The Talmud (Shabbos 21a) relates that the Sages ordained the festival of  Chanukah in order “to thank and praise HaShem.”

Yet, there seems to be something missing here. The Sages ordained the festival of  Chanukah specifically to “thank and praise HaShem.” However, they did not mention that this praise relates to the flask of oil that miraculously burned eight days. Nor do they mention the kindling of the Chanukah lights in every Jewish home! They simply say that Chanukah is a time to “thank and praise HaShem. “Isn’t the lighting of the Menorah the central theme of our Chanukah celebration?

HaShem made the flask of oil burn for eight days as well as, gave the Maccabe’an army victory over the powerful Greeks. These stunning miracles were on the magnitude of holiness of the miraculous Exodus from Egypt. At the time of Chanukah, HaShem openly revealed His kindness, compassion, and love for Am Yisrael.  In turn, the People spontaneously rejoiced and expressed heartfelt thanks and praise to HaShem.

Therefore, our celebration corresponds exactly to what took place in the generation of the Macabbees. The essence of our Chanukah festival is to be moved to joyfully THANK AND PRAISE HASHEM for the revelation of His eternal and infinite love for each one of us.

Lighting the Menorah, in and of itself, does not fulfill the Mitzvah “to thank and praise HaShem.” Rather, the Menorah helps us remember HaShem’s wonderful kindness. As we light the Menorah, may we reflect on HaShem’s great love for each one of us, so that our hearts will be moved to joyously thank and praise HaShem! (Based on the Chachmah and Mussar of the Altar of  Kelm).

Today: As you light the Menorah, reflect on HaShem’s love for you – and joyously thank and praise HaShem.

Copyright © 2010 by Rabbi Zvi Miller and the Salant Foundation

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