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Chizuk<br />
The Essence<br />
of <strong>Chanukah</strong><br />
By Estie Perlman<br />
SHAAREI TIKVAH/ CHANUKAH <strong>2009</strong><br />
The Talmud relates a tragic occurrence that happened<br />
in approximately 30 BCE (3728). The last princess of<br />
the famous Chashmonaim family committed suicide rather<br />
than become the wife of King Herod, the tyrannical despot<br />
of the <strong>Jewish</strong> nation. After her death, no longer could anyone<br />
claim to be a descendent of the Chashmonaim. How<br />
could such a calamity befall a family that had been so instrumental<br />
in saving our people from the Greek oppression?<br />
The Ramban refers to Matisyahu and his family as pious<br />
people of highest order. Yet they made one fatal mistake.<br />
Our forefather Yaakov bequeathed the rights of monarchy<br />
to the tribe of Yehudah when he blessed his twelve sons;<br />
“The scepter shall not depart from Yehudah.” The grandchildren<br />
of Matisyahu transgressed this directive by assuming<br />
the role of the king and subsequently were severely<br />
punished with extermination.<br />
Furthermore, Matisyahu and his descendents were<br />
priests and they were obligated to attend to their duties in<br />
the temple. They forsook their actual responsibilities by becoming<br />
involved in activities extraneous to their purpose as<br />
priests when they undertook the mantle of kingdom.<br />
Everyone is charged with a certain objective in life, an<br />
objective that is fundamental to the purpose of his or her<br />
unique soul. We must each learn to build upon our personal<br />
foundation and not seek foreign approaches to enhance our<br />
relationship with Hashem.<br />
Perhaps the very mitzvah of <strong>Chanukah</strong> alludes to this<br />
concept. The essence of the mitzvah is to kindle one candle<br />
per household each night. However, the Sages instituted<br />
that we should enhance the basic fulfillment of this mitzvah<br />
by adding an extra candle each night and also including<br />
other members of the household in this illuminating mitzvah<br />
with each person lighting his or her own menorah.<br />
By each person kindling his own distinctive light in life,<br />
the <strong>Chanukah</strong> menorah instructs one to strengthen and establish<br />
his persona utilizing his skills and capabilities, not<br />
seeking fulfillment in areas of achievement alien to his<br />
propensity.<br />
The K’sav Sofer explains that Yaakov’s blessings to his<br />
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