LIGHT

Dear Family,

I hope everyone is keeping well.

Mazal Tov to Alisa and Juan on the birth of their first child Emma Joyce. Such nice news. And of course Mazal Tov to Reuven and Chana Lieba the grandparents! Wishing you all many simchos and much nachas!

Mazal Tov to Leora on her birthday on Rosh Chodesh. Wishing you a happy year with lots of learning Leora!

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok, the Frierdike Rebbe said that one has to pay attention to the story that the Chanukah candles are telling.

In relation to this I saw a collection of sayings about light

Hisvaadus 5746 vol2 p132

A little bit of light dispels a great deal of darkness

How much more so a lot of light.

When one increases in light one reaches a state, where he not only dispels darkness, but eradicates it

Tanya Chap 19

The candle of G-d is the soul of man.

Just like a candle naturally always flickers upwards, so too the soul of a man has a natural desire to connect and unite with G-d

Hayom Yom 13th Teves

When a lantern is placed, those who seek light, gather around.

For light attracts.

Talmud Sotah 21a

Rabbi Menachem the son of R. Yose expounded the verse "For the Mitzva is a candle, and the Torah is light"

Mitzva is identified with a candle to teach that just as a lamp guides or protects us temporarily, so does a Mitzva.

Just light, protects permanently. So the study of Torah protects eternally

Tonight is the 5th night of Chanukah.

The 5th night of Chanukah can never fall on Shabbos, and can therefore never be lit by Shabbos

It is therefore a custom to give Chanukah gelt, especially on this night.

Wishing everyone a lichtige Chanukah, with much light, which eradicates all darkness. Gut Shabbos.