B"H

THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH OF KISLEV

      Kislev is the month of Chanukah.
      There is something about a flame. It lights the darkness, but there is more. A flame spreads light without losing its own brightness. From this, we should be able to understand the essence of giving. When we give, nothing is subtracted from us; giving multiplies blessing and does not subtract. The flames lit by the Maccabees in sanctity thousands of years ago still give us courage today. The light of Torah is not only strong but getting stronger, even though we live in a world of dark-ness. How could this be? Only because the Maccabees gave us the courage to live by our Torah despite the fact that the world has continually tried to quench our light.
      On this note, I would like to pass on to you an inspiring thought that is appropriate to this Season.
      Recently I heard Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon recounting a remarkable statement by the Chofetz Chaim. The Chofetz Chaim was discussing the climactic war which would precede the coming of Moshiach. This war, he said, would occur in three stages. The first stage had been the First World War, which had occurred during the Chofetz Chaim's lifetime. The Chofetz Chaim, who died in 1933, predicted the second stage, the Second World War. Then, he said, there would be an interval, following which there would be a Third War. Following the Third War Moshiach would come.
      But the Chofetz Chaim said more. He stated that there would be a fundamental difference between the first two wars and the third war. During the first two wars, both tzaddikim and rashaim, righteous people and sinners, would be vulnerable. No one would be safe from the angel of death.
      But not so in the Third War. In this final war before Moshiach, those who would cling to G-d and His Torah would be safe and would have nothing to fear from the angel of death!
      Only deranged people desire war. We are living, however, in a world filled with deranged people. If you doubt me, just drive on any highway. You will see there people who value neither their own life nor the lives of others. There are people like them at the head of great armies.
      We all feel the darkness and danger around us. We are living in deep Golus, in a world filled with people who do not hesitate to impose their corrupt lifestyles upon others.
      But if we know that clinging to our Torah can save us, then we possess the key to survival, the light that will guide us safely through the darkness. The Chofetz Chaim's words are the light; the Torah is our salvation. If we cling to it, we will soon see a world of light and safety, a world filled with the knowledge of G-d and ruled by His Torah.
       
                                                                                                 Roy S. Neuberger