Shine Bright & Spread More Light

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January 30 2009
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Since I assumed the responsibilities as President of Yeshiva University, I have been bothered, "How can I make this already great institution even better?" Thank G-d we already are a premier institution of advanced learning; we are proud that the Torah we teach is unparalleled and that our students graduate prepared to excel in any career that they choose. We do so much good, yet I believe that we can do better. How?
It seems that we have a responsibility to prepare our students for more than professional success and commitment to Torah. Our students, with their background of Torah, mitzvos and Jewish values should be the leaders of their respective communities. We should be the ones who shape the political landscape, both here and in Israel. I have learned from my years in Hillel that the world craves for our message of commitment both to Torah and to the best that Western civilization has to offer. Our leadership is desperately sought. We must advance Western civilization and not merely defend it.
This in part is the message of Chanukah. The halacha is that Chanukah candles should ideally be lit outdoors, for all to see. Even today when we light indoors, we light by a window to better publicize our message. Chanukah is about spreading the light and warmth of Torah and mitzvos to those outside. We cannot worry only about ourselves. We must be committed to spreading the warmth and light of Torah to those who are outside. We should be proud ofwho we are and shine brightly for all to see. The basic minimum requirement of Chanukah is for each household to light a single candle every night. Every Jewish home should be lit and warmed by a candle so that all who enter will share in the joy.
However we all follow the mehadrin requirement as set forward by Beis Hillel. We all light one candle the first night and add another candle every subsequent night. The message is that we must always strive to grow more and to shine ever brighter and spread more warmth. The recently released National Jewish Population Survey tells us that 69% of American Jews who describe themselves as unaffiliated and 94% of those who term themselves highly-affiliated, light Chanukah candles. Chanukah is extremely popular; the light and warmth continue to spread. However, we must do more. We cannot be content with the minimum requirement when it comes to spreading the light of Torah. We must all try to fulfill the mehadrin, spreading the light of Torah to the farthest reaches of the world.

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    Learning on the Marcos and Adina Katz YUTorah site is sponsored today by Judy & Mark Frankel & family l'ilui nishmos מרדכי בן הרב משה יהודה ע"ה and משה יהודה ז"ל בן מאיר אליהו ויהודית and by the Polinsky Family to commemorate the 5th Yahrzeit of Gil Polinsky, Gedalyahu Gootmun Chaim ben Yaakov Dov