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Days of Joy Hagim (Holidays) The Single Light of Chanukah
Days of Joy Hagim (Holidays) The Single Light of Chanukah | The Single Light of Chanukah |
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| Written by Rabbi Chanan Morrison | |
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Before lighting the Chanukah lights, we make the blessing: "... Who sanctified us with His mitzvot and commanded to kindle the Chanukah light." Why does the blessing refer to a single light? We light many candles each night - should we not say "the Chanukah LIGHTS"? Chinuch and Chanukah The word Chanukah means 'dedication,' referring to the re- dedication of the Temple in the time of the Maccabees. Chanukah shares the same Hebrew root as chinuch - 'education.' But 'education' is the masculine form of the word, and 'dedication' is the feminine form. Why?Rav Kook explained that the essence of education is preparing for future growth and development. We accustom the child in his youth to worthy habits and noble practices. This serves to develop his native talents and integrity, and has a positive influence over the years to come. Therefore, chinuch is in the masculine form, as it indicates a state of striving and influencing. Concerning the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, however, the situation is much different. Already when it was first established, this sacred edifice contained all of its future greatness and holiness. Future times will just realize the spiritual potential that existed from the very beginning. Thus, the Temple's dedication is called chanukah. The feminine form of the word is used, denoting a state of intrinsic holiness and completeness. The Lights of the Jewish peopleThe lights of Chanukah represent the blessings of enlightenment that the Jewish people throughout history have bestowed and will continue to bestow to the world. All of the nation's potential spiritual gifts are included in the dedication of Chanukah: Torah, prophecy, wisdom, justice, kindness, and so on. Like the Temple, these qualities are inherent in the people of Israel, so the feminine form, chanukah, is appropriate.In certain situations, each of these Lights needs its own emphasis and distinctness in order to make its full impact. Such divisions can lead to ideological strife. Someone who places importance on a particular Light, may look upon those who stress other Lights as detracting from the most important value. In truth, when each individual advances that Light that speaks to his soul, the entire people of Israel is enriched. But these conflicts will not exist forever. As long as there is strife and dissention, holiness cannot be properly established. In the future, it will become clear that all of the different values share a common root, and are really one single Light. Therefore, the blessing of Chanukah, which includes the elevated future potential, refers to one single Light. [adapted from Olat Re'iyah, pp. 433-435] Rabbi Chanan Morrison, of Mitzpeh Yericho, runs RavKook.n3.net, a website dedicated to presenting the Torah commentary of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, first Chief Rabbi of Eretz Yisrael, to the English-speaking community. He is also the author of Gold from the Land of Israel. Copyright © 2006 by Chanan Morrison 
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27 Elul 5770
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