What does Hashem Elokecha ask from you, but to fear Hashem Elokecha and to walk in His ways? (Dvorim, 10:13)
A Dvar torah from Reb Motti Rosen z”l, grandson of Harav Shaul the Second Rebbe
Chanukah, 5751
The famous question of the Bais Yosef on Chanukah is why do we celebrate for eight days? If there was enough oil found for one day then the miracle was that it lasted for seven more so why don’t we celebrate for seven?
Chazal ask, “Mai Chanukah?” (What is the Nes of Chanukah?) It continues by explaining that after the defeat of Antiochus, the Maccabees entered the Bais Hamikdash and found everything destroyed and made impure. After searching for a while they found one pach (vial) of oil with the seal of the Kohen Gadol untouched. It was enough for one day, but miraculously lasted for eight. This according to Chazal is the miracle. However, when we say Al Hannisim we find no mention of the pach of oil, only the victory in battle. So which one is the miracle, the victory in battle or the finding of the pach?
We would say the pach. While it may be rare for such a small group to be victorious over such a large army, it can happen. However, it is truly miraculous to find enough oil only for one day and have it last for eight.
So why eight days? The word eight in Hebrew is “Shemoneh”– Shin, Mem, Vov, Nun, Hey. By changing the order of the letters we can read it “Shemen Vov Hey.” What is the significance of Vov Hey?
In the name of Hashem – Yud Kay Vov Kay — the Yud Kay is representative of Nistar — that which is hidden. The Vov Kay is representative of Nigglah — that which is shown.
It was only after the Macabees found the oil that they understood that all of Chanukah was miraculous, including their victory in battle. Until then they did not see their victory in battle as a miracle. When they found the pach and it lasted for eight days, they realized that everything that happened was a true miracle. That is why we celebrate for eight days.