Not only does davening for our children’s spiritual growth work— it’s the most powerful weapon we have
The answer must be that — no — this is not yeridah at all. What we gained on Chanukah remains with us and our job throughout the year is to build upon it.
I would like to point to one element of Chanukah that I believe has yearlong relevance — the teaching of Chazal (Shabbos 23b) that “haragil b’neir havin lo banim talmidei chachamim.” One who is ragil (loosely translated as “accustomed to”) the candle will have children who are talmidei chachamim.
These words of Chazal are obviously meant to be taken literally — keen observance of the mitzvah of both neir Chanukah and neir Shabbos (Rashi ibid.) is a merit to have children who are talmidei chachamim.
However, this teaching can have elements of metaphorical — and forever relevant — interpretations as well.
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