Sefas Emes on Chanukah and Pirsumei Nisa

Sefat Emet, Bereishit, For Chanuka.19 establishes the foundation: pirsumei nisa is a great matter because every miracle was performed precisely so that God's glory should be revealed and publicized in the world — whereas God's governance and renewal of creation ordinarily remain hidden within nature, a miracle is God's will that the glory of His kingship be openly manifested.

Building on this, Sefat Emet, Bereishit, For Chanuka.4 argues that the Chanukah miracle is especially beloved, since unlike miracles performed for Israel's physical salvation, this miracle enabled Israel to perform a mitzvah — demonstrating God's desire for their deeds — and for this reason the day was instituted for hallel and thanksgiving rather than feasting, because the miracle was for the honor of God's name.

The gratitude expressed through pirsumei nisa is itself deepened, according to Sefat Emet, Bereishit, For Chanuka.3, when one internalizes that one is unworthy of a miracle — for thanksgiving to God for a miracle is only meaningful when one recognizes that miracles are not owed, and through that recognition one attains a deeper apprehension of the miracle and greater capacity for praise.