As Chanukah 5786 began, our hearts were made heavy. Our Festival of Light opened with unfathomable darkness, as fifteen Jews were brutally murdered al Kiddush Hashem while a public menorah lighting at Bondi Beach was just getting underway. Among those murdered were two rabbis - shluchim of the Rebbe serving the Jewish community, a Holocaust survivor, and a ten-year-old child. Dozens more were wounded, many critically. Before the menorah could be lit, murderous violence erupted, leaving parents bereaved, spouses widowed, children orphaned, and an entire community profoundly traumatized. There are no words that make this make sense. And our Emunah and Bitachon (faith and trust) in Hashem, do not ask us to pretend otherwise. But Chanukah was never about denying the darkness. It was about bringing light into it, and ultimately eradicating it, by allowing that light to shine forth. This Chanukah, we mourned. We cried. We prayed. For the wounded, for the families whose lives were forever changed, and for the safety of Jewish communities everywhere. And at the very same time, we did not withdraw from who we are. Not even for a moment. In fact, remarkably, we did exactly the opposite. Across cities and continents, The Rebbe's Shluchim uplifted and inspired many, gathering crowds to observe and celebrate a Chanukah unlike any other in living memory. Menorahs were lit proudly and publicly. Jewish life was lived openly. Torah ideas were shared and taught. Acts of kindness multiplied. Songs of faith were sung, and the joy of Yiddishkeit carried the days. This attack was meant to frighten Jews away from public Jewish life. It was meant to make visible Jewish practice feel unsafe, optional, or negotiable. They expected us to shrink into the shadows. Instead, it magnified the light. Exponentially. Chanukah’s presence was elevated in ways we could not have previously imagined. Menorahs shone more brightly than ever, and the light of Yiddishkeit spread outward with joyful resolve, without hesitation and without apology. Not as an act of protest, and not to make a statement. But because this is how The Rebbe taught his Chassidim and Shluchim to live. Because this is what our mission demands: not merely to continue bringing light, but to increase its intensity precisely where darkness tried to take hold. As we reflect on Chanukah 5786, we are reminded that light does not need to shout. It simply needs to be increased. We continue to pray that Hashem comfort the mourners, heal the wounded, protect our communities, and bring an end to this senseless cruelty. And we commit ourselves to strengthening all that brings light into the world. And we resolve to strengthen our Shlichut: to increase the study of Torah, the performance of mitzvot, and the spread of light with greater clarity and commitment - precisely in the places where darkness sought to prevail - to hasten the long-awaited arrival of Moshiach, speedily and in our days. Amen.

This Special Holiday Series: LOVE, LIGHTS, HANUKKAH! is designed to illuminate the meaning of our Jewish Festival of Lights by highlighting little known details of the Historical, Theological, Halachik and Spiritual underpinnings of Chanukah. The Sixth Episode, entitled THE LIGHTHOUSE shines a bright light on technical obligation of Chanukah's radiant Mitzvah: Lighting the Menorah! Just about everyone knows that the formal ritual of the Jewish Festival of Lights revolves around the kindling of a Chanukah flames, as established by our Sages from the very beginning. Clearly, this Mitzvah occupies the central space in the observance and celebration of this glowing holiday. Halacha has much to say, not only the timing and fueling of this commandment, but the living conditions that are required for the Mitzvah to apply altogether. The necessity of a formal dwelling, and what establishes it is the subject of this encompassing discussion. Do your sleeping quarters, or the place of dining serve as the primary place of one's dwelling. The exploration of the jurisprudence that resolves this questions of what establishes personal space also leads to fresh insight about the Menorah's message, ultimately illuminating the issue and providing resolution. Whatever your level of Torah literacy this presentation will present an important grasp of the Mitzvah obligations the defines this illuminating holiday! The contents of this Sixth Episode of our special holiday series are stand alone, and not necessarily linked to the other presentations.    

Special Chanukah Series: LOVE, LIGHTS, HANUKKAH! : Designed to illuminate the meaning of our Jewish Festival of Lights by highlighting little known details of the Historical, Theological and Spiritual underpinnings of Chanukah. The observance of the Jewish Festival of Lights, known as Chanukah revolves primarily around the kindling of the Menorah, as established by our Sages from the very beginning. Clearly, this Mitzvah occupies a central space in the observance and celebration of this outstanding holiday. Interestingly, the Halacha governs not only the timing and fueling of this glowing commemoration, but also, it's placement. Our Sages not only pressed for public placement -- at the outer gateways of our homes -- they further identified the left side as most appropriate. The creation of an all-encompassing entrance way appears to account for this arrangement, yet, to be sure this sinister space seems out of step and place. The ensuing exploration of the jurisprudence governing this anomaly brings other possibilities to light. Upon encountering additional difficulties, we are led to newfound insight about the Menorah's message, which sheds much light -- ultimately illuminating the issue and leading us on to incredible discoveries! Whatever you level of Jewish knowledge, literacy background this presentation will present a fascinating fresh understanding of the Menorah and the powerful rays it projects into the darkness! The Fifth Episode of our special holiday series has been generously sponsored by Gail and Marty Bergman to honour and elevate the soul of her late mother, Marilyn Godel, (Miriam bat Arye Leib) whose Shloshim is observed on this Fifth day of Chanukah.

Special Chanukah Series: LOVE, LIGHTS, HANUKKAH! : Fascinating secrets of our Festival of Lights are embedded into the Talmud's account of Chanukah as well as in the Al Hanissim prayer formula. More than 2,000 years ago the secrets of our Festival of Lights were encoded into a prayer formula. The coder was recently deciphered, and the incredible story is now available to the public! This exciting third episode of the series sets out to decode the text of an ancient prayer formula and reveal the mysterious secret of light in contains. This penetrating and insightful analysis of the traditional text of Al HaNissim through a prism of copious sources will illuminate the story you thought you knew, bathing it in a whole new light. Here's a hint: Was there More than 1 Menorah Lit in the Original Story? The Holiday Liturgy speaks of “Kindled Flames” in “Holy Courtyards.” Yet the Temple Menorah only glowed behind closed doors. This anomaly will light up new pathways of understanding about how and why we originally lit things up, very differently than we tend to think of.

Special Chanukah Series: LOVE, LIGHTS, HANUKKAH! : Fascinating secrets of our Festival of Lights are embedded into the Talmud's account of Chanukah as well as in the Al Hanissim prayer formula. This fourth and final episode of the series mines the unique syntax of both as well as the names and materials that appear in the narrative. This incredible presentation will dig deep to uncover the "real dirt" on Chanukah, because in truth it far broader than just Tainted Oil! Drawing on a wide range of sources insightful pieced together a new panorama emerges. Here we will hydrate and moisten the fertile soil of the story so that fresh growth can blossom! Ultimately, Chanukah goes far beyond a courageous battle against a brutal occupation by a Foreign Power. In fact, it was (and in many ways still is!) an ideological struggle over the very Soul of Israel. The enemy sought (and still seeks!) to extinguish our Flame by Dirtying our Water. Chanukah is about our miraculous victory against those very dark forces. Then, and forever! Rabbi Mendel Kaplen

Special Chanukah Series: LOVE, LIGHTS, HANUKKAH! Episode Two: : What, precisely does Our Festival of Lights Commemorate and Celebrate? In this second episode we will focus on the formal ordination of the festival called Chanukah,. and the enactment of its sacred observances established by our Sages. This penetrating and insightful analysis of the traditional sources including Talmudic and medieval Rabbinic writings will highlight two significantly divergent, yet ultimately authentic approaches to the Torah underpinning of our Jewish Festival of Lights. Whatever you level of Jewish knowledge, literacy background this presentation will reveal surprising dimensions of our religious observance of Chanukah. In point form: Were we directed to be party to Joyous Spirits, or are these spiritual festivities to be experienced and enjoyed in the spirit of a Joyous Party as well? Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

Special Chanukah Series: LOVE, LIGHTS, HANUKKAH! : What actually sparked the entire story of Chanukah? In this first episode we will focus on the almost never talked about beginning of what is historically known as the Hasmonean or Maccabean Revolt. Analyzing ancient Midrashic, Talmudic and even medieval Rabbinic sources points us towards a little-known, and rather shocking historic narrative. It will also shine a spotlight on Chanukah heroes almost no one has ever heard of! Watch this learn why although the story of the Maccabean Revolt and the wonders of Chanukah military struggle and the iconic of the tiny jug of oil that miraculously burned for eight days are common knowledge the origins of these watershed events weren’t well illuminated. There’s got to good reason for the cover-up... my guess may be no better than yours, yet a talk the Rebbe once delivered to a group of schoolchildren may provide just the insight we need! Rabbi Mendel Kaplan