As we approach this beautiful holiday, I share my light, love and joy with all of you my readers. I share this story from the pain of the holocaust to show how much Hanukkah has meant to the Jewish people
Love Yehuda
A New Level Of Courage
There will be instances when you do something exceptionally courageous. Don't think, "I had courage here, but this really wasn't me. Normally I can't do these type of things."
It is much wiser to think, "This has upgraded the courage level of my brain." You are no longer on the previous level of courage, but on the present level. This is your actual reality.
Chanukah by Rabbi Baruch Lederman
When we light the menorah we instill the light of Yiddishkeit into the hearts of those outside and of those inside, as the following true
story, heard from Yichel and Baila Lederman,
illustrates:
The German Invasion of Poland began on September 1, 1939. Jews fled from the city of Warsaw searching desperately for safe
haven. David and Sarah Abramowitz and their two
small children made their way to a forest trying to stay out of sight of the Nazi invaders. They eventually found an isolated spot to
sleep for the night.
The next morning they were rudely awakened by a polish farmer. "Halt trespassers," said the farmer, rifle in hand, "Do not move or I'll
shoot."
The Abramowitzes were frozen with terror as the farmer approached. The farmer slowly walked closer and closer. "Wait,"
proclaimed the farmer, "You are Abramowitz the teacher
from Warsaw. I once attended a lecture of yours. I see you are running from Hitler. Leave the children with me. They will never make
it."
"I cannot do that. My children are coming with me into the Russian interior."
"Take the boy, but the little girl will never survive. Leave her," insisted the farmer, still pointing his rifle.
"I will leave her," said David, "We will pick her up from you when we return."
"Of course," replied the farmer, "Now hurry and go."
David and Sarah tearfully caressed their daughter, "Be a good girl Chana'le. Tatty and Mommy will return for you when it is safe."
The now three Abramowitzes traveled into Russia where they eventually wound up in Siberia. The harsh freezing cold winters proved
too much for Sarah and her son. After a time
they perished. Only David survived.
By December 1945, the war ended and David finally was able to return to Warsaw to retrieve his daughter and rebuild their shattered
lives. The thought of her was the only thing
that kept him going. As he approached the farm, his mind was flooded with memories of Warsaw - both happy and sad.
He knocked on the door. The farmer answered and he blurted with excitement, "It is me, David Abramowitz. I have come back after
six harrowing years to pick up my daughter
whom you took in your care."
"I don't know what you're talking about," said the farmer.
"What do you mean," shrieked David.
As the two men were arguing, a nine year old girl came to the door. "Father, who is this man," she said to the farmer.
"It is just some crazy man Hilda, don't pay any attention to him, "replied the farmer, "Go away stranger, don't bother us again."
Although she had changed, David clearly recognized 'Hilda' to be his daughter. "I am your father. Surely you remember me and your
mother and brother!" cried David.
"I don't know you at all," she declared. "You are not my father, he is." she said pointing to the farmer, "Listen to him and go away."
David was at his wits end. He knew the farmer was lying, but his beloved daughter was so young that she remembered nothing of her
true past, and believed that the farmer was
her real father. David was about to lose his daughter forever. Losing her again would be too much to bear.
As he was being pushed away he called out to her, "Do you remember Chanukah in our house. Do you remember how I let you
choose a candle and put it in the menorah?"
Something suddenly stirred within her as though David had struck a chord. She stood there churning for a few minutes. She finally
exclaimed, "Yes! Yes! I chose the pretty pink one.
I remember! I remember!" Chana'le ran to David with outstretched arms, "Take me home for Chanukah Tatty. Take me home."
At this point the farmer had no choice but to relent. David held Chana'le tightly. She was truly his special Chanukah miracle.
Dedicated in memory of Shlomo ben Yitzchok by his son Simon.
--
Visit my Blog: http://yehudalave.blogspot.com/
