As we light the Chanuka candles we commemorate the Jewish victory over the Greeks and the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days. The miracle of Chanuka occurred in the holiest place on earth: in the Holy Land, in Jerusalem, in the Holy Temple where G-d's Presence was revealed.
The miracle of the oil involved the menora, which in the times of the Temple was lit specifically by a kohen, a priest. Nowadays, however, the mitzva of lighting the menora is no longer expressly connected to the Temple, and everyone, even a small child, may do so. We light the menora in our homes, facing outward so that its light can illuminate our surroundings.
G-d has given us a truly an amazing capability. Everyone, not only a kohen, can transform his home into a Holy Temple by lighting a Chanuka menora! By kindling the menora's lamps, we suffuse our surroundings in exile with holiness and purity. Furthermore, the menora's light accompanies us throughout the year, until the following Chanuka, when we can observe the mitzva anew.
We thank G-d for enabling us to turn our own private homes into a Holy Temple. And when we transform our home into a Temple, G-d does everything - even performs miracles, if necessary - in order to enable us to continue bringing light into our personal life and to the world at large.
Happy Chanuka!
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