Lead Tidbit
Lighting Isn't Enough
Well, from the point of view of fulfillment of the mitzva, it is. But in this case,
perhaps more than most, there is much more than lighting candles that SHOULD go into a person's celebration of Chanuka.

Let's start with an obvious example. Picture a Jew who refuses to circumcise his son. He thinks its primitive and barbaric. Comes Chanuka, he takes out his Chanukiya, polishes it up and buys a box of candles. He's ready to go. But what does his lighting mean? Chanuka exists because the Jewish people were freed from Greek oppression. A Greek oppression that included, as a major feature, a prohibition of Brit Mila. The victory of the Chashmona'im with G-d's help, meant that Jews were once again able to practice the mitzva of Mila without hindrance. And here is a Jew who rejects Brit Mila. What quality is his Chanuka candle lighting?

Please understand: Every mitzva a Jew does is important. Even if the person's behavior seems contradictory and illogical. But we have to see the sad irony in the above case.

And now let us address ourselves on the same topic.

The Greeks banned the learning and teaching of Torah. Chanuka and the mitzva of the Chanuka candles must inspire us to greater commitment to Torah learning, to performance of mitzvot, to spreading Torah and Mitzvot practice and values to our fellow "Hellenized" Jews.

Chanuka was the rededication of the Beit HaMikdash and its Service. Our fulfillment of the mitzva of Chanuka must evoke from us a yearning for the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash and the coming of Mashiach, BIMHEIRA B'YAMEINU AMEN