By Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

As Yakov entered Mitzrayim he was concerned. Would it be possible to raise the Jewish family in such an exile. He sent Yehuda ahead to start a Yeshiva which he hoped would teach and inspire his descendents.

But it wasn’t until he saw Yosef’s sons, Efraim and Menashe, that he gained confidence regarding the task ahead. Efraim and Menashe were so great that they were worthy of being counted as Shevotim. If Yosef could raise such worthy children despite being in Mitzrayim, then it could be done. Yakov declared, “Through you shall the Jewish people bless their children. They shall say, ‘May Hashem make you like Efraim and Menashe.'” In this way Yakov set the goal for all: Go emulate the success story.

At first glance it seems odd. Does the fact that two children were raised successfully in exile mean that everyone can do it? Yet, this is the perspective that a Jew has when he witnesses greatness.

Rav Matisyahu Salamon relates how a question was once posed to Rav Shach regarding the children of a great Rosh Yeshiva who had passed away. Although both children were technically worthy of assuming their father’s position, it was the younger son who was clearly more capable and worthy of the position. After hearing the details of the case, Rav Shach  ruled that the younger son should be appointed as Rosh Yeshiva.

One of the people present respectfully objected. He said, “Shouldn’t we consider the enormous pain that the older brother will feel when he is passed over in favor of the younger brother? After all, when Ahron  heard that his younger brother, Moshe, was appointed to lead the Jewish people, the challenge was so great that when he rejoiced in the appointment, he was rewarded with the Choshen/ Breastplate. Don’t we see from here that it is enormously challenging to be passed over in favor of a younger brother?”

Rav Shach replied firmly, “That is not the way that a Jew is meant to study Torah. Surely Ahron was rewarded because he was the first to reach this great height of rejoicing in another person’s success. But now that Ahron did it, we are expected to strive to emulate Ahron’s behavior.”

This is the way of Torah study and Torah living. When we see greatness we do not say, “That’s them; this is me.” Rather we contemplate the energizing thought, “When will my actions rise to the level of the great ones who came before me.”

One of the great curiosities of the holiday of Chanukah is in the way we commemorate the miracle. One would expect that the miracle of the Menorah, which took place in the Beis Hamikdash, would be commemorated in the Beis hamikdash. Perhaps, by extension, the Rabbis of the day may have legislated  that the Menorah be lit in every shul, because the shul is the local representation of the Beis Hamikdash. But why did they legislate the mitzvah of the Menorah for every household? If we had been there the day after Chanukah of that fateful year of the miracle, would we have legislated the mitzvah of lighting the Menorah for every household, for every Jew?

Yet, Chazal legislated the Menorah as a mitzvah for every home.  By doing so they sent a message. “The heroism of the Chashmonoim to stand up for Torah and eventually rededicate the Beis Hamikdash in holiness, is not just the stuff of heroes. Now that the Chashmonoim did it, it is part of Judaism. It is  something that we can all emulate.” This is just as Ahron’s behavior and the success of Efraim and Menashe now are the goals of greatness for each and every Jew.

It is said that in his youth Rav Mordechai Gifter framed the pictures of a number of Torah Scholars and placed them in his room. He then wrote on a paper, “Why not you, too?” and framed that as well. In this way he expressed this beautiful message most clearly. Greatness in Torah isn’t other worldly, the stuff of heroes. Greatness in Torah is the goal of each and every Jew.

As we experience the holiday of Chanukah let us remind ourselves that the illumination of the Menorah is not limited to the Beis Hamikdash or the Chashmonoim of old. The light of the Menorah is limitless, and will warm and illuminate our path in the long winter months ahead.

 

With best wishes for a wonderful Shabbos and a Happy Chanukah!