Chanukah 5785: מַאי חֲנוּכָּה?

For generations, we have heard the Chanukah story of a jar of oil being found in the Temple that was destroyed by the Greeks and that oil lasted for eight days. As a result, Chanukah lasts for eight days. With that shared, did you know that the actual Chanukah story is one that we have to look to non-Jewish texts for?  The Rabbis teach about Chanukah in the Talmud, but it is the Book of Maccabees where we find more insight. As a result of this, it prompts us as Jews to look at both texts and seek to find the message that is trying to be illuminated for our everyday lives.

In the Talmud, Shabbat 21b:10, it is taught that “The Gemara asks: What is Hanukkah, and why are lights kindled on Hanukkah? The Gemara answers: The Sages taught in Megillat Ta’anit: On the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the days of Hanukkah are eight. One may not eulogize on them and one may not fast on them. What is the reason? When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary they defiled all the oils that were in the Sanctuary by touching them. And when the Hasmonean monarchy overcame them and emerged victorious over them, they searched and found only one cruse of oil that was placed with the seal of the High Priest, undisturbed by the Greeks. And there was sufficient oil there to light the candelabrum for only one day. A miracle occurred and they lit the candelabrum from it for eight days. The next year the Sages instituted those days and made them holidays with recitation of hallel and special thanksgiving in prayer and blessings.”

This text from the Talmud is the story, as mentioned above, that we are most familiar with. The oil, specifically the oil with the seal of the high priest, is found and we know that a great miracle happened as the oil lasted for eight days rather than one. This text also signifies to us that moving forward, we would recite the words of Hallel which signifies how thankful we are for this miracle. What I believe this story also does is to inspire us to think about how we can be like a Shamash, a helper in adding light to the world.

In contrast to the Talmud, though, it is written in the book of 2 Maccabees that, “They celebrated it for eight days with rejoicing, in the manner of the festival of booths, remembering how not long before, during the festival of booths, they had been wandering in the mountains and caves like wild animals. Therefore, carrying ivy-wreathed wands and beautiful branches and also fronds of palm, they offered hymns of thanksgiving to him who had given success to the purifying of his own holy place. They decreed by public edict, ratified by vote, that the whole nation of the Jews should observe these days every year (2 Maccabees 10:6-8).

This text, while it does come from the New Testament, has some overlaps to the text from the Talmud in it. For example, the recitation of Hallel is mentioned and the number eight signifies how long the rejoicing went on. However, rather than Chanukah, this text is illuminating a delayed celebration of the holiday of Sukkot. We know this because  it is Sukkot that is the holiday of booths as well as the holiday of carrying “ivy-wreathed wands and beautiful branches and also fronds of palm” (2 Maccabees 10:6-8). With that shared, I believe that this text is teaching us not only that (1) Chanukah is a delayed celebration of Sukkot, but also (2) Even though the Temple was destroyed, the Jews of the time rebuilt and celebrated their Judaism.

As you and I both know, the Jewish people are at a pivotal moment in time: Do we let the continued rise in Antisemitism around the world and what is going on in the Middle East stop us from doing and being Jewish or do we “rise up” and continue to model Judaism?

It was mentioned above that the text in the Talmud inspires us to be a Shamash. We use the Shamash to light the Menorah, and Shamash in Hebrew means “Helper.” As a result, when we think about the holiday of Chanukah, I believe that one idea to walk away with is that Chanukah serves as a reminder that we have a lot of light to share with the world, and it is through our Jewish identities that we can do just that.

Therefore, it is with that thought in mind that inspires me to ask: How have you and your family added light to the world and how can you, your family, etc. continue to grow your Jewish practices and identities so that light can continue to be added?

Freilichen Chanukah: May it be a a Chanukah filled with good Latkes, Simchah and Joy, and B”H, may we see the return of the Hostages to their families swiftly and soon.

Chag Urim Sameach from my family to yours!

#Bringthemhomenow