A Chanukah Story

This week's Torah section is read each year in connection with Chanukah. One obvious connection is that just as Yosef, the star of our section, was victorious over the superpower Egypt so also a handful of Maccabees (thirteen according to Rashi Deut. 33:11) defeated the entire Greek army to begin the miracle of Chanukah.

At first glance this is very strange.

Why did G-d make such trouble for the Jews? Why such impossible odds? Couldn't G-d have given Yosef and the Maccabees what they wanted without such problems?

And when the Maccabees won why didn't they take advantage of it? Why didn't they replace their enemies and rule the world themselves?! And even today, why is the main emphasis on the oil that lit for eight days? Why not more about the victory???

To answer this here is a story.

Rabbi Avraham Greenwald first saw the Lubavitcher Rebbe when he attended the Rebbe's wedding at the age of thirteen in Warsaw in 1929.

He had been orphaned at a young age and was brought up by his mother's cousin, the famous Torah giant Rabbi Menachem Zamba. When Rabbi Zamba attended the wedding, along with hundreds of other Torah figures, Avraham went along.

The day after the wedding Rabbi Zamba and the boy went to the Rebbe's hotel room to personally wish him Mazal Tov. The Rebbe received them warmly and as they were about to leave after a friendly and lively Torah conversation, the Rebbe turned to Avraham and asked, "Do you know why it is a custom by many Chassidim to make a special celebration on the fifth night of Chanukah?"

Neither of them answered...so the Rebbe continued,

"The purpose of the Chanukah lights is to illuminate the spiritual darkness of the mundane world. The fifth night of Chanuka is the darkest because it is the only night of the holiday that can never fall on Shabbat. And this is the job and ability of every Jew, whether in Warsaw or in London, to illuminate even the darkest places."

Time passed. Avraham Tzvi got rabbinical ordination, married and had five beautiful children. But Poland wasn't the best place for Jews in the early nineteen forties.

The Germans conquered Poland and, together with the anti-Semitic Polish population, systematically and ruthlessly plundered and murdered millions of them. And Rabbi Avraham was no exception. He suffered years of hell in several concentration camps and saw his wife and children slaughtered before his very eyes. But despite it all he miraculously was still alive when the war ended, a shadow of a man, broken in mind, body and spirit.

An uncle of his, Rabbi Moshe Greenwald who lived in America, upon hearing that Rav Avraham was still alive offered to buy him plane tickets and finally managed to convince him to come to America.

Then after a year or so, in 1948 he introduced Rav Avraham to a woman who also had lost everything in the holocaust and they agreed to marry. But before the wedding the woman's mentor, Rabbi Kopel Shvarts of Toronto who was an admirer of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe took Rav Avraham to New York to receive a blessing.

The Previous Rebbe wept like a baby when he heard of Rav Avraham's
tribulations. He blessed him and suggested that since he had been at his son-in-law's wedding (the Rebbe was the Previous Rebbe's son-in-law) he should go to him as well and say hello.

When they entered the Rebbe's room the Rebbe recognized him immediately and began to ask regarding the death Rabbi Zamba at the hands of the cursed Nazis. He concluded by saying,

"Since the Rebbe, my father in law, sent you to me I will say a Torah idea about Chanukah, since we are in the month of Kislev. It is known that there is custom by those who follow the Baal Shem Tov to make a special holiday on the fifth night of Chanuka. Why? Because that night never can fall on Shabbos which is the greatest darkness. That is the power and novelty of the lights of Chanuka and the duty of every Jew, no matter where he is, whether in New York or in London, to illuminate the darkest spiritual situations."

Rabbi Avraham was amazed that the Rebbe repeated exactly what he had said twenty years ago in Warsaw. And perplexed as to why he again included London. He didn't dream of the importance it would have to him one day.

Eventually, after his wedding, Rabbi Avraham settled in Toronto working with Satmar Chassidim as a Rabbi and teacher and there were born his children, two boys and a girl.

For the uninitiated reader, Satmar are sworn enemies of many other groups the foremost of which is Chabad (mainly because of their attitude toward non-observant Jews). So although Rabbi Avraham and his children never spoke against the Rebbe, nevertheless they were surrounded by a constant
bombardment of hatred and discord.

His children grew and eventually his son, Moshe Chiam, met a nice girl and they became engaged. Rabbi Avraham decided to take him to the Rebbe for a blessing before his wedding as was done to himself years ago.

A month before the wedding in 1969 he again was standing before the Rebbe's door (the Previous Rebbe had already passed away in 1950), but this time with his own son.

As soon as they entered the Rebbe immediately recognized him and said "Well, it's about time, after a twenty year break!" Rabbi Avraham was astounded but after a few seconds he came to himself sufficiently to give the Rebbe a small page upon which he wrote all his requests.

The Rebbe looked at the page and gave a long string of blessings the last of which was 'Just as you rejoiced at my wedding may you merit to rejoice at the wedding of your grandchildren'.

When Rav Avraham saw how friendly and open the Rebbe was he decided to unburden his mind.

"Rebbe, may I ask a question?" The Rebbe shook his head in agreement and he continued. "I have many neighbors that speak against the Rebbe and against Chabad. I know they are wrong but I simply don't know what to tell them. I'm afraid I'll say the wrong thing. What should I say? They say the Rebbe is wrong for befriending every Jew, even big sinners, when the Torah says that G-d Himself hates them (Psalms 139:21) and it is forbidden to help them. What should I answer?"

The Rebbe looked sternly and immediately answered. "That same 'super-religious' Jew would also agree that if it was his daughter that left Judaism it would be different...because on one's family it says 'From your flesh don't turn away' (Isaiah 58:7).

"Well, in G-d's eyes every Jew is dear like an only son.. and in my Father-in-law, the Rebbe's, eyes EVERY Jew is 'From your own flesh don't turn away!!"

Then the Rebbe smiled and concluded, "Let us finish with a blessing... The reason that many Chassidim make a special celebration on the fifth night of Chanukah is that that night represents the greatest darkness because it can never coincide with Shabbos...and nevertheless the lights of Chanukah illuminate it. That is the job of every Jew whether in Toronto or London. Every Jew is a portion of G-d, HaShem's only child. And when we light that soul with a flame of holiness it can bring it from the furthest and darkest place."

Ten years later in 1979 it became time for Rabbi Avraham to marry his second son. This time the marriage was to be in London and, for some reason he did not have time to enter to the Rebbe for a blessing.

But before he left for England his next door neighbor, a close friend and one of the most important Chassidim in Satmar came to him in tears with a desperate and urgently secret request.

His daughter had run away from home with a non-Jew and was living somewhere in the huge city of London. At first she hid it from them but when they found out, it was too late.. and now she was gone. He apologized to Rav Avraham over and over again for the trouble but he was at his wits end. Perhaps there was something he could do in London after the wedding?

Rabbi Avraham was stunned and broken by the terrible news, promised he would do what he could and rushed off to catch his plane. But in his heart he knew he could do nothing.

The problem weighed heavily on his heart, he simply couldn't get it off his mind. Several days after the wedding, when his in-laws asked him what was wrong, he told them.

They answered that if anyone could do it it was Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Glick. He was a Chabad Chassid that had a reputation as one who the Rebbe gave much responsibility and who had saved several Jewish girls from similar plights. They called him, explained the terrible situation and Rabbi Glick promised that he would contact the girl's parents for more details and then do what he could.

Ten days later Rabbi Glick called Rabbi Avraham back and told him to take a taxi and come to his home urgently.

Moments later Rav Avraham arrived, and there sitting on the sofa crying profusely, was his neighbor's lost daughter! "It's a miracle of Chanukah!" said Rabbi Glick as he pointed at the Chanuka lights. "A true miracle!"

Rabbi Avraham was stunned. There were five lights in the Menora!

Tonight was the fifth night of Chanukah! Those five lights succeeded in awakening a Jewish soul that had wandered into the ultimate darkness! Suddenly he understood the Rebbe's repetition of the city 'London' each time he mentioned the fifth candle.

This is the message of our section, the same message of Chanukah. Often adversity is the ONLY way to bring out the truth; just as an olive only puts out its illuminating oil when pressed.

But in order to have such positive results it is necessary, even when under pressure, to concentrate ONLY on the positive; to always have ONLY the goal in mind and not be overcome. And the goal is to improve the world. To put meaning and joy in every moment and everything we do by connecting it to the Creator and His Torah.

Just a Yosef did in the end of this week's section. Although he had been in prison for ten years with no chance of getting out he didn't become sad. He still had a good word for the ministers of wine and bread which eventually brought his release, and saved the entire world from famine! Exactly what the Maccabees did in saving the holiness of the Holy Temple. They saved the entire world!

That is why they had no desire to replace the Greeks and why we make such little mention of the military victory of Chanukah.

May we all transform the challenge and darkness of our present, confusing golos (exile) into joyous, meaningful redemption; both personal and universal.

We wish our readers a Happy and Healthy Chanuka with Moshiach NOW!!

Rabbi Tuvia Bolton
Yeshiva Ohr Tmimim
Kfar Chabad, Israel

www.ohrtmimim.org/torah

This story takes place about one hundred years ago in Baghdad at the Shabbat
table of Mr. Avraham Pinchas, a rich Jewish merchant.

Usually Mr. Pinchas had a table full of guests but this Shabbat he only had
one; a poor man that he had invited from the Bait Knesset (Synagogue).

The guest was awed by the plush richness around him; the thick Persian rugs,
gold inlayed dishes and beautifully decorated walls.

Only one thing perplexed him; in the middle of the table stood an old,
empty, broken bottle that looked like it once contained olive oil about
twenty years ago.

When Mr. Pinchas noticed how his guest was staring at the bottle he said.
“I see that you are wondering about my bottle. Do you want to hear a
wonderful story?” When the guest nodded ‘yes’ he began the story:

“My father was a respected businessman here in Baghdad, but he was always
busy and he left me in the hands of my grandfather.

Every morning my grandfather would wake me, make sure I washed my hands,
said the morning blessings and didn’t forget my lunch. Then each time, just
before I left the house for school, he would give me a kiss on my forehead,
raise his hands to the heavens and say:

“VAANI ANA ANI BAW”
(lit. And I, where will I go?! Bereshet 37:30 - this week’s section,
VaYeshev)

Later I learned in school that this is what Reuven cried out when he
discovered that Yosef was not in the pit and that it was impossible to save
him. But I had no idea what it had to do with me.

Then, when I was about fourteen years old, tragedy struck; my grandfather
passed away.

There was no one to take care of me in the morning so I started to go with
my father to work. My father tried to make sure that I prayed and learned a
little but he was always very busy, and the business he did fascinated me so
I didn’t pay much attention to my studies.

Then, two years later, tragedy struck again; my father died suddenly and
now, besides the fact that I was alone, there was another problem; what to
do with the business? I was given the choice either to sell it and save the
money, or to try my luck managing it for a while and I decided, against the
advice of the lawyers to try the latter.

Well, I took to it like a fish to water. It wasn’t long before I was making
big business deals with the best. But I began to feel out of place with a
Yarmulke and Tzizis, and not eating with everyone else, and the keeping of
Shabbos prevented me from making big contacts.

So I began to stop being so observant and I discovered that the more
Commandments I dropped, the more successful I became.

Several years passed and I rose higher and higher until, one day I was
walking home after landing a really big deal and I noticed a young Jewish
boy, maybe thirteen years old, sitting on the sidewalk crying.

You know how it is when you feel happy you can’t stand to see someone
miserable, right? So I went over to him and asked him what was wrong.
‘Oh thank you sir,’ he said ‘but this is something for Jews, I don’t think
you would understand’.

When he said those words I felt like someone stabbed me in the heart. ‘You
should know that I am Jewish’ I said to him, ‘ I even learned Talmud in
Torah School’.

‘Oh, I’m sorry’ he answered’ I didn’t mean to make trouble, I just feel so
bad. You see at home we don’t have any money.’ He looked up at me and wiped
his eyes with his shirtsleeve, ‘My father died a while ago and my mother has
to work and also feed us, me and my six brothers and sisters, so things are
not good.

Well, this morning my mother said that it is Chanuka tonight and we have to
look through the house for money to buy oil so we can light the Menorah and
that maybe HaShem will make a Chanuka miracle for us and we’ll find
something.

We looked and searched and were just about to give up when my little sister
found a coin behind one of the drawers. We were all so happy! So my mother
told me to run to the store and buy the oil before it closes.
I ran and just as he was closing I got there and bought the oil.

I was walking home, holding the bottle and dreaming. I imagined how good it
’s going to be to light the lights, how everyone will smile. I remembered
how the warm yellow light would shine on everyone’s faces and make everyone
look so pure and happy. Maybe we’ll even sing and dance like we did last
year. Maybe HaShem will really send Moshiach this time, like my mother
says, and then she will start to smile again. I was walking faster and
faster, I was so excited. It’s Chanuka! It’s Chanuka!!

And then…. I tripped.

I fell in the street and the bottle flew from my hands! I watched in horror
as it arched in the air and came down on a stone and broke!!! It broke!!
And all the oil spilled out …. and ANI ANA ANI BAW!!!’

The boy began crying again but when I heard those words I suddenly
remembered my grandfather and understood what he meant, he must have known
that this would happen.

That broken bottle is me! And the spilled oil is my Jewish soul; I’ve lost
my Jewish soul!!

As in a trance, I took out a bunch of money from my pocket, gave it to the
boy and told him to go back to the store knock on the window and just tell
him Avrim Pinchas sent me. Go! Buy what you want, have a happy Chanuka! Go!
When the boy was gone, I lifted the bottle from the street and carried it
home, still in shock. I sent the servants away for eight days and then,
when I was alone, I just stood there, looking at that broken bottle and
weeping.

Then the thought struck me; ‘a Jew can’t loose his Jewish soul. Maybe I
ignored it or put it to sleep, but I’m sure it’s still there’.

So I took my grandfather’s Menorah out of the cabinet, dusted it off, found
some oil and a wick and lit the first candle.

The light!! I felt like I was alive again! I even decided that I would do
something…. I would begin putting on Tefillin starting tomorrow morning!
The next night I lit two candles and decided form now on to eat only kosher
food. The following night, that I would begin learning Torah. The night
after that I made the decision to keep Shabbot. Until when on the last night
eight candles were burning, I felt that I had become a new man. A renewed
man. The lights of Chanukah saved me.

So that is the reason I keep the broken bottle; to remind me where I was and
how that miracle of the oil "saved my life".

May the lights of Chanukah bring true peace and blessing to all mankind, and
may HaShem send us the Moshiach NOW so we can relight the Menorah in the
Holy Temple and rejoice together with all the Jews in the world in
Jerusalem.

Rabbi Tuvia Bolton
Yeshiva Ohr Tmimim
Kfar Chabad Israel

Another Chanuka story

Israel Solomon was cold, but his mind was neither on the freezing winter of
Valley Forge nor on tomorrow’s battle. He was trying to light his Chanukah
Lights without waking anyone or attracting attention.

‘This could be my last Chanukah,’ he thought to himself as he blew into his
hands to warm them up so he could hold the match. But as the fire caught
the wick he suddenly felt different; he felt strangely warm and happy.

“Thanks for everything, G-d!” He thought to himself “Thanks for everything!”

And a few seconds later he was laying under the silent, clear, winter
Pennsylvania sky making a blessing on the four small candles flickering in
his miniature Menorah.

Suddenly he was brought out of his reverie; someone was standing at his
feet!

“What is this!!? What are you doing, are you mad!!! Are you a spy!!?”

He looked up and lost his breath; It was the Commander of the Revolutionary
forces, General Washington himself, whispering angrily at him!
He sat bolt upright, not wanting to stand quickly for fear that the noise
would wake someone.
“No, No, General! G-d forbid!!” he whispered. He slowly rose until he
stood facing the General. “I am a religious Jew. I believe in G-d and this
is one of G-d’s commandments. Believe me I’m not a spy. G-d forbid,
General Washington, G-d forbid.”

The General couldn’t sleep; he had been concerned with the impending battle
and was walking between the rows of his sleeping soldiers when he noticed
the lights.

“What sort of commandment is this?” he had calmed down a bit and seemed to
be almost interested.

“Over two thousand years ago we Jewish people were fighting a war very
similar to yours, Sir.” Solomon felt himself filling with inspiration; the
General was looking deeply into his eyes as though he was yearning for the
answer. Solomon stood upright and looked powerfully back into Washington’s
eyes, “General, the Jews won that war because we fought for the truth. We
fought for freedom. We were outnumbered too, even more than you are now,
maybe a hundred to one, but we won because we believed in G-d, and G-d
helped us.”

Solomon felt as though he was connected to something infinitely certain.
“And you will win tomorrow also, Sir! G-d will help you just as He helped us
and we will win!”

The General was silent for a moment, staring, examining incredulously the
face of the Jew.
Finally he broke the silence and said.
“You are a Jew. You are from the nation of prophets! I treat what you have
said as a prophesy from G-d Himself!”
The General shook Solomon’s hand saluted, turned on his heel and continued
his rounds.

What happened the next day is now history: Washington’s forces scored a
telling victory over the British, which proved to be the beginning of total
victory and eventually the independence of the United States of America from
England.

But what is less known is that Mr. Solomon survived the war and returned to
his home in Boston.

One day, some two years after Valley Forge, he was sitting with his family
around the dinner table when he heard a knock at his door.
He rose, opened the door and was astounded to see standing there a
contingent of ten very official-looking men led by none other than … the
first President of the United States, President George Washington himself!

They entered, and the President was the first to speak.
“We are here to present you with this. One of them stepped forward and took
out a small expensive looking velvet box from his inside coat pocket.
Mr. Solomon looked from one face to the other for some sign of what was
going on. He slowly took the box, opened it and there was a golden
medallion; he took it out and saw that on it was engraved a picture of a
menorah inscribed with the words:

‘With admiration, General George Washington’

“Mr. Solomon, you don’t know what you did that night at Valley Forge.” The
President continued. “ I couldn’t sleep that night because I was sure that
we had no chance of winning. We lacked ammunition, we were outnumbered ten
to one, and we didn’t even have sufficient food or bedding. When I saw the
boys lying asleep in the freezing cold under those thin blankets I made up
my mind …. to surrender.

But your lights and your prophecy changed all that.

Mr. Solomon, if it wasn’t for you and your Menora, I don’t know if we would
be standing here today as free men.”

According to the story, that Medallion still exists today, a testimony to
the power of Chanukah.

May the entire world be illuminated this year by the light of

Moshiach NOW!!!

Rabbi Tuvia Bolton
Yeshiva Ohr Tmimim
Kfar Chabad Israel