Tuesday Kislev 29, Fifth Day of Chanuka, 5703
Torah Lessons (5703)	Chumash: Mikeitz, Shlishi with Rashi. Tehillim: 140-150. Tanya: Ch. 4. In addition (p. 13)...(that he violates). (p. 13).

The sins of Israel in the time of the Greeks were: Fraternizing with the Greeks, studying their culture, profaning Shabbat and Holy Days, eating Treifa and neglecting Jewish Tahara. [1] The punishment-tribulation was the spiritual destruction [2] of the Sanctuary, death, and slavery in exile. Through teshuva [3] and Mesirat Nefesh, [4] that great, miraculous Divine salvation - the miracle of Chanuka - came about.

   

Notes:

1. (Back to text) Purity. The term "family purity" (for Taharat Hamishpacha) describes Torah laws concerning marriage, particularly Mikva, and all observances related to family sanctity. See Sh'vat 21; Nissan 10.

2. (Back to text) The defilement of the Sanctuary, its altar, and the famous cruses of oil. The physical destruction centuries later was by the Romans.

3. (Back to text) "Return," or "repentance," a frequent theme in Torah and Chassidus. See for example Tishrei 3 to 8.

4. (Back to text) Total devotion, to the point of martyrdom.