Song and Rejoicing • Documentation from the Melaveh Malkah and the Lighting of

On this past Saturday night - Parshat Miketz, the Shabbat of Chanukah, our teacher the Rav shlit"a (may he live long and good days) lit the fourth candle—the Sefirah (Divine attribute) of Netzach (Victory/Eternity)—in his holy residence, and afterwards sat with family members and close associates for the Melaveh Malkah (post-Shabbat meal) feast.

The Rav shlit"a lit the fourth candle at 8:20 PM and sang the Chanukah songs for over half an hour. Afterwards, he sat down with the members of the household, family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren for the fourth meal, the Melaveh Malkah of the Shabbat of Chanukah. The Rav sang all the songs with pleasantness and vitality, and before the song 'Eliyahu HaNavi' (Elijah the Prophet), he delivered a lesson for 22 minutes on Chanukah matters, expanding particularly on the story of the Chanukah miracle and the victory that was beyond all nature. Before you are several quotes from the lesson.

"The Greek kingdom was an empire that ruled the whole world; it was impossible to defeat such an empire. They ruled from India to Italy, they ruled the entire known world at that time. Suddenly, five Jews arrived and subdued the largest empire in the world..." "The greatest revelation is on Chanukah, when the 'wicked were delivered into the hands of the righteous.' For even 'many into the hands of the few' and 'mighty into the hands of the weak'—this we have found in history, it happens sometimes. But 'wicked into the hands of the righteous'? This you don't find! There is no such thing; usually, the wicked one is successful, and the tzaddikim (righteous ones) must always hide, 'hide for a brief moment until the wrath passes' (Isaiah 26:20)."

After the fascinating lesson, the Rav continued with the Melaveh Malkah songs until their conclusion and led the Zimmun (invitation to Grace After Meals) over a cup of wine. At 10:00 PM, the Melaveh Malkah feast ended, and our teacher the Rav shlit"a entered his room.