8561 —הקשר בין י"ט כסלו וחנוכה, הפצת פנימיות התורה

Shalom u'Vrachah!

As we stand in the days between Yud Tes Kislev, the day of good tidings, and the days of Chanukah—especially this year when the beginning of the week, Sunday, is Yud Tes Kislev, and its end, the completion of seven encompassing days, is Shabbat Chanukah—and it is known that in holiness "their end is wedged in their beginning and their beginning in their end," it is fitting to explain the commonality between Chanukah and Yud Tes Kislev. The miracle of Chanukah was with oil—which alludes to the inner dimension of Torah—of the Temple's lamps, whose place was in the sanctuary where not everyone could enter, and their lighting time was during the day. In the days of Mattityahu ben Yochanan Kohen Gadol and his companions who gave their lives for sanctifying G‑d's Name—the true unity as they said: "with all your soul—even if He takes your soul"—the miracle occurred and they were commanded regarding Chanukah lights whose mitzvah is for each individual (soul) to light at his doorway facing outward (the world) specifically after sunset (the year). Similarly, this applies to learning the inner dimension of Torah—the oil of Torah—which at first was hidden and concealed from all Torah scholars except for select individuals, even then only privately and not publicly. But in these later generations there is a mitzvah to reveal it—from the days of the Arizal onward—and especially with the redemption of Yud Tes Kislev when began primarily spreading forth the wellsprings outward until everyone will understand and grasp how "He fills all worlds and He surrounds all worlds," etc.

May it be G‑d's will that each one of us acts in all three details: a) in a manner of spreading; b) with regard to the wellsprings themselves; c) until it reaches even outward—all with vitality and light that increases ever more. General details.

Printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 10 p. 270 regarding fasting on 9 Teves: see also above letter H'Rachatz. The letter: printed above vol. 5 letter A'Resav. See also below letter H'Taksav.

Day of good tidings: Tuesday, Yud Tes Kislev... Day of good tidings (Responsa Min HaShamayim sec. 65; he does not explain there what is the tidings). Note that in the year of our Rebbe's redemption, Yud Tes Kislev also fell on "Tuesday which is doubled for it is good" (Letter from Admor HaZaken printed in Beis Rebbe vol. 1 ch. 18 [Igros Kodesh vol. 1 letter Lamed Ches]). So too was it in the year and day of passing of Rav HaMaggid (Kuntres Chai Elul 5703 list A)—and although this event occurred several years after Responsa Min HaShamayim, we find something greater than this (according to Raavad in Sefer HaKabbalah): what is written in Megillas Taanis (quoted in Tur Orach Chaim sec. 580) about fasting on 9 Teves—"our Rabbis did not write why"—that "they intended with Divine inspiration" that on this day (in year 4524) R' Yosef HaLevi Hanergad was killed etc.

This can be explained based on our Sages that there are days of goodness and days of adversity (Zohar I, 254a). Accordingly we can also explain our Sages' statement "merit is rolled to a meritorious day..." (Taanis 29a), Tosafos s.v. yom (ibid., 29b), which many have struggled to understand. And more.

Sunday... Seven encompassing days: see Responsa Rashba vol. I sec. 9; Likkutei Torah Shir HaShirim p. 25a: every Sunday is truly like Sunday among the six days of creation.

The rule...in holiness: Sefer Yetzirah at its start; Torah Or Shemos p. 52a.

Oil...inner Torah: see Berachos p. 57a: oil...illumination of Torah; Zohar III p. 39a; elsewhere.

Not everyone: Keilim ch.1 mishna 9.

Their lighting—by day: see Pesachim p.59a; Niddah p.71a; Ramban Shemos 12:6.

Mattityahu ben Yochanan Kohen Gadol: instituted Hoda'ah during these eight days etc., Pri Etz Chaim Shaar Chanukah.

Gave their lives...your soul: Tzeror HaMor Parshas Va'eschanan Devarim 6:4.

Each individual: Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim end sec. 671; see note b at end of Kuntres "Maamar Baruch She'asah Nissim" by tzt"z [and Sefer HaMinhagim p.69].

It was...to reveal this: Igros Kodesh sec.26.

Began primarily...He surrounds all worlds: Sichas Yud Tes Kislev 5668 (Toras Shalom p.112ff).

The three details: see letter from eve Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5712 (printed at end of booklet Yud Tes Kislev—in Lashon HaKodesh—pp.30ff).

Summary

This letter teaches that both Chanukah and Yud Tes Kislev emphasize revealing inner G‑dly light—once hidden but now meant to be shared widely—with ever-increasing energy and illumination by every individual outward into the world.