Chanuka Lights

Just wanted to share a thought on Chanuka I just received in an email a few minutes ago.

The Me’or Einayim and many other tzadikim discuss the following idea:

The Gemarah says, that we must light Ner Chanuka:

1. at night (on the longest nights of the year)

2. lower than 10 tefachim

3. outside

4. on the left side

5. starting at the end of the month

All these things represent darkness, distance, and weakness:

1 .The night, of course, represents darkness and galus.

2. Lower than 10 tefachim is the place where the gemarah says, the Shechina never goes.

3. “Outside” represents distance and tumah, and “Reshus Harabim” is, according to kabalah, the place of the “sitra achara”.

4. “Left” represents weakness and harshness.

5. The end of the month is when the moon, which represents Am Yisroel, is disappearing.

We are told to go davka to that place and at that time, and to light a candle. Not to banish the darkness, though that will indeed be the end result, but just to light a little candle. The darkness is still there, and the candle even burns out. But tomorrow we’ll be back, ignoring yesterday’s seeming lack of success, and we will light two candles…

It is these little lights in the darkness that will bring to the world the ultimate light, like it says – “B’orcha nireh ohr – in Your light (G-d) we shall see light”.

And it is these little lights that Hashem was referring to when He told Aharon Hakohen, “Shelcha le’olam kayum – yours will last forever” – even in the darkest of the dark there will always be the little lights. And this pacified Aharon, because he knew the super power of these little lights.