Inner Point and Gratitude For תרל”ג 5
(ליל ו) אא”ז מו”ר ז”ל הגיד בשם רבותינו ז”ל.
“My revered grandfather and teacher, of blessed memory, related in the name of our Sages.”
The Sefat Emet introduces a teaching he received through his lineage, anchoring the lesson in rabbinic tradition.
פי’ הגמרא פתילות ושמנים שאין מדליקין בשבת מדליקין בחנוכה אשר אף הנפשות שאין להם עלי’ בשבת יכולין לעלות בחנוכה ונפש נוטריקון נר פתילה שמן.
“The Gemara explains: wicks and oils that may not be used on Shabbat may be used on Chanuka. This hints that even souls that cannot ascend on Shabbat are able to ascend on Chanuka; and the word nefesh is an acronym: ner, ptilah, shemen (lamp, wick, oil).”
The laws of permissible wicks become a metaphor: certain souls, normally unable to elevate themselves, gain access to spiritual ascent through the unique light of Chanuka.
ופותילות הפסולין שאור מסכסכת בהן. נדעך וקופץ כו’.
“And the disqualified wicks are those in which the flame flickers, is extinguished, or jumps.”
Faulty wicks symbolize inner states unable to hold divine illumination steadily.
והיינו שלא יוכל לקבל ההארה תוך עומק לבו כו’.
“Meaning, the person cannot receive the illumination into the depth of his heart.”
The unstable flame reflects an inner blockage preventing divine light from settling within.
והיינו שיש נקודה פנימיות בכל איש ישראל שאין שם מגע נכרי רק שצריך להיות שנקודה זו תתפשט בכל האדם.
“For within every Jew there is an inner point untouched by anything foreign, but this point must spread throughout the entire person.”
This pure inner point exists universally, yet requires cultivation to permeate the whole self.
ועל ידי הלל והודאה יכולין להכניס נקודה זו בכל הנפש.
“Through praise and thanksgiving one can draw this inner point into the entire soul.”
Hallel and gratitude expand the spark so it illuminates the full personality.
והוא עי”ז ששמח האדם בנקודה זו ונותן הודאה להקב”ה על שזכה להיות בכלל ישראל.
“This happens when a person rejoices in this point and gives thanks to God for meriting to be part of Israel.”
Joy in one’s spiritual identity fuels the expansion of the inner point.
עי”ז החשק יכול להרחיב הנקודה.
“Thus desire can broaden this point.”
Longing for closeness to God strengthens and enlarges the inner spark.
והנה הלל והודאה הם ב’ מדריגות שהלל הוא שבח וצריכין להיות מקודם אצל האמת כמ”ש הללו עבדי ה’ שלא להיות משועבד לשום דבר רק להשי”ת.
“Praise and thanksgiving are two levels: Hallel is praise, and one must first be aligned with truth, as it says ‘Praise, servants of God’—to be bound only to God and to nothing else.”
Hallel requires inner freedom and authenticity; only one who serves God alone can truly offer praise.
אבל הודאה יכול להיות לכל איש ישראל.
“But thanksgiving can be offered by every Jew.”
Hodayah is accessible even without full spiritual refinement.
ואף המלוכלך בחטא.
“Even one stained by sin.”
Gratitude is open even to those distant from holiness.
ע”י הודאה ווידוי דברים מתקרב כמ”ש מודים מכלל דפליגי.
“Through gratitude and confession one draws close, as the phrase ‘They give thanks—implying disagreement’ teaches.”
The act of acknowledging truth creates connection, even amid inner conflict.
שאף מי שנפרש מהקדושה יוכל להתקרב ע”י הודאה.
“For even one who has separated from holiness can draw near through thanksgiving.”
Hodayah becomes a pathway back to spiritual intimacy.
וגם הודאה על נס.
“And likewise, giving thanks for a miracle.”
Miracle-related gratitude follows the same principle of re‑connection.
ודאי הוא עי”ז שמבינים שאין ראוים לנס.
“This is certainly because one realizes he is not worthy of the miracle.”
True gratitude emerges from humility.
כי מה שייך הודאה להקב”ה על נס הלא אין הפרש לפניו בין נס לטבע רק על ידי שמבינים שאין זוכין לנס שייך הודאה ועי”ז משיגין אח”כ עומק הנס להלל לפניו כנ”ל.
“For what sense is there in thanking God for a miracle—before Him there is no difference between miracle and nature? Only by understanding that we do not deserve the miracle does thanksgiving apply, and through this we later grasp the depth of the miracle in order to praise Him, as explained above.”
The distinction lies not in God’s perspective but in our humility: recognizing unworthiness opens the door to gratitude, and gratitude leads to higher praise.
Summary: The Sefat Emet teaches that Chanuka’s light elevates even souls normally unable to ascend, by activating the inner pure point through gratitude and praise. Thanksgiving is accessible to all and opens the path to deeper Hallel, revealing the miracle’s true depth.
