What Is Chanuka-
Full overview of the Jewish holiday
Chanuka is chronologically our last holiday before entering 2000 years of exile; The only one that does not appear in our bible
Synopsis
Chanuka celebrates the Jewish victory over the Assyrian-Greek regime of Antiochus. The Greeks pushed to Hellenize the Jews and forbade many Jewish practices such as circumcision and shabbat. A small group of Jews led a heroic successful rebellion against them. When they recaptured the Temple, a jug of pure oil (sealed by the high priest) which was sufficient to burn the Menorah only for one day, burned for eight days straight. Today, we celebrate eight days of Chanuka.
Historical Background-
The story of Chanuka occurs during the second temple. We will break down the time period of the second temple (585 years ) into three time periods.
First time Period ( ~160 years )
Shortly after building the second temple, the Greeks gain control of the area. Around 330 BCE, Alexander the Great (who studied under Aristotle) conquered the entire territory of the Persian Empire, including the Land of Israel.
Following the great occupation, Greek culture absorbed and dominated the world’s cultures, forming one Hellenistic culture. The Hellenistic culture spread throughout the lands and other cultures. Over time, their influence in the Land of Israel, albeit slow, increased, especially among the rich and noble. These Jews called themselves Hellenists. They succumbed to the Greek lifestyle. The Jews in this time period are, however, enabled religious freedom.
Second time Period — The story of Chanuka (~7 years)
Under the rule of Antiochus IV, things begin to take a bad turn for the Jews. Sacrificial work was abolished and the Second Temple, was turned into a Pagan place of worship. Keeping the Torah laws- particularly Shabbat, circumcision and Kashrut was forbidden.
His soldiers went from village to village and forced the Jews to worship foreign gods. Some agreed, while others chose to be killed or to flee. When they arrived at the village of Modi’in, Matityahu Hashmonai chose to kill the oppressor. Together with his sons he began a rebellion against the Greeks.
Yehuda HaMaccabi, who was the bravest of his sons, led the warriors. The war was hard. With heroism and talent, after about two years the Hasmoneans succeeded in conquering Jerusalem, and on the 25th day of Kislev, 165 BCE, they began the purification of the temple. They found one vessel of oil bearing the seal of the High Priest. It contained enough oil to burn for one day —however, a miracle occurred and it burned for eight days.
Third Period — Aftermath (~200 years)
Fighting continues
The Greeks later returned to the land with great forces and conquered Jerusalem and gained control of the temple. In order to lower the tension with the Jews, they did however abolish the decrees and allowed the Jews to keep the Torah and its commandments. However, the revolt did not stop and the Hashmoneans continued to fight the Greeks.
(Mostly) Independent state ~200 years
After decades of fighting they were able to reach political independence. They established an independent state for about 60 years. This was mostly under the auspices of the great empires, first Greek and then Rome.
Cultural war continues
Although the revolt ended in a military-political victory, and reversed the process of Hellenization, the cultural war resurfaced. After a few decades Hellenism returned to influence the Jews.
Failures of the Hashmoean Kingdom
The first generation of Matityahu and his sons emphasized pure spiritual living and goals. Their descendants however, the Hashmonean dynasty, is not one we particularly celebrate. One of the historical tragedies, was that the very descendants were themselves hellenists! Matityahu’s own great-grandson King Yanai, was a Hellenist. While nationally he fought for the expansion of Israel’s borders, religiously he fought the sages of Israel who kept the tradition.
Destruction by the Romans
The Romans arrived in 63 BCE. They destroyed the temple in 70 BCE sending us into 2000 years of exile. The Hashmonean dynasty was the last independent state for nearly 2000 years.
Spiritual conflict - Clash of Cultures-
“A summary of every Jewish holiday — they tried to kill us, we won — let’s eat” ~Alan King
As apposed to other Jewish holidays, where “they tried to kill us”, the Greek’s intent was not to kill the Jews. Chanukah is about the fight for the spiritual identity and freedom of the Jews.
What were some key clashes between the two cultures?
Torah is another “wisdom”, philosophy vs prophecy
The Greeks loved wisdom, they value the Torah and its wisdom but were not willing to accept what was above the human mind. They objected to the fact the Torah was given to us Jews by a divine entity, who wants us to fulfill his commandants. They object to the laws that are beyond human mind and logic such as circumcision, which they see as a violation of the human body.
To Jews, the Torah and the Torah laws are not regular wisdom, but Divine wisdom. It is the transmission of God’s word to us.
Translation of the Hebrew Torah into Greek by Hellenist king— They translated this “human wisdom” from an unfamiliar language in order to share it with the world.
The philosophers deny providence. Aristotle’s God is impersonal, the final cause. The God of Abraham is personal.
Beauty Vs Holiness , material vs spiritual
Hellenism glorified the physical. The Greeks were masters of art, science, philosophy and beauty. But for the most part, their admiration extended no further than the physical. They idolized the body and excelled in sports. Their gods were human supermen, possessing all the human traits. Jews, while appreciating beauty of the world, focus more on spirituality and holiness.
The Greeks worshiped the holiness of beauty. The Jews taught the world the beauty of holiness. ~Rabbi Benjamin Blech
Assimilation vs acculturation —Hellenism
“Am I a Jewish-Greek or a Greek-Jew” ~Rabbi Tzvi Nightingale
There was an internal spiritual conflict within the Jewish people as well. The Greeks enlightened the world with art, culture, philosophy and science. The Jews were faced with a very attractive philosophy and lifestyle that rivaled their own. Sadly, many Jews were Hellenists who succumbed to the tempting Greek lifestyle.
“We have been in every culture and place in the world, subjected to all influences of every civilization. We naturally become acculturated in every place…
Jews have also fought enormous struggles not to lose their Jewish identity, not to assimilate…There is a shifting line between acculturation and assimilation. Intermarriage in Jewish history was relatively insignificant because of the non-Jewish side. In our world today, there is no stigma in marrying a jew. If the non Jews will have us, its a matter of personal decision and then the road to assimilation and intermarriage is open. Then we need to understand why it matters, why one is Jewish. “
~Rabbi Berel Wein
Was the miracle about the war or the jug of oil?
On the Holiday of Chanukah we celebrate two miracles that occured:
- The Miracle of the war- The Hashmonean victory over the huge and mighty Greek army.
- The miracle of jug of oil- The discovery of just one small pure vessel of olive oil in the Temple which miraculously burned for eight days until new, pure oil could be made.
Which one is the main miracle?
On one hand, the miracle of the jug of oil and the lighting of candles are not mentioned in the books of the Maccabees (historical books, not part of our bible). In our prayers said on Chanuka, the miracle of the jug of oil is not mentioned. In our prayers we mention the war and the renewal of the temple work, without specifying the miracle of oil.
On the other hand, our sages decades later emphasize the jug of oil miracle- the story of the miracle is a central theme among Jews living in the Diaspora. Some claim during exile Jews preferred not to glorify or even mention the rebellion, which could be risky for them living under foreign rule.
Explanations-
There were many holidays that the Jews kept in the days of the Second Temple celebrating victories of war in Israel. After the destruction of the Second Temple, these holidays were abolished and lost their importance. The destruction became the main focus.
The only holiday which remained for generations were the days of Chanukah. The special miracle of the jug of oil and the mitzvah of lighting candles that sages commanded us to light and it’s special spiritual significance, made us preserve this holiday.
The war itself began as a religious war, about holiness and spirituality. Therefore, both miracles focus on holiness and purity. Some scholars explain that the miracle of the jug of oil gave a heavenly ‘validation’ to the human acts of war initiated.
The miracle of the victory of the war and the miracle of the oil express together the triumph of divine faith and wisdom.
What we did gain from Chanuka?
“Blessing In disguise”-
The Hellenism process in Judah was taking place, although slower than other nations. If the Greeks had been patient, Judah would possibly have become Greek as the rest of the nations, God forbid. By being pushed a bit too hard, we had no choice to battle them and rediscover our devotion to faith.
Independent state
Although the revolt began as a religious revolt, the Hasmoneans found themselves as leaders of an independent kingdom that reached its peak of power and size in the days of Alexander Yanai (67 BCE).
With all the drawbacks of the Hashmonean dynasty, there was much value to their victories. Political independence, while partial, contributed to the prosperity of the Jewish population in the country in all respects. Jewish settlement spread throughout the Land of Israel.
Spiritual center
The Land of Israel became the national and spiritual center of the people of Israel. In those days the spiritual foundation of the Oral Torah was laid, which helped us maintain our faith during two thousand years of difficult exile. Although the Second Temple was destroyed, the oral Torah study that developed and intensified in those days remained forever.
Chanuka Themes
The number 8: beyond nature
When the Maccabees rededicated the Temple and came to light the Menorah, they found only enough pure oil to burn for one night, but miraculously, it lasted for 8 days. Therefore, we light candles and celebrate Chanuka for 8 days.
In Jewish thought, the numbers 6, 7 and 8 represent a progression. Six stands for the physical universe. It corresponds to the four directions — north, south, east, and west — together with up and down.
Seven represents holiness within nature — the spiritual element within the universe. Shabbat is the seventh day of the week, the spiritual day within physical world.
Eight is the number above nature, that transcends the physical universe. A baby is circumcised on the eighth day. We devote ourselves to something higher, to a transcendent God. The Greek culture objected to the idea of a transcendent God, beyond this universe. Circumcision to them was seen as a violation of the human body they idolized.
Significance of oil
The holiday of Chanuka and it’s meaning is symbolized by oil. Oil is unique, it does not easily blend with other liquids.
Israel is not like other nations. Our faith cannot be taken away, we won’t assimilate.
Like the oil of the Chanukah story, we dare not assimilate.
Laws and customs
Laws
The main laws of the holiday are- the lighting of candles for 8 days, the blessing “On the miracles” in prayers and the recitation of Hallel Shalem= a full Hallel.
Customs —
On Hanukkah, in commemoration of the miracle of the oil, we eat foods cooked with oil. We eat latkes and sufganiyot.
On Hanukkah we spin the ‘sevivon’ (=dreidel), a four-sided top with a Hebrew letter on each side.
As we bring ever greater light into our homes every night with its flame, we affirm our belief that we will succeed. We will maintain our uniqueness that has enabled us not only to survive but to be the torchbearers of morality and civilization for all mankind. ~ Rabbi Benjamin Blech
Sources- Pninei Halakha on Chanuka, kolech, Aish article, Aish timeline, Lecture on Hashmoeans
