Oh Chanukah...Oh Chanukah

On the 3rd night of Chanukah, Derech Etz Chaim had their annual Chanukah Mesibah. We lit the oil menorah in the beis midrash. The menorah was kind enough to pose with shana bet student Moshe Steibel



Next we were treated with potato latkes (apple sauce and sour cream), lasagna, salatim and vegetable quiche, while we waited for the rebbanim to show up with their families. R' Gittleman gives pointers to Moshe Schaffer and Mordechai Birnbaum on how to pick the perfect latkah. (Look how carefully Rav Gittleman is m'ayain the latkes -- like he would a Tosfot -- to select the right one.) Meir Hauser takes a break from waiting on line to pose for the picture



Next, Rav Horowitz inspired us with some words about Chanukah. He pointed out that the root of Chanukah is Chinuch. Just as the re-dedication of the Beis HaMikdash on Chanukah was done in the most mehadrin min ha'mihadrin way, without cutting corners with thinner wicks or tumah hutra b'tzibur; so too, our dedication towards Torah learning in our Beis Midrash must also be in a pristine environment and with a pure attitude.



Then came the entertainment portion of the night's events with Yehudah Katz making his second appearance at a Derech Etz Chaim event (See previous blog entry for Zman Simchateinu). After we danced, sang, rocked and rolled for a little while, we turned the lights low and were treated to a kumzitz of stories, d'vrei torah and soft music.



Of course there were sufganiot -- like you had to ask!