And that’s the most amazing thing to realize,” Abba said as we turned the corner. I looked at all the menorahs shining in the windows. There were probably 50 on this block. It was so beautiful to see.
Abba was explaining, “The miracle of the oil lasting 8 days and nights was really extra.”
“Extra?” I asked, “What do you mean, Abba?”
“You see,” he explained, “Saving us from the Yevanim, that was the miracle we needed. That’s what Hashem did to save us Yidden. But the miracle of the oil was extra. The Jews could have used regular oil if there was no shemen zayis zach, but Hashem made a miracle, and the oil lasted, and that showed us how much Hashem loves the Yidden.”
“Isn’t that amazing? Hashem did an extra miracle just because he loves us.”
“Wow! Abba, it’s like when you come home with treats on a regular day just because you love me and want me to know how special I am to you. Right?”
“Exactly!” Abba replied and smiled.
I stared out the window. It was so dark outside on this cold December night, but inside all the Jewish homes I saw candles burning brightly, lighting up the night. I remembered what my Rebbi had taught me in yeshiva: A mitzvah, he said, is compared to a candle. Just as a candle adds light to the world, so does every mitzvah we do.
As we drove, I imagined little Mitzvah Men running around, lit up by the glow of the mitzvah they had done. The thought made me smile.
Chanukah is my favorite time of the year. I love lighting the menorah, eating latkes and doughnuts and, of course, I love Chanukah presents. I had gotten so many exciting toys this year, and thinking about my imaginary Mitzvah Men and candles lighting up the world like mitzvos gave me an idea.
“Abba, I have an idea,” I announced. “This Chanukah, I also want to add light to the world with my mitzvos. Can I share one of my Chanukah gifts with the boy in my class I told you about? The boy who said he doesn’t get any gifts…”
Abba smiled at me. “I love the idea, Dovi!” he said. “That will definitely bring more light to this Chanukah.”
I felt this warm feeling inside, imagining Baruch’s face when I brought him a Chanukah gift of his very own. I thought of how many Mitzvah Men I could see as part of my mitzvah… giving to someone else, Ahavas Yisroel, the simcha I would feel, the simcha he would feel… It was like an entire team of Mitzvah Men. I was getting so excited… and then I thought… what if this could be even bigger! What if hundreds or maybe thousands of kids could be doing mitzvos on Chanukah and adding even more light to the world… This could be HUGE.
“Abba, imagine if every Jewish kid could be a part of this,” I whispered. “Wouldn’t that be the best Chanukah present ever?”
“Dovi” Abba smiled, “That would definitely be the best Chanukah gift.”
The TYH Mitzvah Mission
Dovi’s idea was so good, that we are going to make this happen! Let’s make this a Chanukah filled with the best gifts: the gift of mitzvos & connecting to other Yidden and to Hashem, as we shine so brightly!
How This Work
Each night of Chanukah will have a different Mitzvah Mission for you to do. Let us know you did it — or send us a picture/video! — to be entered into a raffle for awesome TYH prizes! You can submit one entry per person per night of Chanukah. Whatsapp your entry to 3479871387 or email [email protected]
Night 1 Mitzvah Mission
After lighting the menorah, say Perek Kuf of Tehillim – Mizmor L’sodah to thank Hashem for the nissim He does for us.
Night 2 Mitzvah Mission
Call someone who can use a ‘hello’ and wish them ‘Happy Chanukah.’ It can be a grandparent, a neighbor, or a friend who moved away. Show them that you are thinking of them.
Night 3 Mitzvah Mission
Put some extra tzedakah into a pushke. Every little bit of giving is a mitzvah.
Night 4 Mitzvah Mission
When you are eating a Chanukah treat (or any food), make the bracha out loud, and before making the bracha, prepare someone to say ‘Amen.’
Night 5 Mitzvah Mission
Write a thank you note to someone, showing hakaras hatov for something they have done for you. Some ideas can be: thanking the bus driver who takes you home, a crossing guard on the way to school, a parent for the things they do, or the secretary at your school… There are so many people who help us every day.
Night 6 Mitzvah Mission
Learn something extra this Shabbos. Maybe read a special d’var Torah or learn something in Chumash or Mishnayos or read a parshah book. Learning Torah is a mitzvah and brings us closer to Hashem.
Night 7 Mitzvah Mission
Do something helpful for the people in your family. Offer to bring things to the table for Melavah Malka, help watch some younger kids, or help clean up the mess after Shabbos. Every family needs something different, so think of something that will help your family.
Night 8 Mitzvah Mission
It’s the last time we are going to light the menorah this year. Bring some extra simcha to the night!
Invite your family to join the Mitzvah Mission by singing the brachos with joy and dancing to Al Hanissim.
Remember that just as Hashem made an extra miracle in the time of Chanukah, just because He loves us. Hashem loves us so much and does things for us every moment, and that’s a reason to always be b’simcha.
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 62 Chanukah.
