DVAR TORAH Towards the middle of the "al hanisim" prayer there is a lengthy series of contrasts used by our Chazal to illustrate G-d's salvation: "the many in the hands of the few, the mighty in the hands of the weak, the impure in the hands of the pure, the evil in the hands of the righteous, and the wanton in the hands of those dedicated to Torah." Why so many, and what is the difference between them?
According to the Rav, HaRav Joseph B. Soloveitchik, ztz"l, the reason is because this prayer actually describes two enemies - the Selucid Greeks, and then, in the last two phrases the Hellenists - Jews who assimilated and adopted Greek culture.
Why mention them? Because, as the Rav explained, in every aspect of life there are two dimensions, "alma d'itkasya" [lit. "the hidden world"] and "alma d'itgalya" [lit. "the revealed world"]. By nature, human beings only see the "revealed" - which in the case of the Chanukah story was the obvious story of the war against the Greeks, and even the miracle of the oil.
But beneath the surface, the real battle of Chanukah was the battle between Jews, a battle which our Chazal only hinted at - allowed to remain in the realm of the "hidden" - because it could easily be misunderstood and spoke so poorly of our people.
The "alma d'itgalya" of Chanukah was the war against the Greeks. The "alma d'itkasya" was the war against the Hellenists. Which, concluded the Rav, is also the real reason why Chanukah is an eternal holiday. Because despite the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash which they had purified, and despite the downfall of the family of the Maccabees, never again have we suffered from such disastrous infighting of Jew against Jew.
All of which means that the lights of Chanukah celebrate, not merely a military victory or even the miracle of oil, but the peace which was created among our people. May the unity of Chanukah continue to inspire our people, as we draw closer to the day when the Beit HaMikdash will be rebuilt and dedicated once again!
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MAZAL TOV * to Esther Cardash on the birth of a great grandson. The proud parents are Yael and Zev Farakas (St. Louis).
* to Rabbi Michael and Bonnie Myers on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel – Etai Yaakov ben Tzipporah, who is recovering in rehab.
CONDOLENCES *to Mrs. Brenda Katz, Rena & Richard Berger, Shira & Ron Krebs, Ariella & Aylon Glaser, Lev & Orah Katz and Dr. Bernard Katz and families, on the loss of their beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, Dr. Jerrold Katz z”l. Shiva is being observed through Sunday morning at the Katz residence, 7141 N. Kedzie, apartment 902. Shacharit Thursday at 8:00 am, Friday at 7:30 am and and Sunday at 8:00 am. Mincha/Maariv will be at 4:00 pm. Mincha Friday will be a 1:00 PM. The family requests that condolence call not be made between 12:00 & 1:00 pm, 5:00 & 6:00 pm or after 9:30 pm. For more information contact the shul office.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
A donation to the Kiddush Fund was made by: * Judy Schultz in honor of the birth of her great niece Rochel Rivka Atlas.
DAILY & WEEKLY SHIURIM Please note: Rabbi Myers' Parsha Class will not meet Shabbat morning 11/27
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT December 7 - HTC’s 99th Anniversary Gala honoring Dr. Stephen and Cheryl Karesh with the Etz Chaim Award, Rabbi Zvi and Rachel Zimmerman with the Marbitz Torah Leadership Award, and Hal and Rochel Garfinkel with the Distinguished Parents Award. To RSVP and place an ad, visit www.htc.edu/gala.
BIRTHDAYS Mr. Zave Domsky (11/27) Rabbi Yehuda Isenberg (11/27) Molly Heifetz (11/28) Sarah Shiner (11/28) Uri Loterstein (11/29) Mrs. Bernice Novick (11/29)
ANNIVERSAIES Marc & Ruki Halpert (11/27) Benjamin & Shoshie Neikrug (11/27) Amiel & Dr. Channah Naiman (11/30)
Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park Main: 2800 W. North Shore Ave & North: 3003 West Touhy • Chicago, IL 60645 P 773.761.4000 • F 773.761.4959 • www.congkins.org
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM, Wednesday 8:15p
TALMUD CLASS – Shabbat, 45 minutes before mincha
