Revealing Divine Miracles
Miracles · Divine Presence · Hanukkah · Sanctity
פרסומי ניסא הוא דבר גדול.
“Publicizing the miracle is something great.”
The Sefat Emet opens by teaching that the essence of Chanuka is making the divine miracle visible and known.
כי כל הנסים נעשו שיתגלה ושיתפרסם כבודו ית' בעולם כי אנו יודעין שהקב"ה מנהיג ומחדש בכל יום מעשה בראשית.
“For all miracles occur so that the honor of the Blessed One be revealed and publicized in the world, for we know that God conducts and renews the work of Creation every day.”
Miracles expose what is always true but usually hidden: God’s continuous renewal of existence.
אבל הוא בהסתר תוך הטבע.
“But this is concealed within nature.”
Divine activity is normally disguised inside natural processes.
וכשהקב"ה עושה נס רצונו ית' שיתגלה כבוד מלכותו בעולם.
“And when God performs a miracle, His will is that the glory of His kingship be revealed in the world.”
A miracle is an unveiling of the hidden Divine kingship.
וע"ז אנו מבקשים לשמך תן כבוד על חסדך כו'.
“And for this we ask: ‘To Your Name give honor, for Your kindness…’”
Our prayers seek that God’s kindness become manifest, not concealed.
וחסד ואמת שהקב"ה עושה תמיד יהי' נגלה ולא יהי' נכסה תוך הטבע.
“And the kindness and truth that God constantly performs should be revealed and not hidden within nature.”
The Sefat Emet emphasizes that miracles display the ongoing divine kindness normally masked by natural order.
וע"י הנסים נתפרסם כבודו ית'.
“And through miracles His honor is publicized.”
Miracles serve as megaphones of divine presence.
וע"ש זה נק' נס שהוא אות ועדות על השי"ת.
“And for this reason it is called a ‘nes,’ for it is a sign and testimony to God.”
A miracle is a banner signaling the reality of the Divine.
וכשנעשה נס מתחדשין עובדי השי"ת.
“And when a miracle occurs, the servants of God are renewed.”
Miracles spiritually revive those devoted to God.
וע"ש זה נקרא חנוכה שנתחדשו נפשות בנ"י.
“And for this reason it is called Chanuka, for the souls of Israel were renewed.”
The holiday marks a collective spiritual re‑inauguration.
כי בנ"י צריכין להתדבק בעולם העליון והטבע מסתיר.
“For Israel must cleave to the upper world, but nature conceals it.”
Human spiritual aspiration is hindered by the opacity of the natural world.
וע"י הנס שהוא למעלה מהטבע מתדבקין בנ"י בשורש העליון.
“And through the miracle, which is above nature, Israel cleaves to the supernal root.”
Miracles pierce the veil, enabling renewed connection with the divine source.
גם נראה כי אז נתחנך הבית ממש ע"י הנס.
“It also appears that at that time the House (Temple) was truly re‑dedicated through the miracle.”
The miracle effected a literal re‑consecration of the Temple.
כי כל השראת השכינה במשכן ובית ראשון ושני הי' ע"י נס הורדת אש מה"ש.
“For every indwelling of the Divine Presence in the Mishkan and in the First and Second Temples occurred through the miracle of heavenly fire descending.”
Divine presence was historically marked by miraculous fire.
ובשני ג"כ ויזעקו בקול גדול כמ"ש בפסוק ובדברי חז"ל.
“And in the Second (Temple) as well, they cried out loudly, as stated in Scripture and in the words of the Sages.”
The yearning for divine fire continued into the Second Temple period.
אכן ע"י הרשעים נסתלק הקדושה כמ"ש ובאו בה פרוצים וחללוה.
“However, through the wicked, the holiness departed, as it is written: ‘And lawless ones entered it and defiled it.’”
Foreign defilement drove away the sanctity.
לכן הי' צריך להתחנך מחדש ע"י הנס.
“Therefore it needed to be re‑dedicated anew through the miracle.”
The miracle restored divine presence and rededicated the Temple.
וע"ז אומרים ואח"כ באו בניך כו' ופינו וטהרו כו' שחזר להיות חל עליו שמו ית'.
“And concerning this we say: ‘Then Your children came… they cleared and purified…’ and His Name again rested upon it.”
The liturgy recounts Israel’s role in enabling the return of divine sanctity.
Summary: Miracles reveal the divine normally hidden in nature, renew the souls of Israel, restore attachment to the upper world, and re‑dedicate sacred space. Chanuka celebrates this renewal and the publicization of God’s glory.