“When the kingdom of the Hasmoneans was victorious, they searched and found only one cruse of oil with the seal of the high priest intact. It had enough oil to light the candelabrum for one day, but amiracle occurred and they lit [the candelabrum] with it for eight days.” Tractate Shabbat 21b
Rav Kook wrote this essay in 1935 aware of the “evil winds carrying unbridled hatred toward Israel...”: It is a mitzvah to place the Chanukah lamp on the outside of one’s doorway, but during times of danger, it is sufficient to place it upon one’s table. -Tractate...
“Each of us is required to kindle our unique light in order to help fully illuminate the world.”
“The firmer our vision of universality- the greater the joy we will experience and the more we merit the grace of divine illumination.”
“On the holy day of Yom HaKippurim- we eat and drink from our holy inner voices of understanding.”
“As the year is renewed the power of renewal elevates the human will and adds holiness to all.”
“The highest sensibility in the soul of the people of Israel is the quest for universal justice and morality.”
“The heart must be filled with love for all.
“The love of all creation comes first, then comes the love for all humankind.”
Rav Kook gave expression to the Torah of Love transforming from the the Torah of Yirah-Awe/Fear that characterized the Torah during our long exile from Israel.
“If we [the second Temple] were destroyed, and the world with us, through needless hatred, we will be re-built and the world with us, through unconditional love.” (Rav Kook)
