Page 46 - HaMizrachi #15 2019 Chanuka USA

MIZRACHI IN ISRAEL’S NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman

A Light

Unto the Nations

ne of the mitzvot unique to Why is Chanukah – and Purim entered the Temple, rededicated it and
Chanukah is pirsumei nisa, – different? lit candles.
Opublicizing the mitzvah. In
addition to lighting the Chanukah Through the Exodus and the trek in G-d is not seeking admiration.
candles, it is also mandatory to place the wilderness, the Jewish people were He wants us to remember and
them at the entrance to one’s home, totally passive. The miracles were commemorate the miracles so we
in full view, so that passersby will see performed exclusively by G-d. As we will keep and observe the mitzvot.
the lights. Our Sages also designated read in the Pesach Haggadah: “I, G-d, Consequently, the observance of the
mitzvot on Pesach and Sukkot does
a specific time frame for lighting the did this – and not any angel, any seraph not have to be done in public. It is not
or any intermediary.”
Chanukah candles – from sunset until necessary to publicize the mitzvah.
the streets become empty. There is no However, on Chanukah, the Jewish
specific time; rather, it depends on the people instigated the miracle. When However, on Chanukah and Purim, it
location. That explains why the hala- the Greeks issued edicts adversely is not enough to observe the mitzvah
cha uses the special terminology “until affecting the spiritual life of the Jews, in private. Rather, the validity of
foot traffic ceases in the marketplace” forbidding them from studying Torah the mitzvah derives from it being
– in other words, until people are no and observing mitzvot, the Matityahu publicized. The candles burning on the
longer outdoors and on the streets. was the one who took the initiative. He streets of the city, where everyone can
recruited his sons and appealed to the see them, boost the self-confidence of
If we look at the mitzvot related to Jewish people: “Whoever is with G-d, the Jewish people and remind us –and
Sukkot and Pesach for example, there is come to me.” The Hasmoneans declared those around us –that we have a special
no obligation to publicize them. Pesach war on the Greeks and hundreds mission to be “a light unto the nations.”
is a reminder of G-d taking us out of enlisted to take part in the struggle.
Egypt. Sukkot commemorates G-d’s A great miracle occurred as the few Rabbi Yechiel Wasserman heads the
Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora
protection during the 40 years in the prevailed over the many and the weak and is a member of the World Zionist
desert. prevailed over the strong. They then Organization Executive

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