Ascending in Holiness: A Concluding Reflection for Chanukah
This Chanukah began with shocking darkness, an unspeakable crime against not only Jews in Australia, but ultimately each one of us. However, our response to the event bespeaks the resilience of our people, a people that are committed to create light in the face of darkness.
But really, beyond the imagery of light and dark, what does it mean to light a candle, adding one each day? The key to the mitzvah is the words of Beit Hillel, who teach ‘we ascend in holiness and do not go down.’
Consider the story of the oil that lasts for eight days. What does that really mean? It means that in truth, the flames atop the oil are really not physical, but spiritual. There source is from beyond, or Beyond. The first time we hear about eight in connection with fire interestingly is the dedication of the altar in the wilderness. For seven days Moses trains Aaron and his sons in the sacred sacrificial service. On the eighth day, Moses and Aaron bless the people, and miraculously a fire comes down from heaven consuming the sacrifices. Fire in the Torah represents the Divine presence, which dwells within the Temple, and by extension the people of Israel.
The festival of Chanukah means dedication. What are we dedicating? The most ancient sources of the holiday make it clear that the Hasmoneans were rededicating the altar and the Temple itself. Hence the story of the miracle of oil associated with the number eight is a way of saying, “Our efforts are no less significant than the efforts of Moses and Aaron many eons ago!” And just as God responded in the wilderness after seven days of effort, God responded to us after our struggle and our war.
Consider the story we tell. A weary band of warriors following many years of struggle enter the Temple, a place where the Divine and humanity was said to meet. What they initially see is ultimate chaos and destruction, the Greek idols strewn across the Temple courtyard. It must have been a dismaying sight, as they come face to face with the enormity of the destruction; even the Holy Temple was not immune from the ravages of war. In the past two years, like the Hasmoneans of old, we have also witnessed the path of destruction and Jew hatred rearing its head.
Furthermore, when the Hasmoneans rededicated the Temple, the war was not over. The war would continue for years, and the sons of Mattathias, and Mattathias himself, would die in battle. Thus, they lit the candles and rededicated the Temple in the very midst of trouble.
When they lit the oil, did they expect a miracle? I think not. To light during times like this is an act of spiritual resistance, of inspiration. What tomorrow would bring, who would know? However, for this moment, they were going to light the menorah with its spiritual light filling the chambers of the Temple, in the hope that it would not only bring illumination to the place but illuminate their heart. Lighting the oil represented their own inspiration, and ultimately, they did prevail
The miracle reflects the fact that when we act faithfully, when we light candles, God responds in kind. In truth, we are conduits through which the Divine permeates existence. Our tradition teaches us that eventually, the forces of life and light will long outlast the outburst of hatred. At the moment we may not see this but we will in the long run.
This is the teaching of Beit Hillel, that we ascend in holiness every day. Our acts of faith give us the inspiration to transcend ourselves, to do more than what we felt possible. If eight represents a world filled with the Divine spirit, day by day we take the actions necessary to bring that about, and God gives us the strength to not only endure, but to flourish. Just as the small band of Hasmoneans defeated the largest army, we too will defeat our enemies. We will not only do this through fighting, but doubling down on who we are, what our values are, and spreading those values for all to see. We will light menorahs.
I believe the adding of one flame every day is not simply about Chanukah, but a metaphor for history itself. As Jews we believe history is meaningful, and our actions make a difference. We believe the trajectory of history moves to a better place, even as if there are times punctuated by doubt, darkness, and tragedy. In truth, no objective evidence will necessarily prove this. We believe in this vision of history not because of historical evidence, but because we create the next chapter in history through faithful actions. We light one more light every day, with the knowledge that our actions lay the groundwork for the future- for ourselves, our families, our communities and the world.
As we leave this holiday, let us hold tight to Beit Hillel’s teaching, to consistently ascend and holiness and not go down. Let us continue to light more and more lights! Like the Hasmoneans of old, we will defeat our enemies, and we will continue to be a light to the world.
Happy Chanukah
