Shalom Everyone,

So I know it is the end of December and this is the January bulletin, but when you receive this we will still be celebrating Chanukah. In fact, we should be lighting our full menorah, all eight candles and the shamash, on the night of New Year’s Day. 

According to tradition, Chanukah is actually a very small holiday in the Jewish calendar. It isn’t mentioned anywhere in the Torah or the Bible, and its celebration isn’t even mandated until the time of the Talmud. However, for modern Jews, it holds deep meaning. At its core, Chanukah celebrates religious freedom and tolerance. It commemorates a time when our people, fed up with a ruling power that persecuted and oppressed them, fought for their right to live as Jews and emerged victorious.

Chanukah is also a celebration of miracles. The miracle of the weak overcoming the mighty. The miracle of oil lasting longer than expected. The miracle of a people who never lose hope.

The story of Chanukah begins during the time when the Greeks controlled the land of Israel. During this period, the Greeks made it extremely challenging for the Jews to practice their religion. They erected idols of their gods in town centers and the Temple and prohibited the Jews from worshipping Adonai. When the Maccabees could no longer endure Greek rule and Greek law, they rebelled and drove the Greeks out of the region. By this account, the miracle is the fact that a small group of rebels was able to defeat the entire Greek army.  

Later tradition recounts another miracle. After the Maccabees vanquished the Greeks, they meticulously cleaned the desecrated Temple and prepared to rededicate it to God. However, one of the Temple’s stipulations was the perpetual burning of an Eternal Light, a constant reminder of God’s presence. Regrettably, the Maccabees discovered only sufficient oil to sustain the flame for a single day, and they were aware that it would take eight days to replenish the supply. Despite this knowledge, they proceeded to light the lamp, and the meager amount of oil they had endured for eight days, providing them with the necessary time. Consequently, we also commemorate the miracle of the oil during this festive holiday.

However, Eliyahu Kitov, as expounded in The Book of Our Heritage, suggests an additional miracle associated with Chanukah. He writes, “The true miracle of Chanukah lies in the Maccabees’ courageous decision to light the menorah on the inaugural day, even amidst their uncertainty about the subsequent day’s circumstances. This very same miracle has sustained the Jewish people through every generation and every exile. Had we succumbed to our apprehensions about the future, we would have long since lost the resilience to endure.”

Chanukah stands as a celebration of miracles. It embodies the strength to stand up for our convictions, the light that illuminates our lives, and the faith that enables us to continue our traditions even in the face of the unknown future.

May we all be blessed with a wonderful holiday season and a joyous Chanukah.

Chag Sameach,
Rabbi Todd