At night, without knowing the happy ending, without being able to imagine a ray of light, without understanding the kindness, let us just believe
Chazal added two holidays during the winter months a period that alludes to the exile: Chanukah and Purim. These two festivals were instituted as a result of events that occurred during the exile and are intended to help us survive the exile with belief we will experience the Redemption.
The decrees of the Greeks were aimed at harming the neshamah to uproot emunah and bitachon from the Jewish People. That is why the festival of Chanukah was established to fortify us against such an onslaught. So that we once again can “give thanks and praise to Your great Name.” (Rabbi Chaim Friedlander Sifsei Chaim)
These days I am scared to open the newspaper. I don’t want to see the stark headlines jumping out heralding yet another tragedy in our midst. Innocent babies young children yeshivah bochurim have been torn from us before experiencing life. Our gedolim have been plucked from before us our nashim tzidkaniyos have dwindled.
Our tiny country is buffeted by the winds of unrest. Our lifestyle is threatened by politics and assimilation.
Create a free account to keep reading.
