is required to fulfill the Mitzva of candle-lighting on the first night of Chanukah is to light one candle, yet the next night of Chanukah It is required to light two candies, and when another day passes even the higher standard of the previous day is no longer adequate, and an additional light is called for, and so on, to increase the light from day to day.

The above-mentioned practical lessons, so basic to Chanukah as to the Jewish way in general, are also the basic principles that pervade all Chabad-Lubavitch activities to spread the light of Torah-Judaism, particularly through Chinuch, Torah education. This is what the Chabad House is all about.

With the fullest cooperation of all who appreciate the vital need to preserve and perpetuate our sacred Jewish heritage, I am confident, with the help of G-d, that you will go from strength to strength in kindling ever more lights and torch-bearers who, in turn, will kindle further lights in an endless “chain reaction” to illuminate the self, the home, the environment, and the world at large.

With esteem and blessing for Hatzlocho and Good Tidings

M. Schneerson