Break Away From Your Astrological Speculations

Did you know that the number 8 means beyond nature? Chanukah is a time of miracles, and it is also the final chance from Rosh Hashana to ask Hashem for anything and everything. Jews all over the world light Chanukah candles, and the tradition is to gaze for 30 minutes, some in a deep meditation while others are marveling at the beauty of kindling a new light. Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi emphasizes that ” A little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness.”

Once again we are thrown into darkness, the first night of Chanukah in the first place in the world lighting for the first time, a terrorist attack in Bondi Beach, Australia. Our answer, we keep shining our light, and teaching our kids to be loud and proud Jews. The world and nature have not changed throughout history, patterns of hatred and violence happen right in front of our eyes, but Jews have survived, and will keep thriving.

What keeps us rooted is Torah, community and trust in Hashem. Each week the Torah portion directly correlates to modern times. In the first part of the book of Bereishit, Genesis, we read about the creation of the world and our forefathers Abraham and Isaac. I love to get inspired, reading my Torah Studies book by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Abraham and his wife Sarah were getting older and praying for a child. When God tells him he will have a child in their old age, although by nature he foresaw that he would be childless, the Rabbi’s explain that the Torah says the phrase “He brought him outside,” meaning “Break away from your astrological speculations.”

Gedale Fenster just posted that “Chanukah is not just about oil. It is an astrological war.” Hellenist Greeks wanted Jews to assimilate into their culture, to let go of traditions such as Shabbat, Kosher and Circumcision. Our connection to the Jewish way of life and following the Torah puts Jewish people above the stars. We are not influenced by astrological forces like people that believe in them. Jews believe that everything is in the hands of God and ultimately above nature.

Last week’s Torah portion, Vayeshev, talks about the next generation, the story of our Patriarch Jacob, and the twelve tribes. Jews are Jacob’s children, and the story of his son Yehuda links directly to Chanukah. When Tamar was pregnant, she had the Staff, Cloak and Signet Ring to prove that Yehuda was the father. The fascinating GEMATRIA (numerology of the Hebrew letters) is from Rabbi Moshe Levin of Los Angeles.

• Gematria of the Staff equals Menorah
• Gematria of the Cloak equals Wick
• Gematria of the Signet Ring equals Pure Oil

Tamar was pregnant three months from Rosh Hashana to Chanukah. The judgement of Rosh Hashana is finalized on Chanukah. We are able to gaze at the candles, bring heaven down to earth, and choose to be proud Jews in the world. I was listening to a class by Rabbi Avraham Zajacs of Los Angeles, and he was saying how it is as important to protect and defend ourselves as it is to keep shining our light bright with Torah and Mitzvot. I am so grateful for our soldiers in the IDF, that fearlessly and passionately enlist and defend our homeland and the nation of Israel. We are still waiting on one more hostage to come home, Ran Gvili.

Am Yisroel Chai

Chag Chanukah Sameach