On Motza’ei Shabbat Chanukah – Mikeitz, Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a lit the fourth Chanukah candle in his holy home – the Sefirah of Netzach, and afterwards, sat with his family for the Malevah Malka meal.

The Rav shlit”a lit the fourth candle at 8:20 PM and sang the Chanukah songs for over a half-hour.  Afterwards, he sat with his family – grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren for the fourth meal – Melaveh Malkah of Shabbat Chanukah.  The Rav sang all of the songs with pleasantness and vitality, and before the song “Eliyahu HaNavi,” he gave over a shiur of 22 minutes on the subject of Chanukah.  He spoke at length about the story of the Chanukah miracle and victory that was above any natural course of events.  Here are a number of quotes from the shiur: “The Greek empire was an empire which ruled over the entire world.  It’s impossible to defeat such an empire.  They ruled from India to Italy.  They ruled over the entire known world of the time.  Suddenly, five Jews came along and subdued the largest empire in the world…” “The greatest revelation is on Chanukah, in which “the wicked were given over to the hands of tzaddikim.”  Because fine, we have found in history the many in the hands of the few, and the strong in the hands of the weak.  This happens sometimes, but “the wicked in the hands of tzaddikim”!?  This we don’t find!  There’s no such thing.  Always, the wicked are the ones who succeed.  The tzaddikim always need to hide away.   “Hide for a brief moment until the wrath has passed.” After the fascinating shiur, the Rav continued with the songs of Malevah Malkah to their conclusion, and said Zimun on a cup.  At 10:00 PM, the meal concluded, and Moreinu HaRav shlit”a entered his room.