Rav Kook ZT”L was known as the Baal HaOrot-The Master of Lights. Here are some of his central ideas and teachings about Chanukah-The Festival Of Lights.
“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.”
