The Torah reading of Mikeitz always coincides with Chanukah. According to the 17th Century sage known as the Shaloh, one may always find a connection between a Holiday and the weekly Torah reading that coincides with that Holiday.
While the Yom Tov of Chanuka is behind us, we do not stop thanking Hashem for the miracles that He has done and continues to do for us all the time. As Chassidei Chabad, we go directly from Chanuka to the Yom Tov of Hey Teves.
See how beautiful it is here. Did you notice the big, beautiful menorah in the middle of the plaza? Look at the giant bucket truck that just arrived, which fills the full width of the street.
It was an extremely wintry night. Annoying raindrops splashed the faces of the passersby. This was not a good reason to refrain from going on Mivtza Chanuka which the Rebbe established. The goal is to bring light to every home, to every Jew, wherever he might be, even in a hospital room, behind bars, or a soldier at his post who is tensely watching the border
Lighting a fire on a plane is a serious offense in the laws of air travel. The fact that a Chassid received permission to light a menorah, and to watch the lights for at least half an hour, is no less than a miracle. Here is how it happened:
R’ Moshe Simon was born in Petach Tikva. He went to the vocational school in Kfar Chabad. He married in 5746 and moved to Nachalat Har Chabad in Kiryat Malachi where he works as a teacher.
The Rebbe’s shluchim, who are spread out all over the world working day and night to be mekarev Jews to Torah, t’shuva and mesirus nefesh, have much to tell about the miracles and salvation they see with their own eyes.
In terms of its role in establishing the days of Chanuka as a holiday, the disagreement is only as to whether the miracle of the victory at war is only a preface and preparatory event to the miracle of the lights, which is the finale and completion of the Chanuka miracle, or whether the military triumph is not considered a mere preface but is on par with the miracle of the lights. * From Likkutei Sichos Vol. 30, pg. 204 ff.
The Talmud says that one should light the Menorah in the exterior doorway of a dwelling. The Talmud adds that it should be placed on the left side of the entrance, opposite the Mezuzah fixed on the right side of the doorway.
The Rebbe looked at the menora from time to time, and when they sang HaNeiros Halalu… The Rebbe said the words one time, but did not repeat the words that are repeated to fit the tune. At times the Rebbe’s lips were moving and he tapped his feet to the beat, looking back and forth from the menora to the people. At the conclusion of the singing, the Rebbe nodded with his head and they continued singing a bit, until the Rebbe turned around and they stopped immediately. * Fascinating reports and memories from the month of Kislev 5734 with the Rebbe, published for the very first time from the diary of the late R’ Saadya Maatuf
The third night of Chanuka. Plans to go on mivtzaim to the Sh’chem area. After the incident the night before in which we were stoned, I decided I had had enough of adventures. But I changed my mind on a dime and decided to join them. A decision I would have occasion to regret. * Four young bachurim and a shliach, surrounded by dozens of inflamed Arabs with no natural way to get out.
This Shabbos (VaYeishev) is the Shabbos that leads into the yom tov of Chanuka. Chanuka is the yom tov where we publicize our immense thanks to Hashem for all the miracles that Hashem has done – and continues to do – “בימים ההם בזמן הזה, in those days and in our days.”
The Chassid R’ Mordechai Chanzin was arrested three times in his life. The first time he was imprisoned for ten years, the second time for five years, and the third time for six years. Altogether, he spent twenty-one years in prison, labor camps and various exiles, from 5695 until 5716. Then he was released.
December 6, 2018