Essence of Zot Hanukkah

ב"ה.

“With God’s help.”

An introductory invocation, expressing that the teaching begins under divine assistance.

זאת חנוכה.

“This is Ḥanukkah.”

The Sefat Emet often introduces his Ḥanukkah teachings with this phrase, signaling that the theme will focus on the inner essence of the holiday and its spiritual illumination.

Summary: The passage opens with a traditional invocation followed by a declaration that introduces a teaching on the essence of Ḥanukkah.