This Shabbat, as Chanukah and Parshat Miketz converge, our hearts are heavy and our calling is clear. From the moment the Maccabees discovered a single cruse of oil in the desecrated Temple, Jewish history hinged not on what was found, but on what was done. They could have preserved the oil as a relic. Instead, they used it and ignited a light that has burned for 2,200 years.

In the shadow of the tragic attack at the Chabad Chanukah celebration in Bondi Beach, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath delivers a sermon that explores a timeless Jewish truth: Judaism does not survive through museums or memory alone, but through lived action. Like Joseph in Miketz, who steps forward from darkness with faith and purpose, we are asked to respond to pain not by retreating, but by lighting, loving, and living more Jewishly than ever before.

Key Takeaways

The miracle of Chanukah was not the oil, it was the choice to use it.

Judaism survives not by being preserved, but by being practiced.

Darkness is real, but it never gets the final word.

Every mitzvah, no matter how small, carries generational power.

In moments of pain and fear, our response is not silence, but light.

Honoring tragedy in Jewish history means responding with deeper Jewish life.

Like Joseph in Miketz, we don’t need to know the ending, we just need to show up with what we have.

Help the families of Sydney Attack: https://www.charidy.com/supportsydney

#BondiBeach #chabad #Judaism #hanukkah #LightOverDarkness #Chanukah #ParshatMiketz #LiveJewish #RespondWithLight #JewishResilience #AmYisraelChai #Rabbi #Sermon

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Got your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.com

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In this morning’s class, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath explored the baffling, almost mythical global obsession with Israel and the Jewish people, a tiny nation that somehow takes up an outsized share of the world’s attention. Drawing on the teachings of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Rabbi YY Jacobson, and Rabbi Manis Friedman, Rabbi Bernath unpacked the spiritual roots behind antisemitism and the world’s fixation on Jews.

We confronted the paradox: being “chosen” doesn’t raise us above others, it humbles us beneath the weight of responsibility. Using the Alter Rebbe’s 1798 letter after his release on Yud Tes Kislev, we learned that true chosenness shrinks the ego while expanding the soul’s mission: to illuminate the world with goodness, moral clarity, unity, and love.

When Jews embrace who we are… Divine ambassadors of light, we trigger the world. But we also transform it.

Key Takeaways

The obsession is ancient and irrational — Jews are less than 0.25% of the world, yet remain humanity’s main character.

Reason alone cannot explain Jewish influence and survival — only our mission as bearers of ethical monotheism can.

Chosen-ness ≠ superiority — it’s a call to responsibility, growth, and humility.

Closeness to G-d shrinks the ego, not inflates it — “Katonti,” like Jacob said: “I am made small by Your kindness.”

Anyone can join the Jewish people — chosenness is a spiritual calling, not a biological club.

The world senses Jewish holiness — sometimes more than Jews do — and reacts intensely, for better or worse.

Our role is universal — to be a moral lighthouse, not a fortress of self-importance.


#Israel #Jewish #Chosen #chosenpeople #chosenness #alterrebbe #yudteskislev #JewishSpirituality #Rebbe #Antisemitism #LightOverDarkness #humility

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Got your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.com

Single? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.

Donate and support Rabbi Bernath’s work http://www.jewishndg.com/donate

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Access Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi

In this heart-opening conversation, Rabbi Bernath shares a powerful true story of a needy bride who felt ashamed to accept financial help, until she discovers that she is a partner, not a burden. Drawing on the Torah’s teaching of Yissachar and Zevulun, and Chassidic wisdom from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, he reveals the revolutionary idea that tzedakah is not a one-way act of charity but a sacred spiritual partnership. Through moving stories, including a dramatic tale of a Hatzalah medic and his unlikely agreement with a butcher afraid of blood the message becomes clear: the giver and receiver elevate and bless one another. Each act of kindness is a mutual exchange of soul-energy that strengthens Jewish unity and brings the world closer to redemption.

Key Takeaways
Receiving is also giving.
The recipient grants the giver the opportunity to fulfill a supreme mitzvah and gain spiritual merit.

Tzedakah is a partnership.
Like Yissachar and Zevulun, both the supporter and the one supported share in the mitzvah.

Spiritual reward is shared.
Jewish law and Chassidic teachings affirm that those who enable mitzvot receive a full portion of the merit.

Everyone has something to give.
Whether materially or spiritually, we each fill in what others lack.

Unity is our strength.
Caring for one another is the secret of Jewish survival and the catalyst for redemption.

Acts of kindness transform the world.
When we give and receive with dignity, we illuminate each other’s lives and G-d’s world.

End-of-Year Giving | Spread the Light With Us
Every soul you help us reach is another candle blazing against the darkness. If this podcast has touched you, inspired you, or lifted your spirits even once, consider being part of this ripple of goodness. Together, let’s end the year shining a little brighter: https://www.charidy.com/NDG2025

#Charity #Judaism #Kabbalah #Tzedakah #chassidus #giving #receiving #Rebbe #chabad #chassidut #Torah #TorahPortion #yissachar #zevulun #jewishunity #actsofkindness #kindness

Support the show

Got your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.com

Single? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.

Donate and support Rabbi Bernath’s work http://www.jewishndg.com/donate

Follow Rabbi Bernath’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernath

Access Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi