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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1298
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                           Copyright (c) 2013
                 Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
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             THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON
   Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E.
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        November 29, 2013        Miketz          26 Kislev, 5774
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                            Potatoes and Oil

                         by Rabbi Yisrael Rice

I have been asked to explain the inner meaning of many Jewish
observances, but eating potato latkes (pancakes) on Chanuka has never
been one of them.

After all, what is there not to understand? Take a bite, chew, and
swallow. Repeat this several times until you have eaten six latkes too
many.

Few have ventured into the deep mystical symbolism of the latke. But let
me break with tradition.

I don't want to upset Jews in Idaho, but the operative ingredient in the
potato latke is not the potato; it's the oil. (Proof: Israelis eat the
sufganiya - a deep fried pastry, also known as a jelly donut.)

To make a long story short, after years of Greek oppression the Jews
were miraculously victorious. When we entered our Holy Temple we found
that everything was defiled. The services could not be performed until
ritually fit materials were procured. One jug of olive oil was still
sealed by the High Priest. There was enough oil to light the menora in
the Temple for only one day, but a miracle occurred and it lasted for
eight days.

So, in addition to lighting the special Chanuka menora for eight days,
we indulge in potato latkes dripping in oil.

Why oil? Because oil, specifically olive oil, expresses the secret of
Jewish survival. Olive oil is produced by crushing the olive. Even
squeezing is not sufficient; this would produce mere olive juice. When
the olive is crushed, the substance that floats on top is oil.

Kabalistically, this oil is a symbol of the essence of the Jewish soul.
It may not be revealed at all times, but it is always there. This
internal spiritual 'oil' fuels the flame of our soul. It is our
immutable connection with G-d.

There are times in our lives when the olive is crushed. We are placed
under immense pressures from within and without that challenge our
Jewish observance. This was the story of Chanuka. A small courageous
band of Jews took on the powerful Greek army who wished to obliterate
our identity.

This did not make any sense. Compromise would have seemed a more
effective route. We were outnumbered by far and had an inferior war
apparatus. We could have gone underground with that which offended the
Greeks.

What made us think we could pull this off? Nothing! It was not a
rational decision.

So often we live our lives without taking into account who we really
are. When someone challenges our very existence it forces us to take a
serious look at who we are, what we are at our most essential point. We
often compromise what we do or how we express ourselves. But we cannot
compromise or change our essence.

This is the oil; it hides and is almost invisible inside the fruit. But
when push comes to shove, when it is broken and crushed, the essence
comes out, and it floats on top of all else.

We must always take time to explore and return to our true selves. If we
do not, someone else will bring us back by challenging our existence.

Preceding the Chanuka story, the Greeks instituted stifling decrees
against Jewish observance. This challenge to our essence called out the
core spark of the Jewish people. Present in the depth of every soul,
this is known as the "Pintele Yid" - the Essential Jewish Self.

Jewish survival prevailed and we were granted a miracle of oil. The Holy
Temple was eventually destroyed, the seven-branched menora is no longer
lit. But the Chanuka menora of eight branches continues to illuminate
the long exile until we will once again light the menora in the Third
Holy Temple.

Now, finish eating that latke before it gets cold!

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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Towards the end of this week's Torah portion, Mikeitz, Joseph's brothers
return to Egypt and are invited into Joseph's royal abode. Joseph
commands his steward to prepare a special meal for the guests:
"Slaughter an animal and make ready..."

The Talmud explains that when Joseph said "slaughter an animal and make
ready" it meant that the meat should be slaughtered and prepared
according to the kosher laws. In other words, Joseph was ordering an
obviously kosher meal for his brothers.

The fact that the Torah goes out of its way to make the point that the
meal was kosher is significant, as this is not the first time a meal is
mentioned in the Torah. Abraham made a celebration on the day Isaac was
weaned: "And Abraham made a great feast on the day the child was
weaned." Similarly, "And Jacob offered a sacrifice upon the mountain,
and summoned his brothers to eat bread," and there are many other
examples. Yet in none of these other instances does the Torah emphasize
that the meal was kosher.

The reason it does so here is two-fold: to emphasize how Joseph behaved
toward his brothers and to teach us how to behave toward guests. To
explain in more detail:

On the one hand, Joseph made believe he didn't know his brothers and
spoke harshly to them. This was done to determine if they really
regretted having sold him. On the other hand, Joseph kept dropping hints
as to his own identity, so that his brothers would believe him when he
revealed his secret.

To illustrate: When Joseph had Shimon detained, it was only "before
their [the brothers'] eyes." As Rashi notes, "As soon as they left,
Joseph took him out of prison and gave him food and drink." Surely
later, Shimon told his brothers that he had been freed by Joseph. And
that Shimon had been wined and dined by him suggested that Joseph was no
stranger.

Later, at the banquet, Joseph continued to deliberately act in a manner
that would arouse suspicion, seating the brothers in the correct order
of their ages, till "they marveled at one another."

Interpreted in this light, when Joseph said "And slaughter an animal and
make ready," his intention was to convey that he was aware of the laws
of kashrut. This was yet another hint designed to make it easier for his
brothers to accept the truth.

This story also contains a lesson in how a Jew should observe the mitzva
of hospitality: Although Joseph was not sure that his brothers would
even partake of the meal, he nonetheless spared no effort or expense. A
host must always try to accommodate his guests in every way, even if it
involves a substantial investment. Indeed, demonstrating extra love for
our fellow Jew will nullify the reason for the exile, and will bring
about the Final Redemption with Moshiach.

                       Adapted from Likutei Sichot, vol. 35 pg. 181

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                      The Power of a Chanuka Stamp
                        by Rabbi Mordechai Hecht

It was Chanuka 2007, my first year as an emissary of the Lubavitcher
Rebbe in my home town of Forest Hills, New York. As I stood in line in
the local post office waiting to buy some stamps, I noticed a woman at
the counter was quite upset after learning that there were no more
Christmas stamps. "What do you have then?" she asked, "We have first
class and Chanuka ones," the clerk replied. "I don't want Chanuka
stamps!" she responded. Immediately, the man in front of me shouted out
"I'll take the Chanuka stamps, give me a whole bunch of them!"

Matt was a proud Jew! In public he did not care to proclaim his Judaism
and his Jewish pride. And so I introduced myself, "My name is Mordechai
from Chabad, nice to meet you." He replied emphatically, "I put on
Tefilin every Friday with those guys on 108th Street and I put a few
dollars in the pushkie" - referring to the charity box - "all the time."

Matt had had some downs in his life; through a difficult divorce and
loss of his business. But my impression of Matt was that he was
optimistic for the future. We would talk from time to time about life,
business, the neighborhood and more. Matt often joined us for Friday
night dinners in our Chabad Home and he enjoyed them very much.

One day Matt called and said, "The most frightening thing in my life
happened to me." He told me that his next door neighbor, an elderly lady
who he would check on quite often, was very ill. The other day she told
Matt that she was not feeling well and he immediately called an
ambulance. Before the ambulance arrived, she passed away right next to
him in his hands. He said, "Rabbi, it was so scary. I feel so bad for
her, and I don't know what to do, and I didn't know who to call, so I
called you,."

Wow! After a few minutes of conversation I said, "Matt, I was always
taught that the Mezuza serves as a protection not just for the home but
for the well being of the people in it. Perhaps you might consider
getting Mezuzas in your home to serve as protection and a little peace
of mind."

"Rabbi," he began, "I know there are Mezuzas on our door but they are
probably not kosher. Go ahead and get me two new Mezuzas - one for my
door and one for the main door." When Matt came over the next day I
explained to him how to put up the Mezuzas, and he gladly listened,
leaving our Chabad Home on a mission.

A few weeks later Matt called. "Rabbi, you're not going to believe it.
For years my mom was practically deaf in one ear and she suddenly
started to get her hearing back! The doctors were astonished; they said
that they had no medical explanation for it. Rabbi, I have no doubt that
my mom got her hearing back because of the Mezuza. Thank you so much for
what you've done."

"Not me, G-d!" I said. "But I am so glad that you told me this."

A little later Matt called back. "My mom asked if you could get her a
Mezuza for her bedroom."

From Chanuka stamps to Tefilin and charity, to Mezuzas and honoring his
mother, Matt was a true and concerned Jew who not only believed, but
also practiced what he believed. He was a man with a big heart and an
open mind.

A few weeks later, which happened to be almost a year after Matt and I
first met, he called. "Rabbi, we need to talk." After asking what the
matter was, all he could say was that we had to talk. When I told him I
would come over, he said not to bother. A couple of days later, his
sister called, "Matt is in a coma." Over the next few weeks, we visited
Matt to pray at his bedside and performed acts of kindness in his merit.
After being hospitalized for only a few weeks, Matt passed away from
pneumonia. My wife and I were shocked; we had only just started to get
to know Matt. It was clear G-d had other plans for him.

At the funeral, it seemed as though the entire Italian mob was present.
I soon learned that these guys were Matt's friends. I shared with them
the story you have just read, and everyone was very moved. People were
shocked to hear a side of Matt they had never known, including his
mother and sister.

After the funeral, I started to get calls from family members wishing to
make donations in Matt's memory, and I had an epiphany. Matt's story was
all about good deeds, but the Mezuza was at the epicenter of it all. I
suggested to a family member that we make a fund for Matt - A Mezuza
fund - and that perhaps the family could put together $1,800 to create
it in his memory.

The relative explained that such an amount would be a stretch, but she
would get her family on board in contributing. Over the next few days, a
few checks came in totaling $500. That was very nice, but it was not the
$1,800 I had "epiphanied."

Two weeks later, our doorbell rang. When I got to the door no one was
there, but I saw an envelope in the mailbox. At first I noticed the
address was wrong, and it had been reposted three times. Being that it
was a Sunday, I knew the mailman hadn't dropped it off. I opened the
envelope and was shocked and elated to find an $1,800 check made out to
Chabad of the Gardens, Forest Hills from Matt's sister.

I picked up the phone to tell her how glad I was that we would be able
to perpetuate Matt's memory in such a special way. When I began to thank
her for the money for the fund, she asked, "Which fund?" I said, "The
Matt Colwes Mezuza Fund that we spoke about!" Confused, she replied that
she did not know what I was talking about. I told her that I had
discussed the fund with her cousin. She explained that she had not heard
about the fund: "I just knew that Matt was enthusiastic about you and
Chabad and I wanted to contribute and say 'thank you.' "

The previous night, my wife and I had had a serious conversation about
the general direction of our work. I had pitched the idea of the Matt
Colwes Mezuza Fund explaining how the Mezuza is not only such an easy
mitzva, it is also such a great way to meet people and one of the Mitzva
Campaigns of the Rebbe, so why not start there? And now we had the
resources to establish the Fund and it had arrived at just the right
moment!

The Matt Colwes Mezuza Fund is now the Matt Colwes Mezuza and Tefilin
Fund and is stronger than ever. The fund has provided hundreds of
Mezuzas and Tefilin to dozens of people in our neighborhood and to
others throughout the New York area.

All of this because of the Chanuka Stamp - a piece of paper worth less
that 40 cents at the time and less than a square inch in diameter!

   This article is dedicated to Moshe Duvid Ben Devorah (Matt) obm.

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                              Rededication

The Young Israel of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn,  recently celebrated three
milestones: the beautiful renovation of the synagogue, the rededication
of the community after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, and the
completion of a new Torah Scroll. Rabbi Efraim and Chani Zaltzman, rabbi
and rebbetzin of the Young Israel, are also the Directors of Chabad of
Kingsborough.

This past week marked the grand opening of the Chabad Jewish Center in
Hillsboro, Oregon, led by Rabbi Menachem and Chaya Rivkin.

                               Celebrate!


There are still plenty more nights to join the celebrations at the
World's Largest Chanuka Menora at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street in New
York City (or your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center).

    *) Friday, Nov. 29, lighting at 3:45 p.m.

    *) Sat. night, Nov. 30, menora lighting at 8:30 p.m.

    *) Sunday, Dec. 1 - Wed., Dec. 4, menora lighting at 5:30 p.m.

On Sunday there will be live music, free hot latkes and chocolate
Chanuka gelt. For more info call the LYO at (718) 778-6000.

*********************************************************************
                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                           Freely translated

                         Chanukah, 5724 [1963]
                       To the Participants in the
                 20th Annual Testimonial Dinner of the
                     Beth Rivkah Schools for Girls

Greeting and Blessing:

This year's Annual Dinner, coming just a few days after Chanukah, will
surely find all the participants amply imbued with the spirit of the
Festival of Lights. The Beth Rivkah Dinner offers an excellent
opportunity to translate this inspiration into action.

The message of the Chanukah Lights contains three basic points which are
applicable - in an immediate and practical way - to the crucial problems
of our day:

The Chanukah Lights (symbolizing the light of the Torah and Mitzvoth
[commandments]) have to be kindled after dark. This indicates that one
should not be discouraged by the prevailing "darkness" outside, for even
a little light of Torah and Mitzvoth can dispel a lot of darkness.

The Chanukah Lights are required to be kindled in such a way that their
light should be seen outside. This indicates that it is not enough to
illuminate one's own home with the light and warmth of Torah-true
Yiddishkeit [Judaism], but that it is necessary to spread it also -
outside, in the neighborhood and in the community at large.

The Chanukah Lights are kindled in a growing number each night of
Chanukah, teaching us to make a steadily growing effort to spread the
light of the Torah and Mitzvoth, and that these efforts contain in
themselves the assurance of ever-growing success.

Our Sages of the Talmud declare that the Mitzvah of the Chanukah Lights
must be shared by the women no less than by the men, because women also
contributed to the miraculous deliverance "in those days at this
season." The Jewish women are particularly credited with the
self-sacrificing determination to safeguard the sanctity of the Jewish
home and the chastity of Jewish womanhood.

Nowadays, more than ever before, Jewish girls must be educated and
trained to carry on their historic role in the preservation of the
Jewish way of life and the preservation of our people. It is precisely
for this purpose that the Beth Rivkah Schools for Girls were founded by
my saintly father-in-law twenty years ago. I hope and pray that everyone
will realize the personal responsibility and privilege to support the
Beth Rivkah Schools in a growing measure, all the more so as such
support is also a channel to receive G-d's blessings with increasing
abundance, in all one's needs, materially and spiritually.

With the blessing of utmost success,

                                *  *  *

                      Eve of Chanukah, 5732 [1971]


Greeting and Blessing:

This year's Annual Dinner significantly takes place on the last night of
Chanukah, when all the eight Chanukah lights are kindled.

One of the fundamental teachings of Chanukah in general, and of the
eight day of Chanukah ("Zos Chanukah") in particular, is that all things
of "light", as described by the words "Ner Mitzvo, v'Torah Or - A Mitzvo
(commandment) is a lamp, and Torah is light," should be constantly on
the increase. Even when it appears - and it may actually be true - that
everything possible to brighten the daily life has been done, it is
still necessary to do more the next day. This is what we learn from the
Mitzvo of Ner Chanukah. For, although upon lighting one candle on the
first night of Chanukah, one has fully complied with the Mitzvo of Ner
(lights) Chanukah, it is nevertheless necessary to kindle two candles
the following night, and so on, adding one candle each succeeding night.

Moreover, having fully complied with the Mitzvo of the Chanukah lights
for seven consecutive days, thus including each of the seven days of the
week, each day having its own particular significance - there must not
be any slackening of the good work. On the contrary, it is yet necessary
to add one more candle on the eighth night of Chanukah.

It is well known that the Yom Tov Chanukah is connected with the
dedication ("Chanukah") of the Holy Temple, as we say in the special
Chanukah prayer: "... and then Your children came to the oracle of Your
House... and kindled lights... and instituted these eight days of
Chanukah" etc.

We have already had occasion to emphasize that each and every Jewish
home must serve as a "sanctuary," a "home" for the Divine Presence, a
bright home, illuminated with the light of the Torah and Mitzvoth.

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                               WHO'S WHO
*********************************************************************
Ravina ben Rav Huna was the head of the Yeshiva Academy in Sura,
Babylonia, one of the two main centers of Jewish scholarship outside of
Israel from the times of the Amoraim through the Geonim. Ravina was the
co-editor, together with his teacher Rav Ashi,  of the Babylonian
Talmud. Ravina's father died when he was quite young and he was educated
by his mother. Ravina's passing on  13 Kislev, 475 ce marks the end of
the Talmudic period and the closing of the compilation of the Talmud.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
*********************************************************************
We have already kindled the first lights of Chanuka. The literal meaning
of Chanuka is "inauguration" or "dedication." Chanuka celebrates the
purification and rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, after its
defilement by the Greeks.

Whenever we celebrate a Jewish holiday, the same spiritual forces that
came into play thousands of years ago are reenacted, as we say in our
prayers, "In those days and in our times." During Chanuka, we are imbued
with an extra strength to renew and rededicate the spiritual "Holy
Temple" that exists within each of us. Today, the enemy is the Evil
Inclination and the difficulties of the exile, which threaten to "defile
the oil" and "cause us to forget Your Torah." On Chanuka, our eternal
bond with G-d is reinforced and fortified.

"Chinuch," which is also translated as "education," means becoming
accustomed to something new. Whenever we embark on a new course, we need
extra strength and incentive to succeed. For example, it is a Jewish
custom that when a Jewish boy is brought to "cheder" for the first time,
we throw candies at him and tell him they are from the angel Michael.
The candies make the child happy, and instill in him the desire to
learn. After the Holy Temple was defiled, an extra measure of holiness
was required. The self-sacrifice of the Jewish people for the
sanctification of G-d's Name provided this extra spiritual power that
allowed the Temple to be rededicated and renewed.

The miracle of Chanuka involved light, which is symbolic of an
intensification and increase in Torah and mitzvot, as it states, "For a
candle is a mitzva, and the Torah is light." On each day of Chanuka we
light an additional candle, increasing the illumination in the world.
Indeed, this is a Jew's mission each day: to successfully utilize the
strength we derive from Chanuka to rededicate ourselves to Torah and
mitzvot, in an ever-increasing manner.

May the lights of Chanuka culminate in the light of the era of Moshiach,
when "the night will shine like the day; darkness will be as the light."

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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And behold, seven other cows...I never saw any like these (Gen. 41:19)

"A person is only shown the innermost thoughts of his heart," our Sages
explain. Our nighttime dreams are a reflection of the thoughts we have
during waking hours. Pharaoh was therefore surprised by his dream, for
he had never seen, in real life, cows with such an emaciated appearance.

                                         (Reb Yitzchak of Volozhin)

                                *  *  *


And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had
eaten them (Gen. 41:21)

Evil exists in the world only by virtue of the small spark of G-dliness
hidden deep within. "It could not be known that they had eaten them" -
this spark is so deeply embedded that it is impossible, on the surface,
to discern it at all.

                                                       (Sefat Emet)

                                *  *  *


Suddenly, seven fat, handsome cows emerged from the Nile... Then, just
as suddenly, seven other cows emerged, very badly formed and emaciated.
(Gen. 41:18-19)

Pharoah's dream, in which he dreamt of two opposites, is like the exile.
In exile we are faced with opposites all the time. One minute we pursue
eternal, spiritual goals and the next minute we want things that are
mundane and transitory. When the Redemption comes we will no longer feel
this dichotomy. We will see how the purpose of everything in the world
is purely for holiness and G-dliness.

                                            (The Lubavitcher Rebbe)

                                *  *  *


Chanuka - The superiority of the "shamash"

The "shamash" candle, the one which is used to light all the others, is
not part of the mitzva itself. Yet it is precisely this candle which is
placed, by Jewish custom, above all the others in a position of honor.
We learn from this that a person who lights the "candle" of another Jew,
who shares his enthusiasm and love of Judaism with another until he,
too, is touched and "ignited," elevates his own spirituality as well.

                                                   (Likutei Sichot)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
*********************************************************************
The followers of Rabbi Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezritch, awaited his
entrance into the synagogue for the lighting of the Chanuka menora on
the first night of Chanuka. For the past few years, Reb Zushe, one of
the Maggid's greatest disciples, had been honored with lighting the
shamash candle. Reb Zushe would then hand it to the Maggid who lit his
menora from it. But Reb Zushe was nowhere to be seen and the chasidim
wondered if his absence was the reason the Maggid had not yet lit the
menora.

Minutes, then hours ticked by, as the chasidim waited for their Rebbe to
emerge. Finally, at about midnight, the Maggid emerged from his room and
walked towards the menora. As if to himself, the Maggid said quietly,
"Reb Zushe will not be with us tonight. We will light the menora now."

The Maggid honored another of his chasidim with the privilege of
kindling the shamash for him, the blessings were chanted and the one,
solitary wick was lit. Then all of the holy assemblage joined together
in singing the traditional Chanuka hymns.

The next morning, just as the Maggid and his chasidim were finishing the
services, Reb Zushe walked in. Weary from traveling, Reb Zushe shuffled
over to his customary place and dropped down on the bench. His friends
came over and gave him a hearty welcome. One of them reported, "The
Rebbe waited a long time for you last night. What happened?"

"After we light the Chanuka menora tonight," promised Reb Zushe, "and
with the Rebbe's permission, I will tell you what happened."

All of the chasidim gathered around the Maggid's menora on the second
night of Chanuka. After the Maggid lit the menora they eagerly listened
to Reb Zushe's story:

"As you all know, immediately after the High Holidays, it is my custom
to travel throughout the small villages and hamlets near Mezritch. I go
from town to town, speaking with the adults and teaching the children
about the wonders of our heritage. I also speak to them about how G-d
loves each and every single Jew and that they are all important to Him.
I tell them about our Rebbe and explain some of the Rebbe's teachings.

"Each year, I plan my schedule so that I can return to Mezritch in time
for Chanuka. Yesterday, I was on my way back to Mezritch when a terrible
snowstorm started. I pushed on through the storm, though many times I
felt I could not continue. Knowing that I would soon be back in Mezritch
near the Rebbe was what kept me going.

"The storm worsened and I soon realized that I would have to stop and
rest a bit before continuing, if I wanted to make it to Mezritch at all.
And so, I stopped at the home of Yankel in a village not too far from
Mezritch. By this time it was already quite late in the afternoon. I
pounded and pounded on the door until finally, someone called out, 'Who
is it?'

"'It is I, Reb Zushe,' I said loudly.

"Yankel's wife opened the door. She looked absolutely terrified as she
bid me inside. I noticed that the children, too, looked frightened.

"The poor woman burst out, 'Yankel left the house early this morning to
gather firewood. He promised he would come back early, for even then he
saw we were in for a terrible storm. It is late already and still he has
not returned,' she wailed.

"For a split second I hesitated. If I went into the forest now, who knew
if I would come out alive? But I knew I had no choice. I put on my coat
and scarf once again and set out toward the forest.

"I passed a few rows of trees when I saw the upright form of a man
covered with snow. Only his face was visible in that white blur. I saw
right away that it was Yankel, and I thought for sure that he had frozen
to death. But when I came very close, I noticed to my surprise, that he
was still breathing. I brushed Yankel off and tried to warm him up.

"Somehow I managed to drag and carry Yankel back to his house where his
wife and children greeted us with cries of joy. With my last ounce of
strength I deposited Yankel on the bench near the stove and fell to the
floor myself. Miraculously, Yankel's wife was able to "thaw" him out.
She brought us a bottle of strong mashke which we drank eagerly to warm
our insides. At about midnight we felt sufficiently strong enough to
stand up and light the Chanuka menora. As we said the prayer, 'who made
miracles for our ancestors, in those days at this time," we knew without
a doubt that G-d had made a miracle for us now, too.

"As soon as the sun rose in the morning I set out for Mezritch and
arrived when you saw me this morning."

Reb Zushe finished his story. The Maggid looked deeply into Reb Zushe's
face. "Know, Zushe, that in Heaven they waited - as it were - to light
the Divine Chanuka menora until you lit the menora together with Yankel.
In the merit of your saving a Jewish soul from death, the Heavens
awaited you."

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
*********************************************************************
Chanuka was founded on the miracle of the oil, and oil is cited in the
verse in Psalms, "I have found David, My servant; with My sanctified oil
I have anointed him." David's descendent, Moshiach is called thus in
reference to "ha'm'shicha b'shemen - the anointment with oil." From
Moshiach will come the complete revelation of the oil of Torah (the
secret secrets of Torah), for he will teach "the secret of the reasons
[underlying the commandments]and its hidden mysteries" (Rashi). The
concept of redemption is especially preeminent on Shabbat Chanuka, for
Shabbat is connected with redemption - as underscored in the "Song of
the Day" for Shabbat: "A Psalm, a song for the Future Era, for a day
that is entirely Shabbat (rest) and tranquility for all eternity."

                            (The Rebbe, Shabbat Mikeitz, 5752-1991)

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                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1298 - Miketz 5774
*********************************************************************