One should learn Torah after candle lighting, to fulfill KI NER MITZVA V'TORA OR. Also, we should learn Torah specifically after candles because the candles "announce" that we are no longer under Greek oppression and their ban on Torah learning. (Chidushei HaRim + PC) 

RITE and REASON by Shmuel Pinchas Gelband 
Q What is the origin of the custom of giving CHANUKA GELT to children? 

A The Greeks attempted to stop the Jewish people from studying the Torah. Therefore we celebrate our freedom from Greek oppression by intensifying the honor of the Torah and by encouraging children to study Torah. Rambam writes that when we teach children... we initially teach them to serve HaShem out of fear, and then to receive reward. In his commentary to Mishna, Rambam describes how the teacher induces the young student to learn Torah. ...the rebbe should say to him, "Learn this chapter and I will give you a dinar or two". Chanuka Gelt was originally a means of encouraging children to study Torah more. 

The Wonder of Tzitzit 
The talit, 4 cornered garment, is compared to the great light of truth that HaShem spread over the world at creation, which not only provides physical light but symbolizes the spiritual light as well and the salvation we all pray for. That is why on the Tzitzit there are 5 knots and 8 strings, totaling 13 corresponding to the 13 midot of rahamim. Together with the word Tzitzit which is equal to 600 in gematria, you have the 613 commandments. And when we take the 4 strings together in our hands, we have 26 on the right side and 26 on the left side, the gematria of Hashem’s name being 26 (Yud, Heh, Vav, Heh). The 4 corners of the garment are testimony to our faith in Hashem as ruler over the whole universe- east, west, north, and south, just as the letter ALEF points to four directions and is written with a YUD, VAV, YUD (upside-down) totaling 26, since ALEF means ALUF OLAM, ruler of the universe. The commentators are full of praise for one who worries and troubles himself to keep the mitzva of tzitzit at all times and with a quality garment in order to fulfill the words of Moshe Rabeinu “Zeh Keili V'anveihu” which teaches us to always fulfil the mitzvot generously, with love and respect, and in a breautiful manner. Just as the Torah teaches us the meaning of BEGED at the creation of the world (see last week's NeaTzit page), so too the Alef-Bet testifies to this, beginning with the letter ALEF, continuing BET, GIMMEL, and DALET, and then comes the letter HEI, the letter Hashem added to Avraham Avinu and to Sarah Imenu. Thus the letters of BEGED (garment) are sandwiched between ALEF, faith in Hashem, and HEI, the letter symbolizing our connection with Hashem as Bnei Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov. 

– Prepared by the owners of NeaTzit. More on Tzitzit next week, IY"H. 
As the owners of Neatzit, Jack Falak and Reuven Shefi-gal have devoted their lives to helping Am Yisroel keep the mitzva of tzitzit with a garment of comfort and quality that makes all the difference. 

Hasidic Wisdom from the book by Simcha Raz (Elkins/Elkins) 

"And you shall live by them (G-d's Laws)" - Vayikra 18:5 
The phrase "live by them" means Perform them with liveliness and enthusiasm 
- Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk 

When I hear a Jew chanting a melody, I can tell how deep runs this Jew's fear of G-d. 
- Rabbi Yisrael Taub of Modzhitz 

Worship begins with the words — "I thank You". 
- Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber of Lubavitch 

A man must learn to use his ruts for footholds.
– from A Candle by Day by Shraga Silverstein

NEWS FLASH
Our Torah Tidbits correspondent in Boca Raton, Florida and our bureau chief in Miami have both reported that shuls thoughout the state have been experiencing great difficulty with T'fila B'Tzibur. Although the presidential race in the U.S. has finally been settled, there has been significant fallout in Florida's Jewish communities. Gaba'im who had never been challenged when counting for a minyan are now finding that individuals in their shuls are demanding recounts. In most cases, it is someone who davens Nusach S'fard who makes the recount-demand in a Nusach Ashkenaz shul, and vice versa. 

Florida's chief rabbi favors the counting of people who intended to go to shul but didn't actually get there as part of the minyan. The state's Supreme Beit Din disagrees and insists on further limiting the minyan-count to those who don't talk during davening.

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