9252 —המשמעות העמוקה של חנוכה, אור, ושמחה לנשים

B"H, during the days of Chanukah, 5727.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shavaz Mrs. Devorah Leah may she live.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I received your letter with its enclosure in due time. Please forgive me for the delay in acknowledging it until now; this was due to several reasons, primarily based on our Sages' saying: "Merit is brought about on a meritorious day." And these days—Chanukah—are days whose mitzvah is lighting candles from sunset onward, in a manner of increasing and adding each day. The lighting is done in a place (and manner) that illuminates even the outside—but with light that comes from within, as our Sages say: "At the entrance of his house outward."

Just as the first Chanukah's effects lasted throughout that year and subsequent years—when they came to Your holy dwelling, cleared it out etc., purified it etc., and lit candles—so too every year’s Chanukah has similar effects; they serve as a remembrance (and in a way) similar to what happened to our ancestors at that time.

Another characteristic point about Chanukah: although the reason for lighting Chanukah candles is the miracle with the Menorah of seven branches, fulfilling the mitzvah involves adding beyond the original reason (eight candles).

Seemingly, light and joy are two separate concepts; moreover, Scripture distinguishes between them: "Light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart" (Tehillim 97:11). Our Sages emphasize: not everyone merits light nor everyone joy; righteous people receive light and upright people receive joy (Taanis 15a). But certainly there is a strong connection between them.

This connection is understood based on what is said: "From Above does not come forth evil" (Eichah 3:38), and in familiar language: "All that the Merciful One does is for good" (Berachos 60b). However, human intellect by nature is limited; the concealment of the world around him and its darkness increase this limitation. As a result, one cannot always penetrate to the depth of matters. When by G‑d’s kindness this surrounding darkness is illuminated—and the channel and path for this are our Torah and its mitzvos about which it says: "A mitzvah is a candle and Torah is light" (Mishlei 6:23)—this illumination reveals and shows the true essence of every matter and its outcomes. Then ultimately (from this illumination) one comes to joy.

Regarding Chanukah’s mitzvos and their content—women are obligated just like men. According to Rashi’s explanation—the foremost commentator—the miracle occurred through a woman (Shabbos 23a).

The explanation and lesson from all this—certainly there’s no need to elaborate regarding you personally.

P.S. To your son Yosef may he live—and to both of you I send wishes for an illuminating Chanukah and for drawing down this light into all days following.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that Chanukah’s increasing light brings inner illumination outwardly into our lives. Both women and men share equally in this mitzvah because of their role in its miracle. Through Torah and mitzvos we reveal true goodness—even amid darkness—and reach authentic joy.