Machshava:

Chanukah 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Chanuka

Description

When he wrestled with the malach (angel), Yaakov was l'vado (by himself), like Hashem. Although Hashem needs nothing, He nonetheless created a world where our actions are 'needed'. A true wise person is alone in his wisdom. A true powerful person has an inner power to conquer himself. A true wealthy person is not dependent on externals to feel rich. Like Hashem, and like Yaakov, the Jewish people stand alone in the world. Lighting Chanukah candles outside is about searching for ourselves outside of our familial influences.