Listen To The Lights | A Letter From The Rebbe | English

The lighting of Hanukkah menorahs in public spaces was initiated by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson and gave rise to the now ubiquitous menorahs that stand in city squares, malls and parks across the United States of America and the world. On the eve of Hanukkah 1980 the Rebbe wrote a letter explaining the reasoning and inspiration of the public menorah. To all participants in the public lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah in the USA, greeting and blessing. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights recalls the victory more than 2100 years ago of a militarily weak but spiritually strong Jewish people over the mighty forces of a ruthless enemy that had overrun the Holy Land and threatened to engulf the land and its people in darkness The miraculous victory culminating with the dedication of a sanctuary in Jerusalem and the rekindling of the menorah which had been desecrated and extinguished by the enemy has been celebrated annually ever since during these eight days of Hanukkah especially by lighting the Hanukkah menorah also as a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness. it is a timely and reassuring message for the forces of darkness are ever present. Moreover the danger does not come exclusively from the outside, it often lurks close to home in the form of insidious erosion of time-honored values and principles that are at the foundation of any decent human society, needless to say darkness is not chased away by brooms and sticks but by illumination Our sages said a little light expels a lot of Darkness Chanukah lights reminds us in the most obvious way that illumination begins at home within oneself and one's family by increasing and intensifying the light of Torah & Mitzvahs in the everyday experience even as the Hanukkah lights are kindled in the growing numbers from day to day but though it begins at home it does not stop there such is the nature of light that when one kindles a light for one's own benefit it benefits also all who are in the vicinity indeed the Hanukkah lights are expressly meant to illuminate the outside, symbolically alluding to the duty to bring light also to those who for one reason or another still walk in darkness. Rebbe thank you, and happy chanukah. You too! i'll be happy with your lighting on chanukah - it must also illuminate the outside, also. Thank you Rebbe! That is the message of Hanukkah; to light the front door in such a manner that it lights up the street arouud you, also. Thank you Rebbe I need it in my neighborhood. May G-d almighty bless you. What is true of the individual is true of a Nation especially this great United States, United under God and generously blessed by God material as well as spiritual riches. It is truly the duty and privilege of this nation to promote all the forces of life both at home and abroad and in a steadily growing measure. Let us pray that the message of the Hanukkah lights will illuminate the everyday life of everyone personally and of the society at large for a brighter life in every respect both materially and spiritually with esteem and blessing, in the spirit of Hanukkah M. Schneerson [Music]