Parshas Mikeitz (Chanukah) 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- Dec 19, 2025
- 2 min read
ויען ויאמר ... לא בחיל ולא בכח כי אם ברוחי ... (זכרי' ד-ו)
In the vision of Zecharia HaNavi, he describes a beautiful golden menorah with seven branches and multiple olives dripping into each branch. The Navi exclaimed that his vision led him to understand that the success is “not with an army and not with strength ... but only with the spirit of Hashem.” The question is, what does the vision have to do with that understanding?
R’ Dovid Aharon Wishnewitz zt”l (Imrei Daas) explains that Chazal teach us repeatedly that Klal Yisroel is the light unto the nations of the world, and it is our solemn responsibility to uphold that light. Torah Jews know that but so do non-religious Jews, and even those who despise us. Thus, the connection that Zecharia HaNavi made serves as a reminder to all that the survival of Klal Yisroel hinges on our understanding that we must maintain the purity of our nation.
The shemen zayis zach used for the menorah is made through many olives - to which Klal Yisroel is compared to. It does not come about through brute force but rather through a painstakingly delicate process of squeezing olives. Thus, the menorah which represents light is comparable to the light unto the nations of the world - Klal Yisroel - and it is our duty to maintain the purity of the world - not through brute force, but with the spirit of Hashem and through the study and dissemination of His holy Torah!
May we merit to see the holy menorah once again be lit in the Bais HaMikdash speedily and in our days.