Zot Chanukah is often treated as the end of Chanukah. But Chassidus teaches the opposite: this is where it finally begins.
Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore the hidden depth of Zot Chanukah through a striking Belzer custom: singing Mizmor L’Todah specifically on the final night of Chanukah. Why does gratitude wait until now? Why wasn’t it possible earlier?
We uncover a powerful idea: for the first seven days of Chanukah, Am Yisrael was still unable to fully say “thank you.” They were impure, the Mizbeach wasn’t ready, the Beit HaMikdash itself wasn’t yet fit for korbanot. Everything was preparation.
Only on Zot Chanukah, when the Mizbeach was finally completed and Klal Yisrael became pure, could everyone bring a Korban Todah. Thousands of pent-up thank-yous, from years of waiting, finally poured out in one day. Zot Chanukah became a national Yom Tov of gratitude.
This teaching reframes the avodah of today:
Not waiting for a perfect ending to say thank you. Not postponing gratitude until the picture is complete. Learning to give thanks as soon as it becomes possible.
Zot Chanukah isn’t closure. It’s commitment. It’s the beginning of a year lived with awareness, humility, and gratitude.
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About this video
“Zot Chanukah: It Only Starts Now” is a video from Rav Shlomo Katz, published on December 22, 2025 and available to watch on VideoVinkel. The total runtime is 25:45. It has been viewed 866 times so far. Press play above to stream the full video right here, or open the original on YouTube.
“Zot Chanukah: It Only Starts Now” was uploaded by Rav Shlomo Katz on December 22, 2025. You can browse more uploads from Rav Shlomo Katz on VideoVinkel.
How long is this video?
The total runtime is 25:45.
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As of the latest sync, this video has been viewed 866 times and liked 42 times.
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You can stream this video right here on VideoVinkel — just press play at the top of this page. The original is also available on YouTube.
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