Weekly Letter: Mehadrin Min Hamehadrin
The Rebbe’s letter underlines timely Chanukah lessons for our daily performance of mitzvos – namely, performing all mitzvos in a most perfect manner – mehadrin min hamehadrin – not being satisfied with our perfect performance of today.
Also – that no matter how dark it is in the outside world – and never has it been darker than in our time – Jews are not disheartened and, on the contrary, we strengthen and increase our Torah and mitzvos, which will bring more light and will totally dispel the darkness. (the Rebbe was saying these words about 50 years ago – how much more pertinent are they today!)
By the Grace of G-d
Kislev, 5741
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Greeting and Blessing:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence. May G-d grant the fulfillment of your heart’s desires for good in all matter about which you wrote. Especially as we have now entered the bright month of Kislev, highlighted by Chanukah, the Festival of Lights.
As has been pointed out, the kindling of the Chanukah Lights, which is the first of the special mitzvos connected with Chanukah, is unique in the way it is performed, namely, in that a light is added each night of Chanukah. Although when one has kindled two Chanukah Lights on the second night, the mitzvah was performed mehadrin-min-hamehadrin (par excellence), yet the following night the number of Chanukah Lights is increased to three, and the next night – to four, and so on.
Thus, the mitzvah of Ner Chanukah is especially significant in its message in regard to all matters of Ner Mitzvoh v’Torah Or.
That even though a Jew has attained excellence in the performance of the daily mitzvos, one must not stop at that; for as a Jew grows older and wiser each day, he or she is expected to do even better than the day before. And of course, there is always room for advancement in all matters of goodness and holiness, Torah and mitzvos, which are infinite in their scope and depth, being connected with the Ein Sof (the Infinite).
There is a further significance in that the mtzvah of Chanukah requires that the lights should be displayed also for the “outside.” The meaning of this, among other things, is to show that no matter how dark it is in the outside world – and never has it been darker than in our times – Jews are not disheartened. On the contrary, by strengthening our adherence to the way of the Torah and mitzvos, both at home and outside and also spreading the eternal values of the Torah in terms of morality and justice which the Torah makes it incumbent upon all humanity (the so-called Seven Mitzvos given to the children of Noah, i.e. all mankind), Jews can confidently look forward to the time when the darkness fo our golus and the darkness of all the world will soon be totally dispelled, with the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, whose coming we are awaiting every day.
Wishing you and yours a bright and inspiring Chanukah and to carry the light and inspiration of Chanukah into all the days ahead.
With blessing,
