Hello from The Rabbi’s Desk

We are currently celebrating the festival of lights [Chanukah], and I don’t believe there’s any need for me to explain what this Yom Tov is all about - because we all know about the miracles that happened ! It is due to the miracles that occurred that the learned Rabbis of centuries passed, established the tradition of kindling of the Menorah for eight days. Yes, there was more than just one miracle, besides the one of finding oil sufficient for one day – that lasted for eight days, there was also the miracle of the Hasmoneans [Chashmonaim] overpowering the stronger enemy.

Come on, look how many of us there are and look at the rest of the world. G-D performs miracles constantly and if we will not take life for granted and open our eyes, we will see the miracles daily. But the miracles that occurred on Chanukah were quite obvious and that is why we have an obligation to publicize the miracles of Chanukah and light the Menorah in a prominent position within our homes - visible to all. It is for this reason that many Jewish organizations like to go outdoors & light the menorah in public areas within cities and towns – around the world. This is NOT to show off but to fulfill the Mitzvah of publicizing the miracle, known in Hebrew as [Pirsumei Nisso].

A great means of acknowledging these miracles, aside from lighting the menorah, would be to show your thanks & appreciation and join us for a special Chanukah breakfast on Sunday morning 28th December – that will immediately follow our Rosh Chodesh shacharit (morning) service. The service that should last for more than 65 minutes, will commence at 8:00 am (in the Herscu – Minor shule) & breakfast will be as usual in our very grand boardroom.

There is a message however that I would like to convey to you all and that is how we learn from lighting the Menorah, a lesson very relevant to Shalom Bayit, [peace and tranquility of the home].

I mentioned previously about the internationally renowned speaker & story teller, Rabbi Paysach Krohn & once again, relay a story told by him.

One night during Chanukah the Chofetz Chaim, [that was not his name, it just means “wanting to live”, the words come from a verse we pray every Shabbat and Yom Tov. His name was Rabbi Yisroel Meir HaKohen Kagan] was in the home of his Rebbe (his mentor) R’ Nachum’ke Kaplan. The time came for lighting Chanukah candles and the Chofetz Chaim waited for his Rebbe to recite the blessings and light the candles, but R’ Nachum’ke let the time pass and made no move to light the Menorah. The Chofetz Chaim was a bit surprised that his rebbe would let the time slip by - but out of respect didn’t dare say anything.

More time elapsed, and still R’ Nachum’ke went about his regular routine without saying anything about the lighting of the Chanukah candles. An hour went by and then another hour; still the Menorah was not lit. The Chofetz Chaim simply could not understand his rebbe’s inaction in not attending to this Mitzvah. Finally, deep into the night, there was a knock at the door. The Chofetz Chaim ran and opened it; it was R’ Nachum’ke’s wife. Almost immediately after she came in, R’ Nachum’ke began his introductory prayers, recited the appropriate blessings and then lit the Chanukah Menorah.

The Chofetz Chaim felt that there had to be a lesson here and so, once the flames were flickering, he respectfully asked his rebbe to explain to him why he had let so much time elapse before finally lighting the Menorah.

R’ Nachum’ke explained patiently & very simply to his beloved student. “ The Talmud poses a question: What is the law if a man has only sufficient money to use for only one candle on the Friday night of Chanukah? [We should never experience such a situation] Should he spend it on a Shabbat candle and fulfill the Mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles, or rather spend the money on a candle for his Chanukah Menorah and thereby fulfill the Mitzvah of Chanukah candle lighting?” R’ Nachum’ke continued. “ The Talmud states unequivocally that one is obligated to spend the money for a Shabbat candle, the reason being that the Shabbat candle, aside from the Mitzvah involved, adds to Shalom Bayis [peace and tranquility of the home]. Thus a candle that fosters Shalom Bayis takes precedence even over the Mitzvah of lighting a Chanukah candle.”

“I have no doubt however,” continued R’ Nachum’ke, “that had my wife come home and realized that I did not wait for her with the Chanukah candles, she would unquestionably have been distraught. There would have been tension, and perhaps even anger on her part that I didn’t show her courtesy to wait until she returned. Thus I delayed and delayed until she came home.”

“ You see,” added R’ Nacum’ke, “the Talmud itself used Chanukah candles as a focal point to bring out the importance of Shalom Bayis. Should I then have taken these same Chanukah candles and through them caused a lack of Shalom Bayis? I had no choice but to let the ideal time for candle lighting pass, and wait until later to kindle them at a time that was still consistent with Jewish law.”

Not only is Chanukah teaching us about miracles but also teaches us the importance of Shalom Bayis.

By the way, this story was told by a great Maggid [story teller] and great scholar, Rabbi Sholom Schwadron who added that Shalom Bayis in this instance also meant that R’ Nachum’ke did not complain to his wife - when she finally arrived home – even though her lateness had caused him to wait so long to perform a Mitzvah. He understood that to complain would have fostered ill will as well and minimized Shalom Bayis.

A friendly reminder once again about services this coming week –

• Sunday morning Rosh Chodesh Tevet & 7th day of Chanukah - shacharit service commences at 8.00am and will be followed by a great breakfast.

Belated but still warmest good wishes to the children and grandchildren of members who have just completed VCE. I’m aware that it’s a difficult year that gives rise often to unnecessary stress – on both the part of the students & their parents. May all our VCE students only progress to happy and fulfilling lives that are lived in accordance with Jewish ethics, morals and traditions.

At this time of year when many depart Melbourne for summer holidays, I wish you all safe travels and a safe return

Chanukah Sameach - a Happy Chanukah & Shabbat Shalom

 

 

Friday PM Dec 26	(early) evening service commences at 6:00pm for 15-20 minutes only
Saturday AM Dec 27	Shabbat morning service commences at 8:45 am and as our custom is followed by a  kiddush to which all in attendance will be most welcome.
Thurs AM	Thursday morning shacharit services are now in recess during the summer break & will recommence on Thursday 29th January 2009. If you’ve missed or been unable to attend during the past 12 months – try attending our 55minute service next year– it’s always followed by a haymishe breakfast & is no finer way to start the day !

My adults’ shiur & barmitzvah boys class are now in recess over the summer break until February 2009.

Shabbat shalom

Rabbi Dovid Rubinfeld
Chief Minister