Parshat Miketz- Chanukah 5778
Rabbi Jablinowitz
The Bach in Siman 670 teaches that Bnei Yisrael were being negligent about the Avodah in the Beis Hamikdash during the time of the Greeks. As a result their punishment was commensurate with their sin and the Karban Tamid brought daily in the Beis Hamikdash was nullified by the king. And it was only when Bnei Yisrael did Teshuvah and were willing to give their lives, to be Moser Nefesh, for the Avodah in the Beis Hamikdash, that Hashem brought about a miracle. And the miracle was through the Chashmonaim who were Kohanim and the light of the Menorah. This all shows that since the aveirah and reason for the decree was a lack of seriousness and dedication in doing the Avodah, the miracle was brought about only when this attitude changed. And the conduit for the miracle were the Kohanim and since the original problem stemmed from negligence it was only overturned when they reverted to a state of diligence.
The Ohr Gedalyahu quotes the Gemara in Brachos 63A which teaches in the name of Rav Yoshiyah Kol HaMarpeh Atzmo M'Divrei Torah, Aiyn Bo Koach La'amod Bayom Tzarah. Anyone who is lax in learning Torah, doesn't have the strength to stand up in a time of great difficulty. He explains the meaning of this teaching is that we all have certain capabilities and talents that Hashem gives us. But in order to maintain them we have to use them. And the Gemara is referring specifically to our Avodas Hashem. If we don't use our abilities, but are lax and unenthusiastic about carrying out our responsibilities, when we need to access those strengths, they are gone. And the next time we need to learn or perform a mitzvah, we require greater strength than we needed previously since our abilities had been lying dormant.
Chazal teach us that Midah Tovah Merubah, the measure of reward is greater than the measure of punishment. When we use our talents to the best of our ability and push ourselves even beyond our limit, then we receive even greater strength and ability than we had before. When we are enthusiastic in performing mitzvos, then our ability to continue our efforts only increases.
This is why when Bnei Yisrael were lax and not careful in doing the Avodah in the Beis Hamikdash, they lost the ability to do the Avodah. It was removed from them by decree. And only when they pushed themselves beyond their limit and were willing to sacrifice themselves for the Avodah was it returned to them through miracles.
This is one of the major themes of Chanukah. As the name Chanukah itself indicates, it is a time of rededication. It is a time we need to learn to be more enthusiastic and excited about leading a life of Torah and mitzvos. The Gemara in Shabbos 23B teaches in the name of Rav Hunah, HaRagil B’Ner Havyen Leih Banim Talmidei Chachamim. The one who is regular or consistent with the mitzvah of lighting candles (Rashi teaches it is referring to both Shabbos and Chanukah candles), will merit to have children who are Talmudic Scholars. The Sfas Emes explains in the name of the Chidushei HaRim that one should understand Rav Huna as teaching that one needs to do his routine activities of Avodah, HaRagil, with a fire and enthusiasm, B'Ner. This is the message of Chanukah; when one rededicates himself to serve Hashem with vigor and enthusiasm, his reward increases many fold. When he pushes himself beyond his limit, he receives beyond what he had before and expands his boundaries in Avodas Hashem.
Good Shabbos and Chanukah Sameach
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