The Secret of Hanukkah
The Secret of Hanukkah
Hanukkah is an acronym formed from the words: “Ḥet Nerot ve-Halakhah ke-Veit Hillel”— ח נרות והלכה כבית הלל
— (eight candles and the halakhah follows the House of Hillel).
This refers to the famous dispute between the Houses of Shammai and Hillel. The House of Shammai says that we should light eight Hanukkah candles on the first day of the festival, and then decrease the number each subsequent day. The House of Hillel says that we should light one candle on the first night and then increase the number by one each day. Today, we light according to the House of Hillel—increasing the number.
The word Mashiach is an acronym formed from the words: Madlikin Shmonah Yemei Ḥanukkah—משיח— חנוכה ימי שמונה מדליקין.
Tzadikim and Blood
Over the eight days of Hanukkah, we light 44 candles, including the shamash (36 if the shamash is not counted). Hanokh reveals that both numbers are significant: 36 represents the 36 hidden tzadikim in every generation, while 44 is the gematria of “dam”—blood—the source of the energy of life force. Thus, the tzadikim add life-giving energy to a person’s blood.
Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin once said: “Angels stand above them” (mima’al lo). The numerical value of “lo” (above it) is 36. Angels stand above the 36 Hanukkah lights, directly elevating every prayer recited by the candles to Heaven. The number 36 also alludes to the 36 hours during which the hidden light (Or Ha-Ganuz) shone during the Creation of the world; it is possible to draw upon this light specifically on Hanukkah.
The Hanukkah Blessing and Refuah Shleimah
In the Hanukkah blessing, we avoid saying the word “shel” (Lehadlik Ner Shel Shabbat) and instead say “Lehadlik Ner Ḥanukkah”. The Chida, of blessed memory, teaches that the first letters of these words—lamed, nun, and chet—form “Notzer Ḥesed Lalafim”—the ninth of the 13 Names of Ha-Shem, corresponding to the 13 Attributes of Mercy, and associated with healing. Most people do not know this and miss the opportunity for a beautiful kavanah. (Midrash of the Ben Ish Chai)
25 Kislev—Hanukkah
The number 25 consists of the letters “kaf, hei,” which form the beginning of the phrase: “Ko tevar'khu et bnei Yisrael”—(Thus shall you bless the Children of Israel);
The 25th word in the Torah is “or” (light).
The 25th encampment of the Children of Israel during their wanderings in the wilderness took place at Hashmonah. All of this hints at the victory of the Hasmoneans over the enemies of the Jewish people and at the festival of Hanukkah, as contained in the Torah.
The Fifth Hanukkah Candle
Chasidim celebrate the fifth night of Hanukkah.
The five Hanukkah lights represent the power of the light of the Menorah.
The fifth day of Hanukkah can never fall on Shabbat, and this symbolizes great darkness.
At the same time, the fifth candle symbolizes the great light of Hanukkah, which can illuminate even the darkness.
It is the duty of every Jew, wherever he may be, to sanctify this day.
Every Jew is a part of G-d above, His only son. When you illuminate this day, you can awaken even the most lost Jew in the darkest place.
(The Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe)
Sevivon—the Hanukkah Dreidel
In Hebrew, the Hanukkah dreidel is called a “sevivon.”
The dreidel has four sides. Four letters are engraved on its sides: “nun,” “gimel,” “hei,” “shin” —one letter on each side.
These letters are traditionally interpreted as an acronym for four words: “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham”—(A great miracle happened there).
The Sages associate these four letters with the four kingdoms that sought to destroy Israel:
The letter “nun” on one of its sides represents Bavel; the letter “gimel” represents Madai; the letter “shin” represents Yavan; and the letter “hei” represents Rome. It should also be noted that the gematria of these four letters is: “nun” (50) + “gimel” (3) + “shin” (300) + “hei” (5) = 358.
The gematria of the word “Nachash” (“serpent”) is: “nun” (50) + “chet” (8) + “shin” (300) = 358.
The gematria of the words of the verse: “Ad-nai malakh, Ad-nai melekh, Ad-nai yimlokh”—(G-d reigned, G-d is King, G-d will reign) = 358.
The gematria of the word “Mashiach” in its full spelling is also 358: “mem” (40) + “shin” (300) + “yod” (10) + “chet” (8) = 358.
All of this contains a hint that the four kingdoms, which drew sustenance from the evil of the primordial serpent, will be replaced by the Kingdom of the Almighty, which will come with the arrival of Mashiach.
According to ancient custom, the dreidel should be made of wood.
This is indicated by the verse: “And you, son of man, take for yourself a wooden tablet, ‘one staff,’ and write upon it: ‘For Judah and for the Children of Israel...’ (Ezekiel 37:16)
(R. Nachum Ze'ev Rapoport)
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Tags: The Power of Hanukkah, Hanukkah, Sod Torah, The Secret of Hanukkah, The Secret of the Hanukkah Dreidel, The Secret of Hanukkah, The Hidden Power of Hanukkah
