On Wednesday night, 24 Kislev, Avreichim (Kollel students) from the Shuvu Banim Yeshiva in the Old City came to a shiur at the home of Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a.
Here is a summary of the shiur:
The Rav shlit”a began the shiur discussing the Gemara in Yoma 29 on why a Megilah was not written about Hanukah, saying that the miracles of Hanukah were so great that they are completely beyond description in writing! Later on, he spoke about the burial of Rachel, and likewise discussed the dispute between the Rambam and the Ramban regarding which reason the people of Shechem were liable to death.
Late in the shiur, the Rav shlit”a spoke about the unique qualities of this year, the year 5784, for redemption, as brought in the book “Or L’Meir,” that Ko’ach (power) (28) times Ko’ach = 784 [thus referring to the year 5784], which is “The power [Ko’ach] of His works He declared to His people.”
The Rav spoke of the bravery of the Yemenite Jews who, through self-sacrifice and despite the challenges, did not subdue themselves to the Hellenist culture when they arrived in Israel, and merited to observe the Torah and Mitzvot.
At the conclusion of the shiur, the Rav once again spoke about the greatness of the days of Hanukah, and brought the chidush that “MAI [what is the meaning of] Hanukah?” is “MeAshpot Yarim Evyon (From the trash heaps, He raises the destitute),” that this is the greatness of the days of Hanukah which raise up each person wherever he may be found.
