Newspapers / The Charlotte Jewish News … / Dec. 1, 1989, edition 1 / Page 20
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Thoughts From The Lubavitchcr Rcbbe Chanukah — The Miracic of Lights Chanukali Sale Attracts Large Crowd By Rabbi Yossi Groner Chanukah recalls the collision of two worlds: the Jewish world of faith, Torah and particular way of life, based on pure monotheism, with its concepts of holiness in the daily life down to the minutest detail — on the one hand — and the Hellenistic culture, with its polytheistic and largely materialistic concepts of life on the other. By force of arms, the Greeks attempted to impose their cul ture on conquered peoples and lands. However, their aim was not to eradicate indigenous cultures, but rather to hellenize and assimilate them. It was not the suppression of Torah that the Greeks aimed at, but at its acceptance as the G-d given word, as G-d’s Torah. Similarly they were not averse to the moral and ethical values contained therein, but they prohibited the Divine chukim — the so-called “supra-rational” precepts, which more than any other distinguish the Jewish way of life and make it specifically Jewish, holy and pure. The Menorah, which was kindled with pure and consecrat ed oil, was the visible symbol of the purity of the Jewish way of life, and its Perpetual Light flashed this message from the Holy Temple to every Jew. The Greeks were resolved to change this, indeed there were Jews — Jewish Hellenists — who felt that a touch of the more “modernistic” and “progressive” Greek culture ought to be ap plied to Jewish faith, religion and Torah. But a handful of Hasmoneans, whose vision had not been blurred, recognized that this touch is a fatal blow that strikes at the inner sanctum of Judaism. Divine providence saw to it * that a cruse of oil, pure and uncontaminated, should be left with which to rekindle the Me norah, and that it should not only hold its own, but should grow and spread and keep the perpetual light burning. The lesson of Chanukah for today is quite obvious; a Jewish person may find his/her attach ment to the identification with G-d through the observance of Torah and Mitzvot, invaded and contaminated by ideas which are aiien to the Jewish way of life, incompatible and inimical to it. But in the inner sanctum of his soul there is always a cruse of oil that remains pure and holy — that spark of G-dliness which is his/her divine soul, which is indestructible and beyond reach of defilement. The Jewish person has but toJcindle it, and that little spark will eventually light up to be a powerful perpetual light. Chanukah reminds us that the greatest danger to the Jewish way of life lies not in the threat of extinguishing its light com pletely, but rather in the tenden cy to defile it by feeding impure or unholy oil to its Menorah. This tendency expresses itself in many ways; in the worship of materialism and material suc cess, in the presentation of certain manmade ideologies and “isms” as the panacea of all human ills, and many more, all of which do not necessarily rule out religious experience, but to produce a pseudo-religiosity, where consecration and commit ment are sacrificed to conve nience and compromise as the guiding principles. Chanukah teaches us that the sanctity and purity of Jewish life must be preserved at all costs. The external and material as pects of daily life should be sanctified by the permeation of Torah and Mitzvot and these pure deeds become bright can dles which illuminate and bright en our life. 930 AM Radio SUNDAYS—9-10 AM Lubavitch Day School and Preschool held their annual open house on Sunday, Novem ber 12 at the Chabad House. The main attraction was a grand Chanukah Sale which featured the latest in new Jewish toys, games and children’s books. Also available were a full array of exciting new audio tapes from groups like “Uncle Moishy and the Mitzvah Men,” Moshe Yess’ “The Marvelous Midos Machine” and “The 36 Jewish Songs.” The latest Jewish videos were on sale, ranging from educational to entertai^ent. The creative Yarmulkas (skull caps) on display caught the attention of many parents who found Disney character Yar- mulkes. Batman, Snoopy, Sports and, of course, Judaica Yarmulkes. The event was part of an awareness program to inform the Jewish community of Char lotte of the Lubavitch school and its excellent educational system which is number one in quality. In addition to shopping for gifts, parents and children were entertained with a special magic show and participated in music and the arts with Peggy Davis, music teacher at Lubavitch School. Delicious kosher beef burgers and hot dog lunches were on sale. Lubavitch Day School and Preschool teachers were on hand to answer questions about the school and also encouraged children to participate in the Chank Wcin expUdns Judaka Upcs to pwents Magiciaii cntcrtaiiiing children. many exciting arts and crafts activities. The over two hundred people who attended the open house were amazed at the high level of sophistication the school presents and were delighted to have the opportunity to taste Jewish education at its best. Due to the success of this year’s Chanukah sale, Lubavitch is planning an even more exten sive sale next November in time for Chanukah 1990. Pcfgjr Davk Day School and Preschool Excel in Quality Education Students and especially par ents at Lubavitch Day School and Preschool continue to sing the praise of the excellent quality education the schools provide to the Charlotte Jewish communi ty. The standard of education is on or beyond the level of the area’s most prestigious private schools. Every class has its own spe cialty, which is enhanced by the talented teachers who staff the school. The preschool is geared to help the student learn at his/ her own level and achieve the desired goal at his/her own pace. Fern Sanderson, morning teacher at the school, has devel oped a unique approach in teaching her students through learning centers in her class room. The centers give pre schoolers an opportunity to discover information on their own. “Discovery provides for self-actualization and ownership over the information,” stated Fern. Centers allow children the ability to see things up close. They need to see things, touch them, move them, share them and make their own. Centers allow for choice, which gives the young student ownership and simulates learning. “The chil dren are doing very well in selecting and completing the activities at the learning cen ters,” said Fern. The preschool welcomes Eliza See QUALITY next page HAPPY CIIANUKAH wv. '' ; ' (/ •' , .AX-. Thom Powell “A Museum of Gifts' 129 Perrin Place (Just off Providence Road) Phone 376-6501 Free Gift Wrap arid City- Wide Deli\^ry The Stoiy Hanukkah. Amy Ehrlich. On Sherman, illustrator. Dial. $14.95. Ages 4 up. Story of a people’s coura geous fight for religkHis freedom told clearly and simply so that even veiy young chiklren can under stand the events. Drama and majesty are captured vividly by Ori Sherman’s brilliant paintings. A great book to add to school or family library. Shop at Black Forest for many other holiday books and gifts. Charlotte’s First in Quality and Educational Toys, Books, Dolls and Tapes. 115 Cherokee Road 332-4838 BCXKS AND TOYS
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Dec. 1, 1989, edition 1
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