Chanuka

The Rebbe (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn) asked a question at a Yud Tes Kislev Farbrengen in 5713.  Does time flow continuously or is it a set of points (infinite set of points) - similar I think to the question asked in physics whether light is a set of particles or a wave.  The Rebbe said we can learn the answer to this from the first mishna in Tractate Brachos.  The sons of Rabban Gamliel come back from a wedding and aske their father if they are still allowed to say Shma.  The Rebbe points out that the mishna specifies that they were preoccupied until then with the mitzva of bringing joy to newlyweds - this seems to indicate that if they weren't preoccupied with another mitzva they would not be allowed to say Shma now.  Since the mishna is telling us we have to take prior history into account, this means that time is a continuous flow where the past occurrences are relevant and significant for determining my present decisions.

These two concepts of continuous flow as opposed to discrete events we find by Chanuka.  Chanuka is split up into two miracles.  The miracle of the Jews winning the war and the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days.  The celebration of the oil lasting for eight days, and the lighting of one additional candle each night seems to draw from the concept of the continuity of time that each day is supposed to build upon draw from the previous days.  While the Jewish victory according to Maimonides at least, should be celebrated through increasing in joyous meals/get-togethers (seudat mitzva).  The Rebbe emphasized in our generation this aspect of increasing in joy especially by Chanuka.  Since joy taps into a deeper reservoir of divine revelation than simple acknowledgement and thankfulness.  Therefore, we recognize the big picture relevance of the Chanuka miracle, there is a a particular relevance to the military victory in that it signifies the victorious nature of the Jewish people and our ability to bring down victory even in the lowest levels of physicality.

The attribute of Netzach, victory is essentially connected with our power to reveal the final victory of light over darkness with the imminent arrival of our Righteous Moshiach.