The second blessing recited over kindling the Chanukah lights is,
Blessed are you, Hashem, our God, Who wrought miracles
for our forefathers, in those days at this season.
Jewish tradition attaches the signifigance of the holiday to the spiritual influence of its historical source. This influence repeats itself again every year through the observance of the holiday. We believe “history repeats itself” in a literal sense.
The following story poignantly demonstrates this principle.
A MODERN DAY CHANUKAH MIRACLE
The past twenty-five years as a volunteer chaplain at the University of Maryland Medical Center and John Hopkins University have given Moshe Sauer many opportunities to help others - while kindling within them a spiritual awareness of Hashem and His mitzvos. It hasn't always been easy for Moshe to meet his objectives. Moshe often marvels at the clear hand of Hashem that led him to success - even in the most unusual circumstances.
One Chanukah, Moshe walked into a hospital room and found a deathly ill Jewish man, together with his brother. He introduced himself as the Jewish chaplain, and began to talk with the two men. During the course of
the conversation, Moshe discovered that the two brothers had been
in business together and were still extremely close.
The brothers were clearly not religious, yet a hospital is often a catalyst to renewed interest in spiritual matters. Moshe asked them if they were interested in doing a mitzvah, as a source of merit for a recovery.
The two brothers looked at each other for a long moment. Finally, the visitor turned to Moshe.
"It certainly can't hurt," he said quietly. "Tell us what we need to do."
Moshe thought quickly. "It's Chanukah tonight," he mused aloud. "You could light the Chanukah menorah.
"That sounds perfect. We know all about Hanukah. Can you arrange it for us?"
Moshe suddenly realized that he was completely unprepared for this task. He had no menorah, oil or wicks - and he needed to get them fast, while the inspiration was still there.
"I'II be right back," he told the two men.
Blessed are you, Hashem, our God, Who wrought miracles
for our forefathers, in those days at this season.
Jewish tradition attaches the signifigance of the holiday to the spiritual influence of its historical source. This influence repeats itself again every year through the observance of the holiday. We believe “history repeats itself” in a literal sense.
The following story poignantly demonstrates this principle.
A MODERN DAY CHANUKAH MIRACLE
The past twenty-five years as a volunteer chaplain at the University of Maryland Medical Center and John Hopkins University have given Moshe Sauer many opportunities to help others - while kindling within them a spiritual awareness of Hashem and His mitzvos. It hasn't always been easy for Moshe to meet his objectives. Moshe often marvels at the clear hand of Hashem that led him to success - even in the most unusual circumstances.
One Chanukah, Moshe walked into a hospital room and found a deathly ill Jewish man, together with his brother. He introduced himself as the Jewish chaplain, and began to talk with the two men. During the course of
the conversation, Moshe discovered that the two brothers had been
in business together and were still extremely close.
The brothers were clearly not religious, yet a hospital is often a catalyst to renewed interest in spiritual matters. Moshe asked them if they were interested in doing a mitzvah, as a source of merit for a recovery.
The two brothers looked at each other for a long moment. Finally, the visitor turned to Moshe.
"It certainly can't hurt," he said quietly. "Tell us what we need to do."
Moshe thought quickly. "It's Chanukah tonight," he mused aloud. "You could light the Chanukah menorah.
"That sounds perfect. We know all about Hanukah. Can you arrange it for us?"
Moshe suddenly realized that he was completely unprepared for this task. He had no menorah, oil or wicks - and he needed to get them fast, while the inspiration was still there.
"I'II be right back," he told the two men.
He dashed out of the room and headed for the kitchens - only to find the doors locked for the night. Desperate, his eyes roamed the hallway, searching for some solution to his dilemma. He glanced at a nearby garbage can - and caught a glimpse of a soda cap on top of the pile.
"It may not be elegant," he muttered, "but it will have to do."
Moshe scooped up the cap, then proceeded to the nurses' station, where he asked for some gauze. "A few strands of this will make a fine wick," he thought appreciatively.
He had his menorah and the wick. Now he needed the oil. For this step, he knew he would have to get some help. The nurses were standing around, watching him curiously. Explaining his quest to them was the work of a moment. The sympathetic staff began searching for some oil - or any fuel that would work to kindle the tiny flame. They opened cupboards, searched through doors, and peered into shelves - with no luck. Suddenly, Moshe gave a triumphant shout.
"Look at this!"
To the astonishment of the nursing staff, he was holding up a small bottle of genuine olive oil! He had found it in a small cabinet that looked as if it had been abandoned for the past ten years.
"Is it all right for me to use it?" Moshe asked.
"It doesn't belong to anyone, as far as we can tell. Go ahead. "
Clutching all his paraphernalia, Moshe ran back into the room.
"I'm ready," he panted.
He quickly set up the makeshift menorah on a nearby table and prepared to light it, with the patient and his brother watching intently. The inappropriateness of lighting a fire in the intensive care unit hadn't occurred to anyone involved - they were all completely focused on the mitzvah.
"It may not be elegant," he muttered, "but it will have to do."
Moshe scooped up the cap, then proceeded to the nurses' station, where he asked for some gauze. "A few strands of this will make a fine wick," he thought appreciatively.
He had his menorah and the wick. Now he needed the oil. For this step, he knew he would have to get some help. The nurses were standing around, watching him curiously. Explaining his quest to them was the work of a moment. The sympathetic staff began searching for some oil - or any fuel that would work to kindle the tiny flame. They opened cupboards, searched through doors, and peered into shelves - with no luck. Suddenly, Moshe gave a triumphant shout.
"Look at this!"
To the astonishment of the nursing staff, he was holding up a small bottle of genuine olive oil! He had found it in a small cabinet that looked as if it had been abandoned for the past ten years.
"Is it all right for me to use it?" Moshe asked.
"It doesn't belong to anyone, as far as we can tell. Go ahead. "
Clutching all his paraphernalia, Moshe ran back into the room.
"I'm ready," he panted.
He quickly set up the makeshift menorah on a nearby table and prepared to light it, with the patient and his brother watching intently. The inappropriateness of lighting a fire in the intensive care unit hadn't occurred to anyone involved - they were all completely focused on the mitzvah.
Finally everything was ready. Moshe stood together with the two brothers and recited the appropriate blessings, then lit the small flame. As a spiritual blaze was kindled in the hearts of the two brothers, Moshe reflected on the Chanukah miracle he himself had witnessed - a small bottle of oil found in the most unlikely location, just as had occurred during the time of the Bais Hamikdash.
Source: From the booklet Vignettes of Greatness, A Compilation of Yom Tov Stories from the Acclaimed “Visions of Greatness” Series by Rabbi Yosef Weiss. CIS Publications. Lakewood, New Jersey. Original title of the story is, “An Emergency Chanukah”.
Source: From the booklet Vignettes of Greatness, A Compilation of Yom Tov Stories from the Acclaimed “Visions of Greatness” Series by Rabbi Yosef Weiss. CIS Publications. Lakewood, New Jersey. Original title of the story is, “An Emergency Chanukah”.