Holidays

The succah is a very great joy: to such a degree that it cannot be permanent, but a temporary dwelling. But it stands in one place, because waves of light expressing that joy pour forth. One wave rises and with no interruption descends, and a second, new wave flows, one which is brighter and more joyful. It appears as if it is all one succah. But in truth, at every moment and fraction of a moment, there is literally a new succah. And since the joy is new and the newness is constant, this is "the time of our joy."

Arpelei Torah, quoted in Moadei Harayah, p. 95

Chanukah contains the influence of the most supernal future days. For this reason, the word Chanukah is in the passive form: it is receiving. Chanukah expresses the form of all the lights that must shine within the nation: the light of Torah, the light of prophecy, the light of wisdom, the light of justice, the light of strength, the light of joy, the light of kindness, the light of love, and so forth.

Before we are able to recognize the supernal essence of life, these many lights appear to us separately, as though they are fragmented. But these separations will not last forever. As long as there are such differences in viewpoint, holiness will not gain a basis in the world. The essential blessing is that of peace. And that will exist in the future when everyone has the clear awareness that all the lights, with all their particulars, are really one light.

Olat Harayah, p. 435