The Night of Zos Chanukah 'B'tzeil HaKodesh' with the Satmar Rebbe shlit"a

The Rebbe davened Maariv at around 6:00. Before Maariv, the bochur Lipa, son of R' Yoel Goldberger shlit"a, lit the menorah, and after Maariv the entire assembly went over to receive a holy blessing in honor of Zos Chanukah.

At around 9:30 the Rebbe shlit"a entered the Large Beis Medrash for the lighting of the Chanukah candles, in the presence of thousands upon thousands of chassidim. The Rebbe poured in the oil and recited the blessings of the lighting with holy fire.

Afterward the Rebbe recited the zemiros, and inspiring nigunim were sung, and the choir sang the piyutim as is customary. At the end R' Shlomo Hersh Eckstein sang Mizmor Shir Chanukas as is customary, after which the Rebbe distributed coins to the children of the choir.

The Rebbe shlit"a went up to the holy tish, and the singing of inspiring nigunim continued for a longer time, and the Rebbe shlit"a delivered the first holy discourse, words of derush and pilpul on the sugya in Maseches Shabbos on "kavsa zakuk lah."

Afterward the uplifting gathering continued with song and music, with several inspiring nigunim, as the Rebbe shlit"a delivered four more holy discourses, with lengthier words of aggadah and chassidus.
The second holy discourse was on the verse "Vetavoach tevach vehachein," explaining that the eight days of Chanukah correspond to the eight days until a bris milah. When the covenant is guarded, it brings abundant livelihood and faith in Hashem. On Zos Chanukah we read the offering of the prince of the tribe of Menashe, and Menashe has the numerical value of "parnassah" (livelihood), which is an allusion to the festive meals held on Chanukah. The gathering continued with nigunim of inspiration and faith.

The third holy discourse offered a reason why it is called Zos Chanukah. When Aharon HaKohen lit the menorah, his task was "El mul penei hamenorah yairu shivas haneiros" (the seven lamps shall illuminate toward the front of the menorah). Opposite the menorah stood the table, and Aharon HaKohen brought down livelihood for all of Klal Yisroel as he lit the menorah. From the menorah there is proof that Hashem must first bestow material blessings, and is obligated to bestow livelihood and health upon Klal Yisroel. The gathering continued with nigunim of inspiration.

The fourth holy discourse offered a reason why it is called Zos Chanukah. When the princes dedicated the Mishkan, they davened not only for the present, but that the blessings should continue "after it was anointed." Chanukah is the time when one must daven to be upright, and one must plead for himself, his children and his grandchildren, and so we will merit "lo yamushu mipicha" (they shall not depart from your mouth) and so on, "from now and forever." The gathering continued with the nigunim "Vihi Zarei" and "Vehair Eineinu" and others, while the Rebbe wept at length.

The fifth holy discourse offered a reason why it is called Zos Chanukah. Chanukah is from the word chinuch, since Chanukah is an education and a preparation for the coming of Moshiach. Rabbeinu Gershom is called "Meor HaGolah" (Light of the Exile) because of his two decrees: that one may not divorce a woman against her will, and that one may not marry two wives. From the miracle of Chanukah we see that Hashem upholds all the decrees of Chazal. Since the impurity of the oil was only a rabbinic matter, Hashem cannot send away Klal Yisroel and also cannot take another nation, and He will soon redeem Klal Yisroel from exile. The Rebbe also bestowed abundant blessings upon the entire assembly.
The Rebbe then continued, regarding the Kol Mamon, that on these holy days one opens with three matters, and Chanukah is opened with "Kavu shir u'renanim" (they established song and praise). He asked the musicians to begin nigunim of joy, to give thanks and praise.

Nigunim of joy and thanksgiving began, and the Rebbe broke into a festive dance for an extended time, and then continued to encourage the fervent dancing of the thousands of assembled for a long while.

The gathering ended at around 12:15, and the Rebbe went home to his holy residence.

At the Rebbe's holy residence, the singers and those engaged in holy work in our holy courts entered for a gathering, as did the bochurim who lead the nigunim at the weekly holy tish. The Rebbe distributed coins and bestowed his holy blessing.

▫️ Satmara Niyes 🌴 ▫️