Chanuka is often described as the Festival of Lights. We find “light” being used in regard to the mitzvah of Pesach where the Gemora learns that one should use a light to search forchametz[1] based on the verse in Mishlei which says, “Man’s soul is Hashem’s lamp which searches all the innermost parts.”[2] Accordingly, Rav Pincus learns that Chanuka, which the Gemora describes the mitzvah as ner ish ubeiso, light for a man and his household[3], also requires us to search for something.
What are we supposed to be searching for?[4]
The seforim hakedoshim describe Chanuka as the Festival of the Oral Torah.[5]Furthermore, the entire battle between the Greeks and the Jews was because the Greeks attempted to make the Jews forget the Torah.[6] Therefore, it stands to reason that the light of Chanuka should be used to search within ourselves whether we are learning enough Torah and showing suitable appreciation towards it and its scholars. We are told that the spiritual entities of each festival return each year;[7] therefore, in essence, we — this year — are once again fighting the Greeks who are trying to make us forget our Torah. As such, it’s specifically during Chanuka that we should strengthen our learning and our appreciation of Torah. And just like the negative spiritual entity of the Greeks is present during Chanuka, so is the positive spiritual entity of the Maccaabim who were willing to sacrifice everything to protect the Torah. Therefore, this Chanuka, if we make a commitment to increase our Torah study, no matter how hard it is, we will surely achieve the Heavenly help we need to be successful.
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