Page 58 - HaMizrachi #25 Chanuka 2020 USA

GENERAL INTEREST NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Gael Grunewald

To Ignite the Candle Within

hanukah is a holiday of oppo- soul’s full engagement – enthused, The response to these dangers is
sites and contradictions – the alive, ebullient. ‘Placing’ symbolizes the mitzvah. The mitzvah separates
Cfew against the many, the impure the soul opting for rest, settling, the wheat from the chaff and the
versus the pure, light and dark. The routine. meaningful from the meaningless,
mitzvot of the chag are also delicately And so Rav Levi Yitzchak explains the ensuring that our passions and
balanced in “no-man’s land” – not plac- debate. Those who say that lighting yearnings are channeled into the
ing the chanukiah too high or too low, makes the mitzvah mean that ideally a scared. Likewise, the world of mitzvot
lighting at the interface of day and night, person should fulfil the mitzvah with gives substance to that enthusiasm,
between the house and the street. burning enthusiasm, and those who holding it, preserving it and able to
Throughout the discussions in the hold that ‘placing makes the mitzvah’ ignite it again and again. It is the
Gemara, we come across the debate acknowledge those moments in our mitzvot that connect enthusiasm to
about whether it’s “the lighting that lives that we just cannot enlist our soul the world of eternity.
makes the mitzvah” or “the placing to be aroused by the ‘lighting,’ yet even
that makes the mitzvah.” then we should not forego the mitzvah Connecting Opposites
In other words, if a person first lights and observe it if only by rote. There is Thus, Chanukah also represents the
the chanukiah in a place where he a value to drab persistence, to habit, to tension between static and dynamic.
does not fulfil the mitzvah, and only fulfilling mitzvot in a routine way. This tension is enmeshed in all
afterwards places it in his window or Rav Levi Yitzchak is describing one aspects of our lives – in prayer, in our
at the door, is he considered to have of the fundamentals of Chassidut: relationships, in parenting and in our
fulfilled the mitzvah or not? If we say observing mitzvot through enthusiasm professional lives. We cannot keep
the lighting is the determining factor, and a love of G-d. This was the great things burning bright for too long and
then no, but if we say the placement is message of Chassidism, created to it is also impossible to remain too long
what counts, then as soon as he places breathe new life into what had become in a debilitating routine without the
the lit chanukiah in the right place, he a dormant, routine-style Judaism. To occasional burst of enthusiasm.
has fulfilled the mitzvah. emphasize passion for mitzvot and Chanukah teaches us the middle path.
In a similar vein, if the candles burn love of G-d over mechanical ritual. The family stands together at a
out before their full time, do we juncture in time that is neither night
need to relight them or not? If it’s The Dangers of Enthusiasm nor day, in a place that is not really
the lighting that counts, then we’ve Nevertheless, there is danger in the inside the house yet not really outside,
already fulfilled the mitzvah and there ecstatic spiritual experience. Rav Levi and lights a small light that illuminates
is no need to light again. But if it’s the Yitzchak notes the tension between a world of darkness.
placement that counts, we haven’t the lighting and the placing, between
fulfilled the mitzvah until the lights breaking out of one’s comfort zone The Chanukah lights are beacons by
burn in the right place for their full and remaining in routine. He cites which we can walk safely in a world
allotted time, hence we would have to three particular dangers: i) the escape full of opposites and contradictions.
light the candles again. from routine is fast and knows no Lights that ignite the flames of desire
limits, and hence can spill over into and enthusiasm within eternity.
Excitement Versus Rote meaningless matters. ii) since it is (Based on an article by Rav Itamar
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev momentary, it passes quickly and Elad.)
addresses these debates in the Gemara cannot be maintained over time.
and explains that the root of the And iii) “sparks are not real,” i.e. raw Gael Grunewald is Deputy Chairman
differences in opinion is manifested in enthusiasm has no existence in and of the WZO and Head of its Education
two ‘movements’ of the soul: lighting of itself. It always needs something to Department. He is one of World Mizrachi’s
and placing. ‘Lighting’ symbolizes the ignite it. representatives in the National Institutions.

Jewish faith is about courage, endurance and the capacity to hold
58 | fast to ideals even when they are ignored by others.
RABBI SACKS