Weekly On-line Rabbi's D'var-Torah
December 19, 2024
20 Kislev 5785
Vayeshev
Here are 8 thoughts on Hanukkah....
1. It’s all about religious freedom. In the Second Book of Maccabees, we read the following description of the very first Hanukkah: “They celebrated it for eight days with rejoicing in the manner of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), mindful of how but a little while before they had been wandering about like wild beasts in the mountains and caves (2 Maccabees 10:6-8).”
2. The IDF follows in the footsteps of the Maccabees. In his description of Hanukkah, the Jewish Roman historian Flavius Josephus wrote: “Judah assembled the people and said that after the many victories that God had given them, they ought to go up to Jerusalem and purify the Temple and offer the customary sacrifice (Jewish Antiquities 12.7.6-7).”
3. If we’re not careful, we might miss a miracle. In a book called Megillat Taanit compiled in the 1st century CE, the rabbis made sure that we did not ignore the miraculousness of the Hanukkah story: “A miracle happened, and there was light from it for eight days. In the following year, they established eight festival days (Megillat Taanit 9).”
4. When we light the candles each night, we are reminded that we have the potential to be just a little bit better each day. The Talmud teaches: “Beit Hillel says to light one candle on the first night and to add one on each following day….The reason for Beit Hillel’s opinion is that the number of lights is based on the principle: One elevates to a higher level in matters of sanctity and one does not downgrade (Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 21b).”
5. For over 2,000 years, the Jewish People have been the underdog, but somehow we find a way to survive. The prayer that is recited during every service and every meal of Hanukkah says the following: “You [God] delivered the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few, the corrupt into the hands of the pure in heart, the guilty into the hands of the innocent. You delivered the arrogant into the hands of those who were faithful to Your Torah. (Al Hanissim – Siddur Sim Shalom translation).”
6. We Jews adapt to whatever society in which we find ourselves. Jonathan Sarna, professor of American Jewish history at Brandeis University, explains that Jews used to exchange gifts only on Purim, but in the late 19th century there was a shift from Purim to Hanukkah. He wrote: "Hanukkah gelt is an old custom, well attested in Europe. Gift giving, by contrast, is new."
7. Hanukkah reminds us to put our phones down and play a game with our family. In the great code of Jewish law called the Shulchan Arukh, Joseph Caro wrote: “On the 25th of Kislev (start) the eight days of Hanukkah, and they are prohibited for eulogizing and fasting, but are permitted for doing work. The women have made it a custom not to do work while the candles are burning (Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 670:1).” So, don’t forget to play some Dreidel!
8. Hanukkah is cool! According to a recent survey of American Jews, over 72 percent of us light Hanukkah candles (including all the people in Adam Sandler’s songs!). More Jews light Hanukkah lights than participate in a Passover Seder or fast on Yom Kippur. Light your menorah with pride!
So, have a happy, happy Hanukkah!
Shalom,
RAF.
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