Chanukah ILLUMINATES TeveS
Teves opens with Parshas Vayigash, when the Jews leave Eretz Yisrael for Galus, and continues with Vayechi, Shemos and Vaeira, where Jews languish in the Egyptian exile. It was also in Teves that the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash began, with the siege of Yerushalayim.
The longest, darkest nights of the year, when pagan holidays are celebrated, also occur in Teves. Nittel, the longest night of the year, when the tumah is so strong that many have the custom of not learning Torah (much as one may not do so in the bathroom) is also in Teves.
Chanukah accomplishes something marvelous. It does not remain confined to Kislev, it trespasses right into the domain of Eisav and shines the bright light of Mashiach into the dark month of Galus.
The longest, darkest nights of the year, when pagan holidays are celebrated, also occur in Teves. Nittel, the longest night of the year, when the tumah is so strong that many have the custom of not learning Torah (much as one may not do so in the bathroom) is also in Teves.
Chanukah accomplishes something marvelous. It does not remain confined to Kislev, it trespasses right into the domain of Eisav and shines the bright light of Mashiach into the dark month of Galus.
What a tremendous blow to the Sitra Achra that Chanukah takes over the first few days of its month. This is hinted at by Chabakuk (3:13) "מָחַצְתָּ ראשׁ מִבֵּית רָשָׁע" , ‘You shattered the head of the house of the evil one’. Without a head, the snake is much less lethal.
~ Harav Moshe Wolfson זצ’’ל