Page 38 - HaMizrachi #25 Chanuka 2020 USA

HOLIDAY READING

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg

Chanukah

and Chinuch

The Holiday of Jewish Education

hanukah is so named because Chinuch is the initiation of a person or and in both, we bring greater light into
it commemorates the ה ָּ כֻנ ֲ ח, object into the trade or art for which the world.
Cthe rededication of the Beit it is destined, as in the education of a
HaMikdash, and particularly of the youth, the dedication of the altar, or Each Child Is a Flame
ַ ח ֵּ בְז ִ מ, the altar centerpiece of the inauguration of a house. Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch points out
Temple which the Greeks had defiled that the basic mitzvah of Chanukah
(Maharsha to Shabbat 21b). All ded- The term chinuch is appropriate when is as the Gemara dictates, ֹותי ֵ בּו ׁשי ִ א רֵנ,
ications are called ה ָּ כֻנ ֲ ח, such as ת ַּ כֻנ ֲ ח referring to an innate talent that a the head of the household lights one
ַ ח ֵּ בְז ִּ מ ַ ה or ן ָּ כ ְ ׁש ִּ מ ַ ה ת ַּ כֻנ ֲ ח, or in contempo- person has for a certain art, or when candle and fulfills the mitzvah for his
rary times when we buy a new home describing the preparation of a house wife and children. However, says the
and invite people for a תִי ַּ ב ַ ה ת ַּ כֻנ ֲ ח, a or object for use. Gemara, one does the mitzvah in a
dedication ceremony. It is a special word with specific defini- mehadrin, enhanced fashion, if ל ָ כ ְ ל רֵנ

Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch explains tion, and it is used to describe the real- ד ָ ח ֶ א ְ ו ד ָ ח ֶ א, each person of the house
the etymology of the name ה ָּ כֻנ ֲ ח as ization of latent potential inherent in a lights their own.
deriving from the same root as the person or object. If we fail to actualize Rav Hirsch suggests that yes, we can
ְ
word ךֹונ ֲ ח, to educate. Indeed, Rav that potential, it will remain concealed live life ֹותי ֵ בּו ׁשי ִ א רֵנ, if we light the fire
Hirsch says, it used to be customary to forever. in our own hearts, inspire ourselves
spend time on Chanukah discussing, Our mission is to be mechanech, to and make sure we are warm. But the
strategizing and recommitting to the educate the person so that he will proper thing to do, the way to accom-
importance of chinuch. become an accomplished craftsman; plish things in a mehadrin fashion, is
We know Jewish education is import- to prepare the house so that each to make sure each person in the home
is a burning flame, to inspire children
ant, but what connection does it have room fulfills its intended purpose; or to burn brightly and illuminate the
to Chanukah that they should share a to prepare the instrument so that it darkness as well.
name? performs the function for which it was
designed.” Chinuch Never Ends
What Is Chinuch? According to the Piaseczno, Jewish The Gemara continues: ן ִ מ ןי ִ ר ְ ּ ד ַ ה ְ מ
The Piaseczno Rebbe, Rav Kalonymus education and Chanukah share the ןי ִ ר ְ ּ ד ַ ה ְּ מ ַ ה is to light additional candles
Kalman Shapira, defines chinuch in the exact same essence. Both are about each night. In chinuch, like in Cha-
introduction to his incredible Chovas dedication, bringing potential into nukah, you can’t light one candle and
HaTalmidim. Based on a Rashi in reality, helping a person or a building think you are done. You can’t teach
Bereishit 14:14, he writes, fulfill the purpose for which it exists, one lesson, share one value, take

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