The Chanukah lights are not a means, but are an end unto themselves. The spiritual intensity of these lights does not allow them to serve as a channel for an extrinsic purpose, no matter how lofty that purpose may be.
So what are we supposed to do with these lights? We are meant to practice “candle gazing,” yes we should sit thirty minutes and look at this light.
When H”S created the world, the first thing He did was create light and darkness. The light He created on the first day was so powerful that one could see from one end of the world to the next. Since the sin, H”S hid this light for the coming of Meshiach, but He gives us a glimpse of this very special light which is contained in the Chanukah candles.
Chassidic teachings say that looking at the lights can heal and rectify all negativity accumulated within our sense of sight helping us regain the true sense of reality, therefore we should take the time and meditate for 30 min and gaze at the candles , allowing the light to fill our eyes and purify our vision. While doing this repeat the verse “Ein Od Mi-l’vado”( there is nothing else besides H”S). (Devarim 4:35)
Some excerpts taken from “Eight Lights” by Rav DovBer Pinson
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