Rabbi Yitzchok Austin
Upcoming Services
London Shabbat Times
Parsha resources here.
Melaveh Malka 16/03/24
Melaveh Malka 13/01/24
Chanukah message from Rabbi Yitzchok Austin
Why do we light the Menorah on Chanukah? After defeating the Greeks and entering the holy Temple the Jewish people found it defiled and impure. They miraculously found one jug of oil which had the seal of the high priest still intact. With this they lit the Menorah which was part of the daily Temple service and, instead of lasting one day, it lasted eight days.
However, the Menorah in the Temple had seven branches, whereas our Menorah has eight. If we are commemorating the miracle of Chanukah shouldn't we also light seven lights?
The miracle of Chanukah happened after a period of decrees against the practice of Torah and mitzvos and the cessation of the Temple service. G-d gave us the ability to overcome those challenges and to increase the light of Torah and mitzvos. In order to overcome that difficult period in our history we needed to increase the amount of holiness and light so as to negate the darkness.
Each of our homes is like a miniature Temple and each day of Chanukah we light another candle to increase the light. One would think that on the seventh evening we have completed the commemoration of the Chanukah story. But no, the next evening we light the eighth candle to increase the light even more than there was in the Temple! This is how we complete the mitzvah of lighting the Menorah and with it that light should carry us through the rest of the year keeping us warm, illuminated and inspired.
If this idea was relevant then, it is certainly relevant now. We are living in unprecedented and challenging times. We may think, how can I keep up my Yiddishkeit? This is the message of Chanukah. Be strong and proud of who you are, and don't just stop at lighting up your own home. With your Menorah facing the outside, you can make a difference, you can add light and goodness to your surroundings.
May we merit this Chanukah to see the lighting of the Menorah in our holy Temple.
With blessings of peace and tranquillity.
Happy Chanukah
Rabbi Yitzchok Austin
Why do we light the Menorah on Chanukah? After defeating the Greeks and entering the holy Temple the Jewish people found it defiled and impure. They miraculously found one jug of oil which had the seal of the high priest still intact. With this they lit the Menorah which was part of the daily Temple service and, instead of lasting one day, it lasted eight days.
However, the Menorah in the Temple had seven branches, whereas our Menorah has eight. If we are commemorating the miracle of Chanukah shouldn't we also light seven lights?
The miracle of Chanukah happened after a period of decrees against the practice of Torah and mitzvos and the cessation of the Temple service. G-d gave us the ability to overcome those challenges and to increase the light of Torah and mitzvos. In order to overcome that difficult period in our history we needed to increase the amount of holiness and light so as to negate the darkness.
Each of our homes is like a miniature Temple and each day of Chanukah we light another candle to increase the light. One would think that on the seventh evening we have completed the commemoration of the Chanukah story. But no, the next evening we light the eighth candle to increase the light even more than there was in the Temple! This is how we complete the mitzvah of lighting the Menorah and with it that light should carry us through the rest of the year keeping us warm, illuminated and inspired.
If this idea was relevant then, it is certainly relevant now. We are living in unprecedented and challenging times. We may think, how can I keep up my Yiddishkeit? This is the message of Chanukah. Be strong and proud of who you are, and don't just stop at lighting up your own home. With your Menorah facing the outside, you can make a difference, you can add light and goodness to your surroundings.
May we merit this Chanukah to see the lighting of the Menorah in our holy Temple.
With blessings of peace and tranquillity.
Happy Chanukah
Rabbi Yitzchok Austin
Melaveh Malka 04/11/23
Melaveh Malka 10/12/22
Melaveh Malka 12/11/22
Melaveh Malka 16/10/21
Havdalah with Rev Menasche
Rev Menasche and Chazzan Steve at the Pre-Rosh Hashanah Kumzitz