Maghen Abraham - Thoughts From Mayer Sasson

To light the Chanukah candle - להדליק  נר חנוכה

 להדליק  נר חנוכה – and we have to understand what this means. What did the Holy ARI mean by Nachal?

 Rabenu the Ariz'l says that when a person lights the Chanukah candles he should have intentions for the name Nachal "נחל" – the first letters of the words להדליק  נר חנוכה – and we have to understand what this means. What did the Holy ARI mean by Nachal?

  The holy Baal Shem Tov explained that the purpose of Creation is for a person to totally believe that even when G-d's Presence is very hidden, He is there.

As evidence the Baal Shem Tov brought the words said in the Shirat Hayam (about the Egyptians pursuing the Jews) "אמר אויב ארדוף אשיג אחלק שלל" – "the enemy said I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil", The first letters from these words are the letter Aleph five times to teach us that even when G-d is hidden immensely (when we are pursued and are lives are in danger) we must totally believe that G-d Who is the Aluph – the Champion of the world (alluded to by the letter Aleph)- is there. By right of this faith a person will merit to have the Judgment softened and everything will turn out for the good.

 As the Baal Shem Tov said: If a person knew with total knowledge and faith that in all times when G-d is hidden He is there, no evil would befall him and he would (receive from G-d) love and affection.

 Therefore, our Sages ob'm said: "A person should always be used to saying – Whatever G-d does, He does for the good."

 And that is what is meant in the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy -  "נוצר חסד לאלפים" – Who keeps kindness for thousands- whose first letters are נחל.

G-d maintains kindness for the אלפים – either for the thousands - or for those who always remember the Aluph – Champion of the world (G-d), even when His Presence is hidden and there are great problems – and He brings them salvation.

 SHABBAT SHALOM!!