miracle

Ohel Leah Synagogue

OLS: CONNECT

Kislev 5768 - December 2007 Hong Kong

THE MIRACLE OF CHANUKAH

by Rabbi Martin van den Bergh

Text Box: The Talmud teaches us that the real Mitzvah of lighting the Menorah, lies in what is called Pirsum HaNes, publicising the Miracle. Consequently the Menorah should be placed in such a position where it can be seen and at such a time that the public will be passing by to see it. Many may have noticed, especially in the Old City of Jerusalem, homes which have at their entrance, an oblong hole on the opposite side to the Mezuza - this is for the Menorah. What miracle of Chanukah should we be publicising with the Menorah? The Talmud tells us that the miracle was the oil that was found in the Temple in the only jar that has the seal of the Kohen Gadol, to indicate that it had not been defiled, lasted for eight days rather than just for one day as it should have. The miracle however did not only lie in this wonderous event of the oil. It also lay in the defeat of those forces that attempted to blow out the light of Judaism for ever. Those forces led by Antiochus, which was one of the biggest and strongest armies of the world at that time, were defeated by a very small band called the Maccabees led by Yehudah HaMaccabee. Antiochus wanted to impose Hellenism, the Greek Culture upon all his subjects and attempted to blot out any remnants of Judaism from Judea. As powerful as that threat was, there was an even greater threat that those rose up to protect our heritage had to contend with – fellow Jews who had adopted Greek ways, who were using even harsher measures to force other Jews to follow them. It was these Hellenists as they were called, who were the real defilers of the Temple. They even succeeded in having one of their followers, Melenaus to be appointed as Kohen Gadol (even though was not qualified to occupy this lofty and important position) to corrupt the whole Temple Community. So therefore the Miracle which we will be celebrating is the fact that the flame of Judaism was not blown out, as it so easily could have been both by internal and external forces.. The Menorah is also a warning to future generations that those forces have not been totally defeated. We today have a very effective way of ensuring that those winds do not blow out our Judaism and that of future generations. We should always utilise the opportunities we have to light the flame of our Judaism in our own homes. We can do this, not only on Chanukah, but also every Friday night by lighting the Shabbat candles, and by welcoming in the Shabbat spirit by saying Kiddush and enjoying a Shabbat meal together with our families. Friday night is a wonderful opportunity to show our children that the light of our Judaism is important to us. It gives them quality time to sit together as a family and catch up after a very busy week. And it also shows them our unconditional love by blessing them with the very same words that Jacob blessed his children and grandchildren. In this way we can emulate the Maccabees and not only defeat those who wish to destroy our Judaism, but we can also strength its flame, a flame that is warm and enlightening and brings real meaning and richness to our lives.