Tuesday Kislev 29, Fifth Day of Chanuka, 5703
Chumash: Mikeitz, Shlishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 140-150.
Tanya: Ch. 4. In addition (p. 13)...(that he violates). (p. 13).
The sins of Israel in the time of the Greeks were: Fraternizing with the Greeks, studying their culture, profaning Shabbat and Holy Days, eating Treifa and neglecting Jewish Tahara. [1] The punishment-tribulation was the spiritual destruction [2] of the Sanctuary, death, and slavery in exile. Through teshuva [3] and Mesirat Nefesh, [4] that great, miraculous Divine salvation - the miracle of Chanuka - came about.
Notes:
Purity. The term "family purity" (for Taharat Hamishpacha) describes Torah laws concerning marriage, particularly Mikva, and all observances related to family sanctity. See Sh'vat 21; Nissan 10.
The defilement of the Sanctuary, its altar, and the famous cruses of oil. The physical destruction centuries later was by the Romans.
"Return," or "repentance," a frequent theme in Torah and Chassidus. See for example Tishrei 3 to 8.
Total devotion, to the point of martyrdom.