25 Kislev: Olive Oil

OLIVE OIL These days of Chanukah were established as a festival of praise and thanksgiving. (Talmud, Shabbos 21b) The miracle of Chanukah celebrates religious freedom, symbolized by pure oil and candle light. The darkness and oppression of exile cannot destroy our spirit. Instead, like an olive that is crushed, the darkness of exile produces light-giving oil by exposing the G-dly essence that is found in the Torah and in each of our souls. By studying and teaching the Torah’s essence, we create a G-dly light that wards off darkness and religious persecution and prepares the world for Moshiach. Sefer HaSichos 5752, vol. 1, pg. 195; Sichah 19 Kislev, 5744