Jewish news chanukah 5774 2013

December 2013 - Chanukah 5774

CHABAD ANOUNCES STATE OF THE ART CHABAD CENTER ON THE GREEN First Dedication; The Liorah Greenberg Hebrew School With its approval in May, Chabad plans for the first phase of its Chabad Center to open for the summer of 2014.

This past summer Chabad was granted a certificate of appropriateness by the Litchfield Borough Historic District commission. Furthernore, its applica‑ tion for a special exception was ap‑ proved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Continued on page 12

www.ChabadNW.org

Serving Northwest CT since 1998

CELEBRATION 18!

Joe Connelly & Richard K. Merrell Jr. to be honored at Chabadʼs Com‑ munity Awards Dinner www.theDinner.org Northwest, CT ‑ Chabad Lubavitch is hosting Celebration 18 with a gala dinner, silent auction and a Chassidic pop concert with Benny Friedman on Sunday December 15, 2013. The Community Awards Dinner will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 1284 Strongtown Road in Southbury, CT

Benny Friedman to Premier at Chabad of Northwest Commu‑ nity Awards Dinner

Continued on page 9

JOIN CHABAD IN BRIGHTENING UP NW CT Thursday November 28, 2013 5:30pm: Waterbury Community Menorah Lighting Be dazzled with a spectacular fire show by Jason The Fire Juggler.

Complimentary hot Starbucks coffee and chocolate donuts will be provided for all.

Come meet Judah Maccabee who will be distributing chocolate Chanukah Gelt.

Music * Raffles * Chanukah Crafts Columbia Boulevard and Randolph Avenue Water‑ bury, CT

More Sukkos Pictures on Page 6

Enjoy an interactive musical journey from the an‑ cients cobble stoned streets of Jerusalem to the winding roads of the shtetl. Sing along to your old Yiddish favorites, and get up and dance to modern Is‑ raeli classics. Sandy brings Jewish music to life with an eclectic mix of tunes that will have you singing and dancing along in no time at all. Sandyʼs high spir‑ its and incredible energy invites audience participa‑ tion and creates a wonderful feeling of community celebration.

8:00pm • Crowne Plaza Southbury 1284 Strongtown Rd, Middlebury, CT Sunday December 1, 2013

Thursday November 28, 2013 Golden Age Chanukah Parties 10:30am: Wolcott Hall Nursing Center 215 Forest Street Torrington, CT 11:30am: Valerie Manor 1360 Torringford St Torrington, 1:30pm: Brandywine Senior Living 19 Constitution Way Litchfield, CT Motzei Shabbat, Nov. 30, 2013

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Salute To Israel Chanukah Concert

Chanukah on the Slopes Enjoy skiing, tubing, snow‑boarding, a giant ice menorah lighting, Jewish music, Chanukah movies, entertainers, kosher food, Chanukah crafts for kids, and Judah Macabee (the Chanukah Hero) live distrib‑ uting Chanukah gifts.

12:00 pm – 7:00 pm Woodbury Ski Area 785 Washington Rd Woodbury, CT Continued on page 10

CHABAD TO DELIVER OVER 500 TOYS TO INNER CITY CHILDREN ʻTis the season for toys. Chabad's annual Chanukah Toy drive is in full swing. Toys of every shape and size, for boys and girls, from stuffed animals to board games and bikes. All are being distributed in Waterbury & Torrington to needy children throughout North‑ west Connecticut.

During Chanukah, children gather outside at sundown before our giant menorahs, clasping their hands together in prayer and watch‑ ing the newest candle glow.

But as soon as the formalities are over, they dart back home to open their newest present from a complete stranger.

This is the ultimate Mitzvah ‑ to help someone you never met & might never meet again ‑ that is the true spirit of CHABAD.

Jewish News 1

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MESSAGE FROM THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE THE MESSAGE OF THE CHANUKAH LIGHTS

from appreciating G‑dʼs all‑perva‑ sive unity. By kindling Chanukah candles, we generate light which el‑ evates the material realm and re‑ veals its G‑dly nature.

On Chanukah, the Previous Rebbe would tell his chassidim, “We must listen carefully to what the candles are saying.” In fact, the message of the Chanukah lights affects the en‑ tire scope of our service of G‑d throughout the year, for “a mitzvah is a lamp and Torah is light.”

Though every mitzvah is a lamp which lights up the darkness of our material world, this illumination is more manifest in those mitzvos which are associated with visible light.

The spiritual implications of the Chanukah lights are reflected in the halachic details that regulate the performance of the mitzvah. For a start, the Chanukah lights should be kindled after sunset and must burn into the night. Furthermore, they should be placed “at the out‑ side of the entrance to oneʼs home,” which shows that they are prima‑ rily intended to illuminate the pub‑ lic domain rather than oneʼs own home.

The darkness of night and the pub‑ lic domain represent the aspects of our material existence which ob‑ scure G‑dly light and prevent us

No other mitzvah so directly el‑ evates those aspects of material existence which conceal G‑dliness.

The positive com‑ mandments of the Torah af‑ fect only things which are by nature fit to be ele‑ vated.

For this reason, positive com‑ mandments cannot be ful‑ filled with materi‑ als that are not kosher. Even the Torahʼs prohibitions, the commandments that are con‑ cerned with material elements which cannot be refined, do not el‑ evate these negative forces; the purpose of these prohibitions is merely to negate their influence.

The Chanukah candles, however, are able to refine and elevate the darkness of the public domain, causing it to shine with G‑dly light.

To Make the Darkness Glow.

The unique power of the Chanukah lights is linked to the nature of the miracle they commemorate. The miracle of Chanukah took place in a time of darkness, when the Greeks, who had con‑ quered the Land of Is‑ rael, sought to impose their cul‑ ture upon its in‑ habitants.

Despite the assimilatory influence of Jewish Hel‑ lenists, the Maccabees were able to instill in the Jewish people a spirit of mesirus nefesh (self‑sacrifice) and teshuvah (return to G‑d). This inspired them to fight the Greeks, defeat them, and rededicate the Beis HaMikdash. Since the Jewish victory involved the transformation of darkness into light, the Chanukah lights which commemo‑ rate it also have this power.

And they teach us that when con‑ fronted with darkness, we must not resign ourselves to it. Nor may we

remain content with lighting up our own homes. Instead, we must reach out and spread light as far as we possibly can, until the public do‑ main too is illuminated.

Transcending Even Spiritual Self‑ Interest The Chanukah hymn beginning HaNeiros Hallalu records another halachic requirement: “These lights are holy and we are not permitted to make use of them, only to look at them.” I.e., though the Chanukah candles must burn into the night, when their light would be useful, we are not allowed to make use of it. To ensure this, we light an extra candle, the shamash, and place it above the others, so that any unin‑ tentional benefit from the light is attributable to the shamash and not the lamps lit for the performance of the mitzvah.

These laws reflect the unique na‑ ture of this mitzvah. Though every mitzvah earns a reward, in certain cases the reward is spiritual, while in others it is also manifest in the material world. The visible light of the Chanukah candles indicates that the positive effects generated by this mitzvah are apparent in our material world as well as in the spiritual realm.

However, just as we do not make use of the light of the Chanukah continued on page 26

This publication is another project of Chabad Lubavitch and is printed six times annually.

Volume XV Issue II

WHATʼS INSIDE Message From the Lubavitcher Rebbe

pg 3

Letter From the Rabbi

pg 4

Our Mailbox

pg 5

Sukkot @ Chabad

pg 6

Chabad Goes Pink

pg 7

Chanukah Getaway Retreat

pg 8

Salute to Israel & Chanukah Concert

pg 11

It Happened Once

pg 17

Chanukah on the Slopes

pg 18

Ask the Rabbi

pg 19

Jewish Funeral Page

pg 20

A Chanukah Guide

pg 21

The Story of Chanukah

pg 22

Yehudit

pg 24 Jewish News 3

Jewish News

L ETTER FROM THE RABBI R J E ABBI OSEPH ISENBACH

Dear Friends, Happy Chanukah! Also known as the "Festival of Lights," this holiday warms the heart and uplifts the soul. It is specifically at this time when people think of sharing with others and reaching out to help, to care and to spread cheer.

That idea encapsulates what we do here at Chabad. Itʼs not just about the numbers, the programs, the events, etc. Each person we interact with is empowered to develop his/her inner potential. To think about whom he is as a person, who she is as a soul. To engage with oth‑ ers, other parts of the community.

Ultimately, thatʼs how you change the world.

But there is someone else we need to empower, if weʼre going to con‑ tinue making an impact on The Northwest Connecticut community.

You. Our efforts come with large finan‑ cial obligations and it is only with your partnership that we are able to continue our vital work. We must raise over $450,000 for our annual operating budget, to keep our pro‑ grams going and growing. We are personally responsible for every dollar of our annual budget. Weʼve been able to thrive and grow all of these years because of our partner‑ ship with you – our friends and sup‑

4 Jewish News

Your contribution can be made in various ways listed below:

Presented to you by

porters. Clearly we are living in challenging economic times. How‑ ever, dear friend, that is exactly the reason why Chabad needs your help now more than ever.

If you'd like to discuss giving op‑ portunities in person, please don't hesitate to contact Rabbi Eisenbach at: 860.567.3609.

Donate Online Now

Only with charitable contributions from caring individuals like you, can we continue to unconditionally help others.

We have been presented with an in‑ credible opportunity! To help us reach our goal of $118,000.00, a local family has made a very gener‑ ous matching gift offer!

For every gift to Chabad's Year End Campaign , they will give an equal amount up to $50,000 which will effectively double all new dona‑ tions! The response to our Year End Campaign has been great. We have already reached 33% of our goal!

But if you are a potential new donor to Chabad, please make a do‑ nation today!

Every Chabad Center is independ‑ ently run and operated. We rely wholly on the support of our local community and every dollar raised is spent here in Northwest Con‑ necticut. Every day, more and more families find a warm, welcoming, second home at Chabad. We must keep the light on for them!

There's no better bang for the buck than a gift to Chabad. Please, take advantage of this generous offer

You can donate online right now by completing our secure credit card donation page: www.chabadNW .org/donate Donate by Mail and partner with Chabad today. It's double or nothing ‑ so make it a double!

On behalf of all the people who rely on your kindness, we thank you for your support and wish you and yours much continued success in all of your endeavors coupled with good health, nachas and prosperity.

Thank you for being our partner.

Our Sages teach us that those who help others are repaid tenfold. In the merit of your kindness, may G‑ d bestow abundant blessings for you and your entire family.

May the ever increasing light of Chanukah bring ever greater light into your lives, illuminating the world with wis‑ dom, goodness and kindness.

With warm personal regards, Sincerely, Rabbi Joseph I. & Mina Eisenbach

Send your contribution to: Chabad Lubavitch POB 127 Litchfield, CT 06759 Donate Property Do you have a piece of land or property that is accruing taxes at an alarming rate?

Why don't you turn it into a great investment and receive a well‑de‑ served tax deduction.

Gifts of Stocks or Securities A gift of appreciated stock or secu‑ rities will go a long way to help Chabad, as well as provide you with a significant income tax deduction for the full market value of the stock.

Donate a Car Chabad accepts donations of cars, in fair or good condition. If you need your vehicle to be picked up we will do that for you at no cost.

Jewish News

OUR MAILBOX Dear Rabbi,

There are many things to thank you for. The most important is your friendship to my mother and father. You enriched their lives and they were happier and more fulfilled people because of you.

You should also know that many people at Dadʼs funeral had some very serious compliments about your service and content of your comments. P and I are very appre‑ ciative of the way you handled everything. And I will not forget your visit with Dad and me at 11:00 pm – 1:00 am. You are an amazing man and it is a privilege to know you. Of course the deliv‑ ery of Challah followed by a toast with scotch wasnʼt too shabby.

P & I thank you and Mina for the holiday dinner we shared. Your children are wonderful and fun and we only wish you and your family health and happiness.

With warmest regards, R.K. Middlebury, CT Dear Rabbi Eisenbach, M and I want to thank you for your effort in getting a minyan at our home so we could say Kaddish in memory of her father. Please find enclosed a check for $_ to Chabad. Also, I am enclosing a check for $18 for yizkor.

Best regards, M.D. Cheshire, CT

N.M. from Goshen, CT was moving to Washington, DC and the ad‑ dress for spiritual and material help and networking is always Chabad.

Rabbi Shemtov, Thank you for inviting me to stay for dinner on Friday night. You and your wife were excellent hosts and the food was superb. All of your guests were very welcoming to me and I had some great con‑ versations with them.

Thank you.

Dear Rabbi,

Dear Rabbi Eisenbach,

Thank you for including H in the services when we attend. It is so meaningful for both of us. As you know, I was brought up in a re‑ form temple and was able to par‑ ticipate and receive honors. It means a lot to me that you are so supportive of H. Because of you and Mina, my son is a proud Jew. I have sent a small check in hopes that you can use it toward prayer books.

We would like to take this oppor‑ tunity yo thank you for taking time out of your schedule and vis‑ iting us at St. Mary's Hospital and River Glen Rehabilitation Center on several occasions and your prayers for our well being and speedy recovery!

Hopefully, I can send another do‑ nation before the end of the year.

Please send my best to Mina.

For both Rabbi Shemtov and Rabbi Eisenbach ‑ I greatly appreciate your help with my job search and I hope that one day I'll be able to repay you for all of your kindness and support. Thank you.

All the best, N.M.

Sincerely, E.P. Waterbury, CT

In response to one of Chabadʼs weekly emails entitled: Why does G‑d make it so hard for me to be a good Jew?

Please accept the enclosed of $__ contribution to Chabad of North‑ west CT, as an acknowledgement and a gesture of our appreciation for your visits, kindness, as well as your well wishes & prayers!!

May G‑d bless you, your entire family, and loved ones with the best of health, happiness, long life & properity, as well best of every‑ thing your heart desires!!

Regards, F.S. Southbury, CT

Dear Rabbi Joseph, Hi Mina, We want to thank you and the Rabbi again for a wonderful Shab‑ bos. It was so warming and lovely to be with you and your family.

Thanks again for making me an honorary Bubbe for the evening.

What a joy!!!!!

And dinner was delicious!!!

L.M., Morris, CT

The answer is (soft drum roll please): I think I am.

However, one would have to ask that of G‑d. G‑d knows. I'm preju‑ dice. Bet G‑d would r o a r that you are, too. Should I get the chance before you, I'll ask.

Stay tuned.

Your friend and admirer, R.M. Southbury, CT

Dear Rabbi & Family, Thank you for the Challah!

Thank you for the kindness you have shown me during my difficult time.

May you, Mina, and your family have a good, healthy year!

Love, S.G. Torrington, CT

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CHABAD SUKKAFEST

The Jabali African Acrobats from Kenya, performed @ the Chabad Of Northwest CT Sukkahfest following an evening of kosher food and fun for the children in attendance. the Jabali African Acrobats performed. Nestor Fondo and his four compatriots are all from Kenya, Africa and have been per‑ forming together for five years doing fairs, festivals, colleges and halftime shows for sporting events.

The group demonstrated its acrobatic prowess by creating a human pyramid, balancing head‑first on chairs stacked over 10‑feet high, juggling and more. The Jabali group members invited members of the audience to limbo with them and help with hat juggling. The acrobats also showed off some impressive moves while leaping over a jump rope.

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CHABAD GOES PINK

On October 26, Chabad held an event in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Attendees heard from a first hand account from a breast cancer survivor. John Boiano of Pulse Integration led a drum circle where all ages were invited to participate. 100% of the evenings profits were do‑ nated to Sharsheret, a national not‑for‑profit organization supporting young Jewish women and their families facing breast cancer.

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Jewish News Continued from cover at 4pm. Chabad Lubavitch of North‑ west Connecticut is entering its eighteenth year of community serv‑ ice being provided to Litchfield County, the Southbury area and the city of Waterbury. Awards will be presented to Joe Connolly and Richark K. Merrell Jr. in recognition of their involvement on behalf of the community.

"Chabad Lubavitch exercises the universal motto 'people helping people,' no matter race, color or re‑ ligion," says Rabbi Joseph I. Eisen‑ bach. "We have seen the community respond, in astonishing ways to our educational, social and arts programs." Joe Connolly, Chief Marketing and Government Rela‑ tions Officer of Saint Maryʼs Hospi‑ tal will be receiving the Community Service Award Man of the Year award. Joe has made Saint Maryʼs Hospital a welcome and caring place for people of all faiths and backgrounds.

A native of Naugatuck, Connolly re‑ ceived his M.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Connecticut School of Business and holds a B.S. in Mass Communication from Boston University. Prior to arriving at Saint Maryʼs, he served as presi‑ dent and creative director of his own full‑service marketing com‑ pany, which grew to produce fee‑ based revenues of over $1 million annually.

Connolly currently serves as chair‑

man of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Healthcare Council. He is Vice Chairman of the board of directors of Wellpath in Waterbury, a nonprofit regional center that provides behavioral healthcare services to children and families. He also serves on the board of Naugatuck Economic De‑ velopment Corporation and on the Campaign Leadership Council of United Way of Greater Waterbury.

He and his wife, Paula, Richard K. Merrell Jr. will be receiving the Lamplighter Award posthumously for being a staunch supporter of Chabad for over a decade.

Kendall Merrell Sr. and Barbara Louise Moody. Rick attended Syra‑ cuse University School of Architec‑ ture and after his marriage he attended Boston Architectural Cen‑ ter. He practiced architecture in Waterbury for over 30 years, after starting his practice in Worcester, Massachusetts. As a Renaissance man, he also restored an original 1790 building and was the propri‑ etor of The Olde Rowley Inn in North Waterford, Maine. He loved designing and personally saving unloved homes in many communi‑ ties from Massachusetts, New Mex‑ ico, Maine and of course Connecticut. His love of travel was undeniable and brought him to many exotic and wondrous places.

Rick served on the board of Direc‑ tors for Living In Safe Alternatives in Wolcott, a home for abused girls,

for whom he received the Sister Mary Amanda Award in 2001. Wa‑ terbury was the beneficiary of his designs of several homes built for Habitat for Humanity. Rick passed from this world in March of this year but will be remembered for his many charitable contributions, and for touching the lives of many.

"We are blessed to have such unique people living in our midst, who really exemplify the meaning of selflessly caring for others," says Rabbi Joseph I. Eisenbach.

Entertainment for the event will be the # 1 Chassidic pop artist, Benny Friedman who will be performing a live show. Benny Friedman began his career at his Bar Mitzvah, at the age of 13 and follows his renowned musical uncle Avraham Freid, one of todayʼs most accomplished Jew‑ ish singers in the world. Each of them has released best‑selling al‑ bums and perform around the world to great acclaim. Friedman spent four years working with elite Hollywood vocal coach Seth Riggs and Jewish music lovers every‑ where are buzzing about the tal‑ ented newcomer with the golden voice. Bennyʼs performance prom‑ ises to be an incredible evening of Hasidic pop music.

Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest Connecticut's mission is to reach out to others with acts of goodness and kindness. Chabad is a commu‑ nity‑based non profit organization whose efforts are rooted in tradi‑

tional Jewish values ‑ and many of its programs help the needy regard‑ less of background or belief.

Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest Connecticut never stops respond‑ ing to the call of the soul. Indeed, people helping people is not an item on the agenda. It is the agenda.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Chabad Lubavitch is part of the largest Jewish organization in the world, with over 2,700 branches spanning the globe. Chabad em‑ braces a philosophy of study, medi‑ tation, and social outreach that combines rigorous academics with active community involvement.

Chabad's growing array of educa‑ tional and social services programs has made it one of the most dy‑ namic forces in modern life.

'Chabad' is a Hebrew acronym for 'Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge,' and Lubavitch is the town in White Russia where the movement was based for more than a century. (The word 'Lubavitch' ac‑ tually means 'brotherly love,' which is emblematic of the dedication that characterizes Chabad Lubavitch and its representatives.) Founded in 1772 by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, Chabad promotes the mysti‑ cal, traditional, legal and social principles of the Torah ‑‑ while using modern methods and tech‑ nology for education, community outreach, crisis intervention, and other social services.

Chabad has consistently been at the Continued on page 12

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Jewish News Continued from cover

JOIN CHABAD IN BRIGHTENING UP NORTHWEST CT Golden Age Chanukah Parties

3:00pm: Meridian Manor 1132 Meriden Rd Waterbury, CT

10:30am: Geer Village 77 S Canaan Rd Canaan, CT

4:00pm: The Village at E. Farms 180 Scott Road Waterbury, CT

11:30am: Morning Star Retirement Home

6:00pm: Elton Residential Care Home 30 W Main St Waterbury, CT

Monday December 2, 2013

38 Elizabeth Street Kent, CT 1:30pm: Village Crest 19 Poplar St. New Milford, CT

Wednesday December 4, 2013

2:30pm: Candlewood Valley 30 Park Lane East New Milford, CT

10:30am: Paradigm Healthcare Ctr 25 Royal Crest Road Prospect, CT

Waterbury Community Menorah Lighting

12:30pm: White Oak Manor Rest Home

Join us as we light Waterburyʼs tallest Menorah.

2:00pm: Riverglen Health Care Ctr 162 S. Britain Road Southbury, CT

Complimentary hot Starbucks cof‑ fee and chocolate donuts will be provided for all.

Come meet Judah Maccabee who will be distributing chocolate Chanukah Gelt.

Tuesday December 3, 2013 Golden Age Chanukah Parties

Golden Age Chanukah Party

688 Main Street North Southbury, CT

6:45 pm: Wolcott Community Menorah Lighting Join Mayor Tom Dunn as he lights Wolcott's Town Menorah.

Complimentary hot Starbucks cof‑ fee and chocolate donuts will be provided for all.

Come meet Judah Maccabee who 10:00am: Grove Manor Nursing Home will be distributing chocolate Chanukah Gelt.

145 Grove Street Waterbury, CT Wolcott Town Green Center Rd. 1:30pm: Abbott Terrace Wolcott, CT 06716 44 Abbott Terrace Waterbury, CT

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Jewish News

SALUTE TO ISRAEL & CHANUKAH CONCERT

FEATURING A MIX OF ISRAELI AND POPULAR JEWISH MUSIC LED BY ISRAELI STAR SANDY SHMUELY (Northwest CT) The Salute to Is‑ rael & Chanukah Concert featur‑ ing Israeli star Sandy Shmuely will be held on Saturday Novem‑ ber 30, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 1284Strongtown Road in Southbury, CT. Sandy Shmuely is an Israeli singer and composer who began his professional career as a mem‑ ber of the military North Com‑ mand Entertainment Group stationed in the Golan Heights.

Sandy is now a recording artist who has performed in the United States, Canada, Israel, Europe and South America. His unique style gives listeners a perform‑ ance of tenderness and strength.

His high spirits and incredible energy invites audience partici‑ pation and creates a wonderful

feeling of community celebra‑ tion.

Enjoy an interactive musical jour‑ ney from the ancients cobble stoned streets of Jerusalem to the winding roads of the shtetl.

Sing along to your old Yiddish fa‑ vorites, and get up and dance to modern Israeli classics. Sandy brings Jewish music to life with an eclectic mix of tunes that will have you singing and dancing along in no time at all.

Tickets For tickets please visit: www.chabadNW.org/concert or call 1.800.297.6864.

This program is sponsored by Chabad Lubavitch of the North‑ west Connecticut as part of its ongoing educational and cultural activities.

Jewish News 11

Jewish News Continued from cover "This is a very historic time for the town of Litchfield," Rabbi Joseph Eisenbach of Chabad said. "I think it is beautiful that the commission voted in our favor and we hope the spirit will continue of true love and inclusiveness."

Practically speaking this means is that the basic layout of the facility does not infringe on the Borough's idea of how the exterior of buildings in the historic district should look.

The largest changes are additional parking to be added in the rear, storm drainage and screening im‑ provements and a loop driveway with reduced width.

Chabad is blessed to have Mr. Mark Greenberg as a supporter. Greenberg wanted to dedicate something in memory of his mother Liorah. Green‑ berg had the vision to have a self‑ standing synagogue in the center of town.

“Liorah Greenbergʼs life was chil‑ dren,” said Rabbi Eisenbach. “She and her husband Jerry, may he live and be well, dedicated their life to their family and the famous camp Birch‑ wood. It befits to have our children school carry her name. Every time a mitzvah is done in the Hebrew school, will be an elevation to her memory.”

Since 1996, Chabad of Northwest Connecticut has been a beacon at the crossroads serving the religious, ed‑ ucational, social and pastoral needs of thousands. Chabad has provided the area with a vibrant, inclusive

12 Jewish News

Continued from page 9 community in which they are un‑ equivocally accepted and embraced.

The Chabad Community Center has grown tremendously over the past few years in many ways. In fact, it has become a victim of its own suc‑ cess. The present facility can no longer accommodate the growing number of Hebrew School students, holiday participants, and those wish‑ ing to join the ever growing roster of activities and services.

In response, the Chabad Center is under construction. This first phase in of the building will allow Chabad to continue help the community to be inspired and educated and culti‑ vate a pride in their identity.

However, the Chabad Community Center is not funded by any central organization.

Every penny of this capital campaign as well as the operating budget must be raised independently within the community.

Chabad is turning to the community at large for support.

A beautiful book with dedication op‑ portunities has been created. Inter‑ ested donors can e‑mail info@chabadNW.org to receive a copy.

Please consider making a substantial gift towards this building through this secure website chabadNW.org/ donate or feel free to contact Rabbi Joseph I. Eisenbach at rabbi@ chabadnw .org to set up a personal meeting.

forefront of education and com‑ munity activism. The work of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe who assumed leadership of the movement in 1950, is leg‑ endary. Motivated by a profound love for humanity and spurred by boundless optimism, the Rebbe lifted the global community from the ashes of the Holocaust and launched an unprecedented range of institutions, outreach programs and social services.

Around the globe, more than 4,600 of the Rebbe's emissaries and a workhorse of over 20,000 continue his mission to create a world of goodness, kindness and G‑dliness.

For more information about Chabad Lubavitch or to partici‑ pate in the Community Awards Dinner, please log on to: www.theDinner.org or contact the dinner office at 800.297.6864 or email dinner@chabadnw.org

Jewish News

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It was the first night of Chanuka.

Rabbi Baruch of Mezibuz, the son of the Baal Shem Tov, stood with a group of his Chasidim. With great concentration, he said the blessing over kindling the Chanuka lights and lit the first candle.

The Chanuka candle was burning steadily when Rabbi Baruch and his Chasidim sat down around the menora to sing Chanuka melodies.

Suddenly, the flame began to shake and leap.

It seemed to dance around in irrita‑ tion. And then, the flame just disap‑ peared. The candle didn't go out; no smoke arose. It was as if the flame flew away to another place.

The Rebbe's assistant stood up to relight the Chanuka candles. But the Rebbe stopped him.

"Rebbe, the flame has returned!"

Within moments, the group heard the faint sounds of a wagon. One of the Rebbe's chasidim entered the house. His clothes were torn, his hair disheveled, it was obviously painful for him to walk. But in di‑ rect contrast to his appearance, his eyes shone with happiness.

"Just a few days ago, I left my house to come to our holy Rebbe for the Chanuka festival," began the chasid. "This is not the first time I have come to the Rebbe, and I know the way well from my many jour‑ neys. But this time, my traveling was very slow. I became worried that I would not arrive in time so I decided to travel day and night and eventually I would reach Mezibuz.

Rabbi Baruch instructed his Cha‑ sidim to continue singing and dis‑ cussion Torah thoughts.

"This was a foolish thing to do. But I realized that too late. Last night, a gang of bandits stopped me. They were overjoyed to find me. They were certain that if I was traveling at night I must be a very successful merchant who had important busi‑ ness to attend to which could not wait. They insisted that I give them all of my money.

Close to midnight, a cry startled everyone. The Chasid who was sit‑ ting next to the menora called out,

"They would not believe me when I told them I only had the few coins which were in my bag.

"The Chanuka flame will return to us," he told his surprised Chasidim.

"It has gone on an important mis‑ sion," said the Rebbe quietly, mys‑ teriously.

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They cross‑examined me and tor‑ tured me so that I would reveal where the rest of my money was. I, of course, had nothing to tell them.

"After many hours of torture they sent me to a dark cellar. When their leader came to me, I tried to explain to him the great joy that one expe‑ riences when with the Rebbe and how important it had been to me to be with the Rebbe for Chanuka. It would seem that my words entered his heart or, perhaps, after he saw that all the tortures were futile, he began to believe me. Whatever the case, he told me: " 'I see that you are a person who believes in G‑d and longs for his rabbi. Go on your way. But be ad‑ vised that the path through this for‑ est is very dangerous. It is filled with wild beasts. Even we do not travel through it alone. " 'If you succeed in making it through the forest, take your hand‑ kerchief and throw it in the ditch on the side of the road just after the signpost for the city. I will send a messenger tomorrow to see if it is there. In this way I will know that you have reached your destination.

And, if you have, I promise you that I will leave my band of robbers and

change my ways.'

"I became frightened anew. But what choice did I have? When I thought of lighting the Chanuka candles with the Rebbe, though, I was strengthened. I retrieved my horse and wagon and resumed my journey through the pitch‑black forest.

"Not long after I began traveling, I saw ahead of me a pack of wild wolves. My horse refused to go any further. Suddenly, a tiny flame ap‑ peared in front of my horse and began leaping about. The flame went forward and the horse ad‑ vanced. The rest of the way, the an‑ imals on all sides ran from before us as if the flame drove them away.

"This flame was with me until I ar‑ rived here. I threw my handker‑ chief in the ditch, and who knows?

Maybe in the merit of this Chanuka candle, the band of criminals will return to a better path.

The Chasid finished his story. And so the group of Chasidim under‑ stood to where their Rebbe's Chanuka flame had mysteriously disappeared.

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CHANUKAH ON THE SLOPES (Northwest CT) Hundreds of people from all walks of life are expected to converge on the Woodbury Ski Area to celebrate Chanukah at 13TH annual "Chanukah on the Slopes" on Sunday, December 1, 2013, from 12:00 ‑ 7:00 p.m.

The slopes will shine with the spirit of Chanukah. Revelers of all ages will enjoy snow sports including skiing, tubing and snowboarding.

Also featured will a giant ice Meno‑ rah lighting at 4:30 p.m., live enter‑ tainment with Jewish music and dancing. Kosher food will be for sale and participants will get a chance to create holiday crafts.

An ancient day "Judah Macabee" will be on hand to greet youngsters and their families and distribute free gifts.

"We try to come up with creative ways to celebrate our holidays to make it more relevant to those whole may feel somewhat detached from their Jewishness or from a hol‑ iday which happened long ago," said Rabbi Joseph Eisenbach, founder of the event.

Himself an avid skier and past ski instructor in the Austrian Alps, Eisenbach looks forward to the event with an excitement that is

contagious. People should expect to have a wonderful time and to bring along the whole family as there are activities for every age group.

One of the unique aspects of Chanukah is the mitzvah of publiciz‑ ing the miracle which took place.

This is the reason why people place their lit menorahs in windows for all to see.

Chanukah on the Slopes, a huge event, can achieve the desired effect of spreading the message of Chanukah; of freedom, of good pre‑ siding over evil, of light dispelling darkness, and of the liberty to ex‑ press oneself ethically, culturally and religiously.

In essence, Chanukah is an indication of the di‑ versity and pluralism that is so im‑ portant to our society.

Chanukah on the Slopes will be held at the Woodbury Ski Area (wood‑ buryskiarea.com) on Route 47 in Woodbury, CT. Admission is free, however charges apply for snow sports, food and crafts. For more information, please call 800.297.6864 or visit us at www.skichanukah.org Chanukah on the Slopes is another project of Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest Connecticut.

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ASK THE RABBI Question: What is the reason for the Public Menorah?

Answer: See the Light For all Jewish holidays there is a mandate to celebrate the miracle.

Enters Chanukah and an addi‑ tional mandate is in order: publi‑ cize the miracle.

When the Rabbis first instituted the holiday of Chanukah, they in‑ stituted it with this injunction; and ever since, Chanukah has become synonymous with public display.

Although the Mitzvah is to light the Menorah at home with your family, traditionally it is placed in a doorway or window, to publicize the miracle of Chanukah to the largest possible audience.

Because publicity is an essential part of the this holiday.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe initiated a campaign to further publicize this miracle.

In this day and age when people spend increasingly more time out‑ side of the home, the Rebbe en‑ couraged Jews to bring the light, warmth, and miraculous message of Chanukah right into the public thoroughfares.

But Why Out of all the holidays why was Chanukah selected for "Publiciz‑ ing the Miracle"?

Hereʼs a thought: the cause for other holidays is that we were threatened, in danger, or in need.

A miracle happened and we were helped. As a result of the miracle wecontinue to exist. Since the mir‑ acle happened to save us, it is we who celebrate.

The Chanukah miracle was slightly different. The Greeks didnʼt threaten us per se; they threatened the idea of a miracle.

They didnʼt mind if Jews lived or observed Jewish practices as long as it was seen as another culture, and not a Divine mandate. They didnʼt believe in holiness, G‑d, or miracles. So a miracle happened to save the miracle.

Therefore, it is the miracle that must celebrate. And its celebration is having people know it exists.

So go ahead, help the miracle cel‑ ebrate. Bring a Menorah to your office, display one at your Chanukah parties, and ask for one to be placed in your local mall and public squares.

Question: Whatʼs the kabbalistic deal on the Menorah?

Answer: The Chanukah Menorah is identi‑ fied with the Divine revelation which will be experienced during the era of theMoshiach. The eight lights represent eight expressions

of the Divine name of G‑d as enu‑ merated in the book ofSamuel.1 This level eight supersedes nature and combats the forces of evil.

Seven is a natural number. There are seven days of the week, seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot, seven years in a sabbati‑ cal cycle, and seven sabbatical cy‑ cles in a jubilee cycle. The length of time here on earth will be seven millennia. Eight indicates a Divine light which is higher than nature.

By lighting the Chanukah meno‑ rah we draw down an overpower‑ ing revelation of G‑d which cancels the effects of the forces of evil.

It is for this reason that the Chanukah menorah is placed on the left side of the door opposite the Mezuzah facing out to the reshut harabim (public domain).

The left side corresponds to divine severities. These severities are the source of the forces of evil (even evil is created by G‑d). The reshut harabim, literally meaning the area of the many, represents the many levels of the forces of evil.

We direct the light from the reshut hayachid, literally the “domain of one” or private area – an expres‑ sion of the one level of divine holi‑ ness, to nullify the forces of evil – shining them up, so to speak, so that the many is transformed into the one.

The Greeks did not want to kill the Jews. They wanted the Jews to give up the notion of Holiness. The

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oil in the Temple was not poured out, nor was it defiled by some gross act. The Greeks merely de‑ stroyed the seals on the bottles, destroying their presumed holi‑ ness. The holiday of Chanukah shows that the Jews were not de‑ feated spiritually but grew and be‑ came stronger.

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Jewish News

JEWISH FUNERAL PAGE DO JEWISH WRITINGS SUPPORT THE IDEA OF AN AFTERLIFE? The Short Answer: Talmudic and post Talmudic writ‑ ings clearly mention the afterlife.

The Torah makes no mention of it.

(Why? And does the fact that the Torah doesn't prohibit a belief com‑ mon to those times indicate any‑ thing? Read on...)

The Long Answer: While it is a noble ideal to do good for the sake of good alone, there are those who pretend that immor‑ tality of the soul is not a Jewish concern or belief. This position is difficult to support from an objec‑ tive standpoint: 1. The Biblical Period: Any student of ancient history would find it pre‑ posterous to imagine that a people born out of the cradle of Mesopotamia and Egypt, living in the land of Canaan, would not be profoundly familiar with belief in survival of the soul. A rejection of this belief would have to be made at least as forcefully as pantheism, idolatry and promiscuity are pro‑ scribed in the Bible.

In fact, we see quite the contrary, that a strong conviction to this idea is repeatedly implied both in ac‑ tions and in words. Abraham is told by the Lord that he will "rest with his people"‑‑although he left them all behind when he came to Canaan.

An entire chapter deals with his concern for Sarah's burial. Simi‑ larly, both Jacob and Joseph are concerned that they should be buried "with their fathers."

One must ask, if the afterlife is of no concern, why trouble your chil‑ dren with matters of burial to such an extreme? Rather, it makes more sense to say that the Bible does not discuss these matters in detail sim‑ ply because it is not necessary to teach that which is common knowl‑ edge.

Additionally, the Bible is not a book of esoteric knowledge, it is a revo‑ lutionary document that serves as an eternal "everyman's guide" for everyday life, here and now. As for

the details of the afterlife, esoteric Jewish tradition was generally transmitted not in written, but in oral form.

2. The Talmudic period: The Mish‑ nah and Talmud are a pool of Jew‑ ish legalities, ritual and common belief from a period of about 800 years, from the times of the Second Commonwealth until the fall of the Roman Empire. It has been the basis of Jewish practice and law ever since.

It is replete with reference to judge‑ ment and reward in the afterlife, with even a few stories about those who went there and came back to tell us about it. The Talmud insists that a convert be warned that most of reward and punishment will not be in this world, lest he be quickly disillusioned.

There is mention of those students who dissented from the main‑ stream and rejected the concept of reward and punishment. These are the Sadducees, the forerunners of the Karaites, who rejected anything not explicitly stated in the Scrip‑ tures. The talmudic sages took great efforts to rebuke these people and separate themselves from them, declaring that they had lost their share in the G‑d of Israel and in the world to come.

3. Judaism of the Diaspora: Main‑ stream Judaism universally em‑ braced Maimonides' 13 Fundamentals of the Faith, which most European liturgies include as part of the daily service.

Consider these two: "I believe with perfect faith that G‑ d rewards those who keep His com‑ mandments, and punishes those who transgress Him."

phers and mystics discuss the jour‑ ney of the soul after its separation from the body in great detail.4 4. The Theological Argument: As stated, Jewish theologians have al‑ ways considered good actions with no ulterior motives a noble virtue to strive towards. Nevertheless, confidence that our G‑d is one who rewards those who do His will is a crucial element. What would you think of an employer who demands you do his work under extremely challenging circumstances, while informing you not to expect any re‑ ward? Could our people have sur‑ vived the tribulations and overwhelming challenges of our 2,000 year exile with such an atti‑ tude?

It has always been the faith of our grandparents and great‑grandpar‑ ents through all their travails, that each of our good deeds has an ever‑ lasting effect on our souls and on the world, that our ancestors are up there in Gan Eden helping us out, and that one time we will all reap the fruits of our labors. Those be‑ liefs stand at the rock‑bottom of the Jewish soul.

MY 6 YEAR OLD ASKED, "WHY DOES G‑D MAKE PEOPLE DIE?" HOW DO I ANSWER HER?

Answer: Ask your child if s/he knows some‑ one who moved from one city to an‑ other, or from one school to another. You can explain that some‑ times people move because what they needed to do in the first loca‑ tion finished ‑ for example, some‑ one moving to a different school, because s/he finished all the grade levels at the first school.

So too, G‑d sends people down here to earth to because He wants them to learn and accomplish things, and when they are done, their soul leaves their bodies to move to a dif‑ ferent place.

Also, just as someone misses a friend who moves away, we also miss people who leave this world when they die. To a friend who moves to another city, we can send letters, pictures and packages. This makes our 'pen‑pal' very happy. To a soul who left this world we send good deeds and acts of kindness that we do in their merit, which also makes these souls very happy in their new place.

We hope our moved‑away friend will come and visit us in our city or our school. We wait to see loved one who passed away back here with us again when Moshiach comes!

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"I believe with perfect faith that the dead will be brought back to life when G‑d wills it to happen."

A superficial glance through the standard liturgy is enough to as‑ sure us that the afterlife, the world to come and the eventual resurrec‑ tion are pervasive concepts of the Jewish psyche.

Furthermore, many of the highly popular and universally respected works of classic Jewish philoso‑

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A CHANUKAH GUIDE NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 5, 2013 24 KISLEV ‑ 2 TEVET, 5774

as well. The candles of a menorah must be of equal height in a straight row.

Me‑lech Ha‑olam A‑sher Ki‑de‑ sha‑nu Be‑mitzvotav Ve‑tzi‑va‑nu Le‑had‑lik Ner Cha‑nu‑kah.

The Chanukah Lights should be kindled at nightfall on each of the eight nights of Chanukah begin‑ ning with the night of Wednesday November 27, 2013.

The shamash, the servant candle that kindles the other lights, should stand out from the rest (i.e. higher or lower).

2. Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who per‑ formed miracles for our forefa‑ thers in those days, at this time.

The Chanukah Lights must burn for at least half an hour each night. Be‑ fore kindling the lights, make sure that there is enough oil (or if can‑ dles are used, that they are big enough) to last half an hour.

2. Ba‑ruch A‑tah Ado‑nai E‑lo‑hei‑nu Me‑lech Ha‑olam She‑a‑sa Ni‑sim La‑avo‑te‑nu Ba‑ya‑mim Ha‑hem Bi‑z'man Ha‑zeh.

What follows is a brief, step‑by‑step guide to Chanukah observance.

Who Lights The Menorah All members of the family should be present at the kindling of the Chanukah Menorah. Children should be encouraged to light their own Menorahs. Students and sin‑ gles who live in dormitories or their own apartments should kindle menorahs in their own rooms.

Where To Place The Menorah Many have the custom to place the menorah in a doorway opposite the mezuzah (such is the custom of Chabad‑Lubavitch) so that the two mitzvot of mezuzah and Chanukah surround the person. Others place it on a window sill facing a public thorough‑fare.

Setting Up Your Menorah

How to Light The Menorah On the first night of Chanukah one light is kindled on the right side of the Menorah, on the following night add a second light to the left of the first and kindle the new light first proceeding from left to right, and so on each night.

Blessings To Recite Before Light‑ ing The Menorah On the first night of Chanukah, Wednesday November 27, 2013, recite all three blessings. On all sub‑ sequent nights, recite blessings number 1 and 2.

It is preferable to use cotton wicks in olive oil, or paraffin candles, in amounts large enough to burn until half an hour after nightfall.

1. Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His command‑ ments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.

If not, regular candles can be used

1. Ba‑ruch A‑tah Ado‑nai E‑lo‑he‑nu

3. Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occa‑ sion.

3. Ba‑ruch A‑tah Ado‑nai E‑lo‑he‑nu Me‑lech Ha‑olam She‑heche‑ya‑ nu Ve‑ki‑yi‑manu Ve‑higi‑a‑nu Liz‑man Ha‑zeh.

After kindling the lights, the Hanerot Halalu prayer is recited.

Special Shabbat Requirements On Friday eve, November 29, 2013, the Chanukah Lights should be kin‑ dled early, before the Shabbat Lights (which are lit 18 minutes be‑ fore sundown). Additional oil or larger candles should be used for the Chanukah Lights to make sure they will last a full half hour after nightfall.

Note: From the time the Shabbat candles are lit (Friday evening)

until Shabbat ends (after nightfall Saturday night) and the Havdalah prayer (separating Shabbat from weekday) is recited, the Chanukah menorah should not be re‑lit, moved or prepared.

Chanukah lights for Saturday night (second Chanukah night) are kin‑ dled only after Shabbat ends (after nightfall).

Sitting by the Lights One is not to benefit from the light of the candles, only from the shamash and other sources of light.

During the time the candles are burning, it is customary to sit by the candles, and tell stories relating to the holiday.

Work should not be done in the proximity of the burning candles.

Some women have a custom to re‑ frain from household work during the half hour that the lights are burning, to honor the brave Jewish women who played a significant role in the Chanukah story.

More Chanukah Prayers During the eight days of Chanukah, we recite the Al HaNissim liturgy in the Amidah (daily silent prayer) and in Grace After Meals.

The complete Hallel prayer (see your prayerbook) is also said in the morning service.

Jewish News 21

Jewish News

A CHANUKAH GUIDE A portion of the Torah is read daily in the Synagogue during morning prayers.

Extra Charity It is customary to increase one's daily giving to charity. On Fridays we give double the amount, to ac‑ count for Shabbat.

Chanukah Gelt It is traditional to give all children Chanukah gelt (money).

CNTD

Miracle Happened There.ʼ HOW TO PLAY 1. Each player starts with 10 to‑ kens (pennies, chocolate coins, nuts, raisins, etc.).

2. Each player puts one token in the "pot" (middle).

3. Each player spins the dreidel in turn. The letter thatʼs facing up when the dreidel stops tells the player what to do (see below).

THE STORY OF CHANUKAH Under Syrian Rule More than 2000 years ago there was a time when the land of Israel‑ was part of the Syrian‑Greek Em‑ pire, dominated by Syrian rulers of the dynasty of the Seleucids.

Of course, this beautiful custom adds to the children's happiness and festive spirit. In addition, it gives adults an opportunity to give the children positive reinforcement for exemplary behavior, such as diligence in their studies, and acts of charity.

4. The player with the most tokens at the end wins.

Chanukah Gelt is given after light‑ ing the menorah. Children should be encouraged to give charity from a portion of their money.

HAY – Half. The player takes half the pot.

The Dreidel

Holiday Foods

Because learning Torah was pun‑ ishable by death, the Jews would hide in the caves to study. If found by soldiers, they would pull out their dreidels and pretend they were just playing a game. We re‑ mind ourselves of their courage by playing dreidel today.

Because of the great significance of oil in the story of the Chanukah miracle, it is traditional to serve foods cooked in oil. Among the most popular Chanukah dishes are potato latkes (pancakes) and suf‑ ganiot (doughnuts).

In order to relate the story that led up to Chanukah, we shall start withAntiochus III, the King of Syria, who reigned from 3538 to 3574 (222‑186 B.C.E.). He had waged war with King Ptolemy of Egypt over the possession of the Land of Israel. Antiochus III was victorious and the Land of Israel was annexed to his empire. At the beginning of his reign he was fa‑ vorably disposed toward the Jews and accorded them some privi‑ leges. Later on, however, when he was beaten by the Romans and compelled to pay heavy taxes, the burden fell upon the various peo‑ ples of his empire who were forced to furnish the heavy gold that was required of him by the Romans.

When Antiochus died, his son Se‑ leucus IV took over, and further op‑ pressed the Jews.

It is also customary to eat cheese on Chanukah, in commemoration of the bravery of Yehudit.

Added to the troubles from the out‑ side were the grave perils that threatened Judaism from within.

The four letter on the sides of the dreidels are NUN, GIMMEL, HAY and SHIN. They stand for ʻA Great

22 Jewish News

NUN – Nothing. The next player spins.

GIMMEL – All. The player takes all the tokens in the pot and everyone puts another token in.

SHIN – Put. The player puts one token in the pot.

The influence of the Hellenists (people who accepted idol‑worship and the Syrian way of life) was in‑ creasing. Yochanan, the High Priest, foresaw the danger to Ju‑ daism from the penetration of Syr‑ ian‑Greek influence into the Holy Land. For, in contrast to the ideal of outward beauty held by the Greeks and Syrians, Judaism em‑ phasizes truth and moral purity, as commanded by G‑d in the holy Torah. The Jewish people could never give up their faith in G‑d and accept the idol‑worship of the Syr‑ ians.

Yochanan was therefore opposed to any attempt on the part of the Jewish Hellenists to introduce Greek and Syrian customs into the land. The Hellenists hated him. One of them told the Kingʼs commis‑ sioner that in the treasury of the Temple there was a great deal of wealth.

The wealth in the treasury con‑ sisted of the contributions of "half ashekel" made by all adult Jews an‑ nually. That was given for the pur‑ pose of the sacrifices on the altar, as well as for fixing and improving the Temple building. Another part

Jewish News of the treasury consisted of or‑ phansʼ funds which were deposited for them until they became of age.

Seleucus needed money in order to pay the Romans. He sent his minis‑ ter Helyodros to take the money from the treasury of the Temple. In vain did Yochanan, the High Priest, beg him not to do it. Helyodros did not listen and entered the gate of the Temple. But suddenly, he be‑ came pale with fright. The next mo‑ ment he fainted and fell to the ground. After Helyodros came to, he did not dare enter again.

The Madman: Antiochus A short time later, Seleucus was killed and his brother Antiochus IV began to reign over Syria (in 3586 ‑ 174 B.C.E.). He was a tyrant of a rash and impetuous nature, con‑ temptuous of religion and of the feelings of others. He was called "Epiphanes," meaning "the godsʼ beloved." Several of the Syrian rulers received similar titles. But a historian of his time, Polebius, gave him the epithet Epimanes ("mad‑ man"), a title more suitable to the character of this harsh and cruel king.

Desiring to unify his kingdom through the medium of a common religion and culture, Antiochus tried to root out the individualism of the Jews by suppressing all the Jewish Laws. He removed the right‑ eous High Priest, Yochanan, from the Temple in Jerusalem, and in his place installed Yochananʼs brother Joshua, who loved to call himself by the Greek name of Jason. For he

was a member of the Hellenist party, and he used his high office to spread more and more of the Greek customs among the priesthood.

Joshua or Jason was later replaced by another man, Menelaus, who had promised the king that he would bring in more money than Jason did. When Yochanan, the for‑ mer High Priest, protested against the spread of the Hellenistsʼ influ‑ ence in the Holy Temple, the ruling High Priest hired murderers to as‑ sassinate him.

Antiochus was at that time engaged in a successful war against Egypt.

But messengers from Rome arrived and commanded him to stop the war, and he had to yield. Mean‑ while, in Jerusalem, a rumor spread that a serious accident had befallen Antiochus. Thinking that he was dead, the people rebelled against Menelaus. The treacherous High Priest fled together with his friends.

The Martyrs Antiochus returned from Egypt en‑ raged by Roman interference with his ambitions. When he heard what had taken place in Jerusalem, he or‑ dered his army to fall upon the Jews. Thousands of Jews were killed. Antiochus then enacted a se‑ ries of harsh decrees against the Jews. Jewish worship was forbid‑ den; the scrolls of the Law were confiscated and burned. Sabbath rest, circumcision and the dietary laws were prohibited under penalty of death. Even one of the respected

elders of that generation, Rabbi Eliezer, a man of 90, was ordered by the servants of Antiochus to eat pork so that others would do the same. When he refused they sug‑ gested to him that he pick up the meat to his lips to appear to be eat‑ ing. But Rabbi Eliezer refused to do even that and was put to death.

There were thousands of others who likewise sacrificed their lives.

The famous story of Hannah and her seven children happened at that time.

Antiochusʼs men went from town to town and from village to village to force the inhabitants to worship pagan gods. Only one refuge area remained and that was the hills of Judea with their caves.

But even there did the Syrians pur‑ sue the faithful Jews, and many a Jew died a martyrʼs death.

Mattityahu One day the henchmen of Anti‑ ochus arrived in the village of Modin where Mattityahu, the old priest, lived. The Syrian officer built an altar in the marketplace of the village and demanded that Mat‑ tityahu offer sacrifices to the Greek gods. Mattityahu replied, "I, my sons and my brothers are deter‑ mined to remain loyal to the covenant which our G‑dmade with our ancestors!"

Thereupon, a Hellenistic Jew ap‑ proached the altar to offer a sacri‑ fice. Mattityahu grabbed his sword and killed him, and his sons and

friends fell upon the Syrian officers and men. They killed many of them and chased the rest away. They then destroyed the altar.

Mattityahu knew that Antiochus would be enraged when he heard what had happened. He would cer‑ tainly send an expedition to punish him and his followers. Mattityahu, therefore, left the village of Modin and fled together with his sons and friends to the hills of Judea.

All loyal and courageous Jews joined them. They formed legions and from time to time they left their hiding places to fall upon enemy detachments and outposts, and to destroy the pagan altars that were built by order of Antiochus.

The Maccabees Before his death, Mattityahu called his sons together and urged them to continue to fight in defense of G dʼs Torah. He asked them to follow the counsel of their brother Shimon the Wise. In waging warfare, he said, their leader should be Judah the Strong. Judah was called "Mac‑ cabee," a word composed of the ini‑ tial letters of the four Hebrew words Mi Kamocha Baʼeilim Hashem, "Who is like You, OG‑d."

Antiochus sent his General Apolo‑ nius to wipe out Yehuda and his fol‑ lowers, the Maccabees. Though greater in number and equipment than their adversaries, the Syrians were defeated by the Maccabees.

Antiochus sent out another expedi‑ tion which also was defeated. He re‑

Jewish News 23

Jewish News alized that only by sending a pow‑ erful army could he hope to defeat Judah and his brave fighting men.

An army consisting of more than 40,000 men swept the land under the leadership of two commanders, Nicanor and Gorgiash. When Judah and his brothers heard of that, they exclaimed: "Let us fight unto death in defense of our souls and our Temple!" The people assembled in Mitzpah, where Samuel, the prophet of old, had offered prayers to G‑d. After a series of battles the war was won.

The Dedication Now the Maccabees returned to Jerusalem to liberate it. They en‑ tered the Temple and cleared it of the idols placed there by the Syrian vandals. Judah and his followers built a new altar, which he dedi‑ cated on the twenty‑fifth of the month of Kislev, in the year 3622.

Since the golden Menorah had been stolen by the Syrians, the Maccabees now made one of cheaper metal. When they wanted to light it, they found only a small cruse of pure olive oil bearing the seal of the High Priest Yochanan. It was sufficient to light only for one day. By a miracle of G‑d, it contin‑ ued to burn for eight days, till new oil was made available. That mira‑ cle proved that G‑d had again taken His people under His protec‑ tion. In memory of this, our sages appointed these eight days for an‑ nual thanksgiving and for lighting candles.

YEHUDIT

It is not clearly known when the story which we are about to tell actually took place. The story first appeared in a very ancient book named after the heroine,Yehudit (Judith), and it was written in Hebrew. However, the original text was lost, and only a Greek translation remained, and not a very accurate one at that.

The town of Bethulia, in the land of Judea, came under siege by Holofernes, a mighty Syrian‑Greek general, at the head of a huge army who was notorious for his cruelty.

When he captured a rebel strong‑ hold, he showed no mercy to the men, women and children shel‑ tered there.

Now he was determined to crush the rebellion of the town of Bethu‑ lia, whose inhabitants refused to recognize the oppressive rule of the Syrians.

The men of the beleaguered town fought bravely and desperately to repulse the repeated assaults by the superior enemy forces. Seeing that he couldnʼt take the fortified town by force, Holofernes decided to starve the inhabitants into sub‑ mission.

He cut off the food and water sup‑ ply, and before long the town was indeed brought to the verge of sur‑ render.

Hungry and thirsty, and in utter de‑ spair, the townspeople gathered in the marketplace and demanded that, rather than die of hunger and thirst, they should surrender to the enemy.

Uzziah, the commander of the de‑ fense forces, and the elders of the town tried to calm the populace without success. Finally they pleaded, “Give us five more days. If no salvation comes by the end of five days, we will surrender.”

Reluctantly the people agreed, and slowly they dispersed. Only one person, a woman, remained in her place, and she addressed Uzziah and the elders, who had also turned to go.

“Why do you test G‑d, giving Him only five days in which to send us His help? If you truly have faith in G‑d, you must never give up your trust in Him. Besides, donʼt you know that surrender to Holofernes is worse than death?!”

So spoke Yehudit, the noble daugh‑ ter of Yochanan the high priest. She was a young widow. It was several years since she had lost her beloved husband, Menashe, and she had devoted all her time to prayer and acts of charity ever since.

Yehudit was blessed with extraordi‑ nary charm, grace and beauty, but she was particularly respected and admired for her devoutness, mod‑ esty and kindness.

Yehuditʼs words made a deep im‑ pression on Uzziah and the elders.

“You are quite right,” they admitted, “but what can we do? Only a down‑ pour of rain that would fill our empty cisterns could save our peo‑ ple, but it is not the rainy season.

We are all suffering the pangs of hunger and thirst. Pray for us, Yehudit, and maybe G‑d will accept your prayers . . .”

“We must all continue to pray, and never despair of G‑dʼs help,” Yehu‑ dit said. “But I have also thought of a plan. I ask your permission to leave town together with my maid.

I want to go to Holofernes.”

Uzziah and the elders were shocked and dismayed and did not want to allow her to make such a sacrifice.

But Yehudit persisted. “G‑d previ‑ ously sent His salvation through a woman. Yael, the wife of Heber, was her name. It was into her hands that G‑d delivered the cruel Sisera.”

Uzziah and the elders attempted to discourage Yehudit from such a dangerous mission, but she insisted that she be allowed to try. Finally, they agreed.

Yehudit passed through the gates of Bethulia, dressed in her best clothes, which she had not worn since her husband passed away. A delicate veil all but hid her beauti‑ ful face. She was accompanied by her faithful maid, who carried a basket filled with rolls, cheese and several bottles of old wine.

The sun had already begun to hide when Yehudit and her maid wound

24 Jewish News

their way toward the enemyʼs camp, their lips whispering a prayer to G‑d. Presently they were stopped by sentries, who de‑ manded to know who they were and who sent them.

“We have an important message for your commander, the brave Holofernes,” Yehudit said. “Take us to him at once.”

“Who are you, and why are you here?” Holofernes asked, his eyes feasting on his unexpected, charm‑ ing visitor.

“I am but a plain widow from Bethulia. Yehudit is my name. I came to tell you how to capture the town, in the hope that you will deal mercifully with its inhabitants.”

Yehudit then told Holofernes that life in the beleaguered town had become unbearable for her, and that she had bribed the watchmen to let her out. She continued that she had heard of Holofernesʼ brav‑ ery and mighty deeds in battle, and wished to make his acquaintance.

Finally she added, that the situation in the besieged town was desper‑ ate, that the inhabitants have very little food and water left. Yet, she said, their faith in G‑d remained strong, and so long as they had faith, they would not surrender. On the other hand, she added, before long, every scrap of kosher food would be gone, and in desperation they would begin to eat the flesh of unclean animals, and then G‑dʼs anger would be turned against them, and the town would fall.

“But how will I know when the de‑ fenders of the citadel will begin to eat unkosher food, as you say, so that I can then storm the walls and capture the city?” Holofernes asked.

Yehudit answered confidently. “I have arranged with the watchmen at the cityʼs gates that I would come to the gate every evening to ex‑ change information: I will tell them whatʼs doing here, and they will tell me whatʼs doing there.”

Holofernes was completely capti‑ vated by the charming young Jew‑ ish widow. “If you are telling me the truth, and will indeed help me cap‑ ture the city, you will be my wife!”

Holofernes promised. Then he gave orders that Yehudit and her maid were to have complete freedom to walk through the camp. A comfort‑ able tent was prepared for the two women, next to his.

The two women, veiled and wrapped in their shawls, could now be seen walking leisurely through the armed camp at any time during the day and evening. Soon, they at‑ tracted little if any attention. Yehu‑ dit could now walk up to the cityʼs gates after dark, where she was met by a watchman.

“Tell Uzziah that, thank G‑d, every‑

Jewish News thing is shaping up according to plan. With G‑dʼs help, we shall pre‑ vail over our enemy. Keep your trust strong in G‑d; do not lose hope for a moment!”

The following evening she came again to the cityʼs gate and re‑ peated the same message, adding that she had won Holofernesʼs com‑ plete confidence.

In the meantime, Holofernes, hav‑ ing nothing special to do, spent most of his time drinking. When he was not completely drunk, he would send for Yehudit. She always came to his tent in the company of her maid. On the third day, he was already getting impatient.

“Well, gracious Yehudit, what intel‑ ligence do you bring me today? My men are getting impatient and de‑ moralized doing nothing; they can‑ not wait to capture the city.”

“I have very good news, general.

There is not a scrap of kosher food left in the city now. In a day or two, famine will drive them to eat their cats and dogs and mules.

Then G‑d will deliver them into your hands!”

“Wonderful, wonderful! This surely calls for a celebration. Tonight weʼll have a party, just you and I. I shall expect you as my honored guest.”

“Thank you, sir,” Yehudit said.

That evening, when Yehudit en‑ tered Holofernesʼs tent, the table was laden with various delicacies.

The general bade her partake of the

feast. But Yehudit told him she had brought her own food and wine that she had prepared especially for that occasion.

“My goat cheese is famous in all of Bethulia,” Yehudit said. “Iʼm sure youʼll like it, General.”

He did. And he also liked the strong, undiluted wine she had brought.

She fed him the cheese, chunk after chunk, and he washed it down with wine. Before long he was sprawled on the ground, dead drunk.

Yehudit propped a pillow under his head and rolled him over on his face. Then she uttered a silent prayer.

“Answer me, O L‑rd, as You an‑ swered Yael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, when you delivered the wicked general Sisera into her hands. Strengthen me this once, that I may bring Your deliverance to my people whom this cruel man vowed to destroy, and let the na‑ tions know that You have not for‑ saken us.”

Now Yehudit unsheathed olofernesʼ heavy sword, and taking aim at his neck, she brought the sword down on it with all her might.

The two veiled women walked leisurely, as usual, until they reached the gates of the city. “Take me to Uzziah at once,” she said to the sentry.

She quickly wrapped up the gen‑ eralʼs head in rags, concealed it under her shawl, and calmly walked out and into her own tent.

Uzziah could not believe his eyes as he stared at the gruesome prize Yehudit had brought him.

“Come quickly,” she said to her maid, “but letʼs not arouse suspi‑ cion.”

“There is no time to lose,” she told the commander. “Prepare your men for a surprise attack at dawn. The enemyʼs camp is not prepared for it.

When they run to their comman‑

derʼs tent, they will find his head‑ less body, and they will flee for their lives.”

This is precisely what happened.

The enemy fled in confusion and terror, leaving much booty behind.

It was a wonderful victory, and it was the G‑d‑fearing and brave daughter of Yochanan the high priest, the father of the Hasmonean family, that saved the city of Bethu‑ lia and all its inhabitants.

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Jewish News continued from page 3 lights for mundane purposes, our goal in performing this mitzvah is not material reward. We fulfill it only because “You have sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us,” without thought of reward or any other ulterior mo‑ tive. This level of performance, avo‑ dah lishmah (“divine service for its own sake”), is the highest that can be attained through our own spiri‑ tual endeavors.

Like much human behavior, even our divine service may be moti‑ vated by a desire for spiritual, if not material, rewards. The Chanukah lights teach us to transcend our tendencies toward self‑interest and dedicate ourselves to serving G‑d for His sake alone. The Chanukah lights, which burn in the darkness of the night, demonstrate moreover that we can reach this advanced level of divine service, not only dur‑ ing daylight (which symbolizes manifest G‑dliness), but also in times when effort is necessary to transform the darkness around us.

Attaining the Heights of Divine Service Another halachic consideration: The custom in all Jewish homes is to add one candle every night to the number of candles lit the previous night. This custom is universal, even though technically, the mini‑ mum halachic requirement may be satisfied by lighting only one can‑

26 Jewish News

dle on each of the nights of Chanukah. Our practice thus fol‑ lows the style of the mehadrin (“those who are lovingly punctil‑ ious”) and who embellish the mitz‑ vah by sparing neither expense nor effort in observing it.

There is, moreover, a higher level of fulfilling the mitzvah, the manner of those who are mehadrin min hamehadrin (“the most punctilious of all”), who display a level of hid‑ dur which surpasses the above‑ mentioned level of the mehadrin.

Performing the mitzvah on the su‑ perior level of mehadrin min hame‑ hadrin involves adding a new candle every night for each mem‑ ber of the household. Significantly, it is common practice today for everyone to kindle the Chanukah lights in this fashion. Throughout the Jewish world, even in circles where the observance of many other mitzvos leaves room for im‑ provement, this mitzvah is com‑ monly observed on the level of mehadrin min hamehadrin. Our ability to fulfill this mitzvah in this manner was bequeathed to us by the Maccabees. When they rededi‑ cated the Beis HaMikdash, Torah law would have permitted them to light the golden Menorah with rit‑ ually impure oil. For the obligation to kindle the Menorah in a state of ritual purity is, as we also find with regard to the communal offerings,

waived when there is no alterna‑ tive. The Maccabees, however, re‑ fused to be satisfied with the minimum fulfillment of the mitz‑ vah. Determined to kindle the Menorah as perfectly as possible, as befits mehadrin min hame‑ hadrin, they decided to use only pure oil. To make this possible, since preparing fresh oil took eight days, G‑d intervened in the natural order and performed the Chanukah miracle: a single cruse with enough pure olive oil to last one day re‑ mained burning for eight days. We commemorate this miracle by fol‑ lowing the Maccabeesʼ example and kindling our Chanukah lights in the manner of mehadrin min hamehadrin.

To Continually Increase Light Adding a new Chanukah candle every night teaches us that every day we must increase our endeav‑ ors to spread light throughout the world. Though we lit up our envi‑ ronment on the previous night, even at the level of mehadrin min hamehadrin, we cannot rest con‑ tent. As our Sages explain, lighting the Chanukah candles exemplifies the principle, “Always advance higher in holy matters.”

Beginning with the second night of Chanukah (the first time we add a candle), we express this principle for an entire week, increasing the number of candles every night. A

week is a complete time cycle which contains in potential form all the possible situations a person might encounter.

Adding a new light on every night of Chanukah demonstrates ̶ and reinforces ̶ a commitment to progress continuously, come what may.

The lessons we learn from the Chanukah lights should be applied in every aspect of our lives.

Every day should lead us to further growth and create new opportuni‑ ties for spreading G‑dly light in our homes and in the world. Thus un‑ derstood, the kindling of the Chanukah lights will serve as a cat‑ alyst to bring about the ultimate light that will illuminate the world in the Era of the Redemption.

Chanukah is bound to the Era of Re‑ demption by the number eight, which is both the number of nights on which we light Chanukah can‑ dles and a number intimately asso‑ ciated with that ultimate age. Our kindling of Chanukah candles both anticipates and precipitates the Era when “a priest will appear in Zion” and light the Menorah in the Beis HaMikdash. May this take place in the immediate future From the talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi Men‑ achem M. Schneerson , Learn more at: chabadNW.org/REBBE

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