Did you miss the Mitzvah

Rabbi Gladstein teaches that lighting the menorah is unlike other mitzvot.
On Sukkot, we shake the lulav. Even without illustrious thoughts, we get credit for doing the mitzvah. A man who puts on Tefillin and says the Brachot has fulfilled the mitzvah even without deep thought and intention.
But with the Menorah, the act of lighting is NOT THE MITZVAH.
If all I did was light the wick, I did not "light the Menorah."
The Mitzvah, says Rabbi Gladstein, is gratitude.

How do I express gratitude when lighting? Do I make a sign? Write H'shem a thank you card? I express my gratitude by lighting the Menorah with the intention that lighting is my expression of gratitude.
Says Rav Shlomo Zalman, you didn't have the intention, you missed the main part of the Mitzvah. Reb Betzalel Jolty goes so far as to say "Lo Yatza" - it's as if you haven't fulfilled the Mitzvah.

It's also important to understand the Bracha and the Al Hanisim that we say by the lighting; otherwise, you did not fulfill the Mitzvah. That's why we say "Anachnu Madlikim...K'dei L'Hodot".To the point that the Gemara refers to the lighting of the Menorah as Hodaah (thanks), not even emphasizing the lighting of the Menorah.

To sum up, the MAIN MITZVAH of lighting the Menorah is gratitude.

The Gemara also says anyone who is careful in lighting Ner Chanukah will have children who are Talmidei Chachamim. So why do so many light and their children are not? Says Rabbi Yitzchak Tzaginohar, many light but are not zoche because they lack the Kavanah, the intention of why they are lighting, which is "K'dei L'hodot U'lehalel" - to give gratitude to Hashem.

This Chanuka, before you light, take two precious minutes to reflect deeply on all the blessings in your life.
Let your heart fill with true joy and gratitude to H'shem. Only then, with this elevated consciousness, light your menorah. Through this proper kavanah of genuine thanks, BE"H you will merit to have children who are Talmidei Chachamim, and all the tefilot you say by the Chanukah lights will be fulfilled.

Photo by Neal E. Johnson on Unsplash

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