Miracles Elevating the Soul
Hanukkah · Miracles · Nature · Praise · Jewish Spirituality
קבעום ועשאום י"ט בהלל והודאה.
“They established them and made them festival days through praise and thanksgiving.”
The Sefat Emet begins by explaining that the sanctity of these days comes specifically from acts of praise and gratitude.
כתבנו במ"א כי ע"י הלל והודאה עשאו הימים טובים הללו.
“We have written elsewhere that through praise and thanksgiving these days became festivals.”
The holiness of the days is not intrinsic; it is generated by Israel’s response of praising God.
וביאור הענין.
“And the explanation of the matter.”
He introduces the deeper principle at work behind this idea.
דכתיב נתת ליראיך נס להתנוסס מפני קושט כו'.
“As it is written: ‘You have given those who fear You a banner to be lifted up because of truth.’”
This verse serves as the foundation for his explanation of miracles and spiritual elevation.
פי' הקב"ה עושה נסים לבנ"י כדי להגביה אותם להוציאם מהטבע.
“Meaning: God performs miracles for Israel in order to raise them up and remove them from the bounds of nature.”
Miracles are meant to elevate Israel beyond ordinary natural existence.
וצריך להיות שע"י הנס שהקב"ה משנה הטבע בעבורינו.
“And it should be that through the miracle, by which God alters nature for us…”
The divine initiative is a call for human inner transformation.
כן צריך האדם לעורר נפשו לצאת מהטבע.
“So too must a person stir his soul to depart from nature.”
Human beings must respond by transcending their habitual limitations.
וזהו להתנוסס.
“And this is ‘to be lifted up.’”
Lifted up means rising beyond natural constraints through spiritual awakening.
ואז כשנעשה כן בכלל ישראל אז נשאר מזה הנס לדורות שיש נס במקרה ויש נס קבוע השייך לנפשות ישראל.
“And when this is done by the collective of Israel, then the miracle remains for generations; for there is a temporary miracle and a fixed miracle that belongs to the souls of Israel.”
When Israel responds properly, the miracle becomes an enduring spiritual force, not merely a historical event.
וזה הסימן ע"י שנתרומם נפשות בני ישראל למסור נפשם בעבור האמת.
“And this is the sign—when the souls of Israel are elevated to the point of giving themselves over for the sake of truth.”
Their self‑sacrifice reveals that the miracle has taken root within them.
וזהו להתנוסס מפני קושט.
“And this is ‘to be lifted up because of truth.’”
Their devotion to truth is what lifts them beyond nature.
אז הוא סלה שנשאר הנם קבוע לעולם.
“Then it is ‘forever,’ for the miracle remains established eternally.”
Such spiritually anchored miracles persist throughout all generations.
עוד מפני קושט שזה תכשיט וקישוט בנ"י בהראותם כי הם מוכנים אל הנסים.
“Furthermore, ‘because of truth’ is an ornament and adornment of Israel, in that they show themselves ready for miracles.”
Their orientation toward truth beautifies them and prepares them to receive miracles.
באשר הם נמשכין אחר הנס לצאת מן הטבע.
“Since they are drawn after the miracle to depart from nature.”
They willingly follow the divine call to transcend nature.
כענין משכני אחריך נרוצה.
“As in the verse: ‘Draw me after You—let us run.’”
Israel hastens to follow God when He draws them upward.
וזהו קבעום בהלל והודאה כנ"ל.
“And this is why they established them through praise and thanksgiving, as above.”
Praise and gratitude express Israel’s ascent beyond nature and solidify the enduring miracle.
The Sefat Emet teaches that miracles elevate Israel above nature, and when Israel responds by awakening spiritually, the miracle becomes eternal. Praise and thanksgiving are the human acts that anchor and preserve this transcendence for all generations.