Welcome to the Chanuka issue of Moadim U'Zmanim. With this edition, we complete our second full year of publication. Our original aim was to publish inspiring and informative articles for the Yomim Tovim, thus enhancing and enriching our celebration of the Chagim. At the same time, it was hoped that seeing the beauty of the Torah would stimulate a greater interest in Torah study. I thank Hashem for the success we have had so far.

This issue also marks another milestone. It is being issued in conjunction with the Kollel's twentieth anniversary dinner. This is indeed a remarkable achievement - twenty consecutive years dedicated to limud HaTorah and to teaching the D'var Hashem to the broader community. This landmark is testimony to the devotion and mesiras nefesh of the Roshei Kollel shlita, the Chavrei HaKollel and their families. It is also a celebration for the Kollel committee and the community as a whole. A special relationship was forged between the Kollel and its supporters - a relationship that continues to this day. This occasion marks twenty years of supporting limud HaTorah and appreciating the role that Torah plays in the perpetuation of K'lal Yisrael and in making us a unique people, the Am Segula. It is thus very appropriate that we should be celebrating this milestone before Chanuka.

Chanuka highlights the tenacity of the Jewish People to uphold the values of Torah. The Chashmanaim understood that dedication to Torah was paramount even if one might be forced to forfeit their life to uphold this allegiance. It was because of this mesiras nefesh that they merited Hashem's salvation.

This is why we commemorate Chanuka. We recall the miracles that Hashem performed bayamim haheim, baz'man hazeh, in those days at this time. We must learn from the example of the Chashmanaim and apply these lessons in our times. Today, more than ever as our people face adversity and turmoil on an almost daily basis both in Eretz Yisrael and around the world, we must renew our commitment to the Torah. In this merit may Hashem protect us and bring the Geula, speedily in our days, baz'man hazeh.

Yosef Levinson
Editor