What hint is hidden in the words “chamesh” and “meshach”?

Question: What is the connection between the five books of the Torah, the oil of the Menorah and the decrees of the Greeks?

Answer:

The Ben Ish Chai points out a special hint:

The initials of the three mitzvot are:

- Chet: Chodesh (new month)

- Mem: Milah (circumcision)

- Shin: Shabbat

Together they form the word ChaMeSh.

This is also the word “chamesh” (five), which hints at the five books of the Torah, whose merit protected the Jewish people.

In addition, in Aramaic the word for oil is “meshach.”

The letters of MeShaCh also hint at the three mitzvot: Milah, Shabbat and Chodesh.

According to the Ben Ish Chai, this hints that the miracle of the oil is connected to the rescue of the Jewish people from the Greek decrees.