Page 58 - HaMizrachi #15 2019 Chanuka USA

YESHIVOT IN ISRAEL

Rabbi Jesse Horn

the message

in the
Al HaNissim

Candles

Located literally opposite Har HaBayit, he language and structure of the thriving. The Purim miracle enabled
Yeshivat HaKotel was founded in the text in the Al HaNissim prayers the Jewish people to avoid annihilation
aftermath of the Six-Day War, in order to Trecited on Chanukah and and destruction. At the end of the
bring high-level Torah learning back to the Purim are strikingly similar. It is clear Purim story, they return to their
newly-liberated Old City of Yerushalayim. they are both written with one voice: original and neutral status. Purim
Learning in this special place helps The texts have an identical opening, takes place outside of Israel, where
students connect deeply with G-d as well as Al haNissim veAl haPorkan “Because the goal is survival – exactly what
to our people's history and future. of the miracles and the redemption.” the miracle ensured. Chanukah, by
Today, Yeshivat HaKotel's program includes They both continue with a similar contrast, takes place in Israel, the place
hundreds of talmidim – Israelis in the phrase, “In the days of” and then list where the Jewish future is destined to
Hesder program who combine Talmud Torah the central characters in each prayer’s be built. It is therefore not surprising
with IDF service alongside a robust program respective holiday; Mordechai and that the Chanukah story ends with a
for Overseas Students. Esther for Purim and Matityahu and significantly greater climax; namely
the Chashmonaim for Chanukah. the rededication of the Beit HaMikdash
Overseas students live and learn alongside and the powerful opportunity that
Israelis and benefit from English shiurim Subsequently, each prayer describes brings.
as well as guidance, trips and special the potential threat, beginning with
programs that make the year in Israel the phrase “When they (the villains) Al HaNissim on Chanukah is
especially meaningful. stood up.” After describing the threats, designed to capture the potential

HaKotel’s student body consists of the salvations are described, each the Jewish people have specifically
when there is a Beit HaMikdash. In
dedicated Yeshiva High School graduates beginning with the identical phrase, light of this understanding, we can
who focus on Torah study and personal VeAta BeRachamecha HaRabim, “And now also appreciate the additional
spiritual growth. Intensive Gemara learning you in Your great mercy.” element found in the Chanukah
is complemented by a broad curriculum of
shiurim in Tanach, Machshava, Mussar, and However, there are also clear prayer. It is designed to illustrate the
Halacha. differences. The prayer on Chanukah significance and great importance of
has an extra paragraph demarcated rededicating the Beit HaMikdash and
Most importantly, students from HaKotel with the same phrase Shem Gadol, the opportunity to praise and share
benefit At the personal touch of dedicated “great name,” in the beginning and G-d’s great name with the world –
staff, who get to know each talmid LeShimcha HaGadol, “Your great LeShimcha HaGadol.
personally and help each forge his unique name,” at the end, describing how
path in Avodat Hashem. the Jews retook and entered the Beit Based upon this, one may further
HaMikdash, cleaned and purified it explain why the miracle of Chanukah
is celebrated by placing candles by a
and established Chanukah.
window projecting outwards, perhaps
Why does the Chanukah text contain recalling Jewish responsibility to be an
this additional section? Additionally, Or LaGoyim, a light upon the nations
when explaining the salvation, the and share G-d’s great name with the
Yeshivat HaKotel world.
+972-2-628-8175 Chanukah text is significantly more
office@hakotel.org.il descriptive, offering more detail in the
www.hakotel.org.il/English/about military victory than the Purim text
does. Why? Rabbi Jesse Horn is a Senior Ram (Rosh
Metivta) at Yeshivat HaKotel and the
Purim is a story of Jewish survival Director of the Mizrachi/Yeshivat HaKotel
while Chanukah is one about a nation Mechanchim program