Chanukah and Torah

by HaRav Dov Begon
Rosh HaYeshiva, Machon Meir

On day eight of Chanukah, we read the section from the Torah beginning: “This is the dedication” (Bamidbar 7:84), thus linking the word Chanukah [dedication] to the word “zot” [this]. Yet our Torah, as well, is called “this”, as our sages taught: “‘Zot’ can only connote Torah, as it says, ‘This is the Torah that Moshe placed before the Israelites’ (Devarim 4:44; see Avodah Zarah 2b).

As is well-known, the number “eight” alludes to the dimension of eternity, for it symbolizes the transcending of time. By contrast, the number “seven” alludes to finite time – the seven-day week.

The Hebrew word for “eight” [shemoneh] has the same letters as the Hebrew word for “soul” [neshamah]. Hence the eighth day of Chanukah is its soul and essence. Moreover, Torah, linked to Chanukah by “zot”, is likewise the soul of the nation, of Israel, the people of eternity.

On Chanukah, we publicize the miracles that G-d performed for our ancestors in those days, at this time of year.

Now the Torah is compared to light, as it says, “A mitzvah is a lamp and the Torah is light” (Mishlei 6:23). Just as in those days the Jewish People, beloved by G-d, clung to our holy Torah despite the Greeks’ attempts to extinguish the light of Torah, in our own day as well we see how the Jewish People is clinging to our holy Torah and is returning to it despite the alien influences of Western Culture, synonymous with Greek Culture – the same dame in a different dress. And just as a person’s soul is likened to a candle, as it says, “G-d’s lamp is the soul of man” (Mishlei 20:27), so too, the nation’s soul is like a lamp shedding G-d’s light upon the world. Despite all of their efforts, the nations have not succeeded, nor will they succeed, in extinguishing the light of Israel, “for You swore to him in Your name that his light will never go out” (Haftara Blessings).

“This is the L-rd’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the L-rd has made. Let us be glad and rejoice on it.” (Hallel).

BeSorot Tovot,
With blessings for a joyous eight-day of Chanukah,
Looking forward to complete salvation,
With the Love of Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael,
Shabbat Shalom.