Pure Love

i know Channuka has come and gone, but the lesson we learn from this holy holiday is appropriate all year round. Rabbi Wallerstein gave a shir about the neis of Channuka and why we put our menorahs in the window. He said that the reason why we put our menorahs in the window is not for the goyim to see, it is for everyone to see and to remind not only of the neis that Hashem performed for us, but of the love that was so strong during that period in time. Why were we zoche to see such a miracle? Rabbi Wallerstein said that the rabbis of that time said that when the tzibbur is impure, it is muttar for them to use impure oil. the yidden in that generation had such a great love for Hashem that they would not settle for giving their beloved Ribono Shel Olam anything but the best. they had the rebbeims blessing to use that tamei oil but they said NO we will not give Hashem something that is not worthy. they decided as a group to light the menorah with the small amount of PURE oil they had because Hashem only deserved the best. Hashem saw that the hearts of these yidden were SO pure and SO sincere and middah kneged middah Hashem said, if thats how much true and pure love u are showing ME then of course in return i will go beyond for you and let these pure lights burn beyond natures limitations.
Rabbi W asked us.. how often do we do mitzvot because we LOVE Hashem, how often do we do things for Hashem when we dont have to.. so often we find ourselves saying "oh man i HAVE TO bench now, or i HAVE TO go daven mincha now.." back then, the yidden were SO excited to do things for Hashem they had true love and excitement in their avodas Hashem. This is what the menorah in the window shows US. we look at the lights and think back to the time where not only was that pure oil burning for much longer than expected , but there was a pure love that existed and because of that we were zocheh to see miracles.
lets try to show Hashem that our love is still pure so many years later and that we can still do mitzvos FOR Hashem and not for other potential benefits we may gain from that mitzvah.... for example... besamim... it is a mitzvah to make a bracha on besamim so next time u have the chance ... make a bracha having in mind that this mitzvah is PURELY for Hashem's sake and iyHashem in return you will be zocheh to see many miracles in all of your lives
Have a great week and Hatzlacha to everyone who has finals !