Summary of Torah Ohr Vayeishev Daf 29a-30a w/ Rabbi Dovid Leib Shmerling

• Regarding the miracle of Chanukah:

Q1: What is the significance of the Hallel v’Hodaah that was established for this Yomtov?

Q2: Why did we establish the lighting of candles, which reminds us of the BH”M, specifically for this Y”T?

Q3: What is the relationship between Hallel and the candles?

• We need to understand the inner meaning of the Menorah:
• The seven candles of the Menorah represent the seven middos
• These seven middos exist in kedusha/the Nefesh Elokis, and also in Kelippah/Nefesh Habehamis (and the latter are corrupted versions of the former and draw their energy from them)
• The purpose is to refine the seven middos of the NH”B, and this happens through Chochmah, Or. 
• At Night (Galus) we need to draw Chochma into each individual middah, whereas  by day, it is sufficient to draw Chochma into one midda, from which it automatically effects all the others.
• Aharon drew the level of Chochma into the seven middos of Creation, and into all Neshamos. (Explanation of the name Yaakov in this context).
• In addition to the Menorah, there is also the avodah of Ketores. This avodah is to elevate the “letters” created by our negative thoughts, words, and actions. These cannot be rectified through Chochmah, which can only effect the  Middos themselves; it requires a higher level to redeem these less spiritual “letters”.
• The way the various components of the Avodah in the BH”M occur in our current avodah:
• Dam Tamid/Tamid: the N”E is always aware of Elokus. The NH”B is not. When the N”E teaches the NH”B what it knows and “converts” it, the NH”B brings with it a sheer force which is greater than that of the N”E. This force allows the N”E to reach heights it could not attain on its own. This is the level of Bchol Levavcha.
• Hadlokas HaMenorah: as mentioned above, Menorah=Or=Chochmah. Chochma=Limmud Hatorah, which effects the entirety of ones Nefesh through its primary element, Sechel. This is the level of Bchol Nafshecha. 
• Ketores: Mitzvos Maasiyos, and especially Tzedakah. These allow for the Or of Torah to settle within and have an effect upon the person. They also have a defensive function against Kelipah. Mitzvot/Tzedaka allows the deepest part of one’s Sechel to influence the deepest part of ones Lev, and draws the deepest part of Hashem into this world. This is the level of Bchol Meodcha (Mamnocha).
• Eivarim/Cheilev: Cheilev=Taanug. After these three stages, one reaches a place in which he has pleasure only in Elokus. This in turn causes him to do Mitzvos, which leads to his appreciation of Torah, in an endless cycle.
• The Meaning of Chanuka/Chanukas Hamizbeach/Chanukas Habayis: 
• Chinuch= expanding the capacity of something through a very intense form of education. 
• The Nesiim “educated”, expanded the capacity of the Avodah in the BH”M through overwhelming it with gifts and Karabanos. This is what allowed the everyday Karbanos to achieve what they needed to. 
• On Chanukah, through our MS”N, we elicited a new Gilui in Torah and in the world.

Concepts

1. Birur Hamiddos (through Chochma)
2. Koach HaNefesh HaBehamis
3. Avodas HaMikdash B’Zman HaZeh
4. Mitzvot=Hamshochas Ha’Atzmus

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