Ask The Rabbi...
December 3, 1994 Issue #45
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This issue is dedicated Z''N Golde B''R Mordechai - Gertrude Feinberg Guy
   A mother and grandmother who inspired her son and her grandchildren 
                       to lives of Torah and Mitzvot
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This edition contains:
1.  Miracles: "In those days" yes, but what about "these days"
2.  Polystyrene Chanukia -- "Now that's a fire!"
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Michael @McGill wrote:

>Shalom Rabbi,
>
>Why doesn't G-d speak to us today, the way He did in the days of Moses?  I 
>know that He indirectly performs miracles (saving us from the destruction 
>of our nation in the Spanish inquisition and the Holocaust, the 
>establishment of the State of Israel...) but if He really wanted us to 
>follow His commandments, why doesn't He simply come in a show of fire, and 
>tell us that He's still around?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Michael,

Your question is timeless, and timely -- while we are currently celebrating 
Chanukah 5755 --"...Who performed miracles for our forefathers in those 
days in this time."

I'd like to offer two possible answers:

According to the Ramban, miracles such as the "splitting of the sea" were 
performed in the past to teach that G-d is Omnipotent and is always ruling 
over all of Creation.  But, G-d doesn't perform miracles in every 
generation just to impress non-believers.  Rather, He performed the 
miracle(s) then, and afterwards He commanded us to remember them via 
numerous mitzvot, such as mezuza , kriat shema and Pesach.  By recalling 
these "open" miracles a person can also become aware of the "hidden" 
miracles.  A basic tenet of the Torah is the belief that all occurrences 
are miraculous and are not merely "nature".

So, in answer to your question, Michael, G-d is in fact "speaking" to us 
all the time, and it's our job to be attentive!

Another possible answer is the following:
When the Biblical generations experienced miracles, they were impressed and 
showed their recognition of G-d's hand by living according to G-d's word.  
The miracles taught a lesson to a People prepared to learn.  They possessed 
a pure and wholesome faith.

Today, however, if miracles were to occur, we would explain them away 
scientifically.  We would lose sight of the miracle and be satisfied with 
some natural explanation.  So, what effect would miracles have today?  
Miracles are a means of communication, and communication requires two 
sides.  When we are ready for miracles, when we can recognize one when it 
hits us, we will have them.

Our Sages teach us to "Praise Him for each breath we draw."  We are 
supposed to be grateful for each heart-beat, for all of our vital 
functions, and, for that matter, all of the day-to-day workings of nature.  
This teaches us that there are miracles all around us, even if they occur 
seventy times a minute.  "But it's perfectly natural" is the usual 
rhetoric.  Yet, this is exactly the point.  The ordinary, the natural and 
the commonplace are as much the works of His hands as the splitting the sea 
and Creation itself.

Science seeks the natural in the supernatural; whereas the Torah shows the 
supernatural in the natural.

Sources:
o  Ramban -- Shemot 13:16.

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Bruce Becher of Studio City, California wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>Is it permissible to use flammable substances in order to construct a 
>Chanukia, e.g. sticking candles into polystyrene foam blocks?  I caught my 
>kids in the backyard the other evening with a giant Chanukia made from 
>these highly flammable blocks.  I told them "Not only is this dangerous, 
>but it is forbidden by Jewish Law to make a Chanukia that goes up in 
>flames."  To which my kids -- who have only been in Hebrew School for 2 
>years -- responded "Prove it!!"  Well, needless to say I was not prepared 
>for their response.  Any suggestions?

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Bruce,

There are no Halachic restrictions on substances that can be used for the 
construction of  a Chanukia when candles are used.  In the case of an oil 
Chanukia it is not recommended to use non-glazed pottery as oil and wick 
containers, since they become unfit for use after one lighting.

However, that doesn't mean you are defenseless against your kids.  Because 
there is a real danger of the fire spreading and causing damage and injury, 
you should cite the well known injunction "ein somchim al ha'nes" -- one 
should not rely on a miracle.  This is true even when celebrating a "nes" 
(a miracle).  Halachah forbids a person to create a fire hazard, even in 
order to fulfill a mitzvah.  

As a last resort, you can always cite the California Environmental Code 
(I've forgotten the exact section) which restricts most outdoor fires, and 
imposes severe penalties on violators.

So tell your kids that Hashem made a miracle with a fire more than 2000 
years ago; they can't be so sure that He will make another one for them.  

Sources:
o  Shulchan Aruch -- Orach Chaim 673:3.
o  Chayei Adam -- 154:9.
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