Chanukah is one of the most joyous and celebrated holidays in the Jewish calendar. We rejoice for the victory of the Jews the against far superior and overwhelming forces of the Greek armies. As we recite in the “al hanisim” prayer, “You [HaShem] gave over the mighty to the weak, the many to the few, the impure were given over to the pure, the wicked to the righteous, and the villains into the hands of those who were occupied with Torah.”
It happened then, some 1700 hundred years ago. And it has happened each and every generation since then. The battle against Jews and Judaism is the battle of evil against good, the nations’ ideologies versus the Jewish nation and its constitution, the Torah.
We recite a blessing over the candles, “That You have miracles wrought in those days, ‘in this time.’” The ARI explains that the miracles which occurred then continue to occur in our times too. The Greek kingdom was at the pinnacle of their power—they introduced the world to unprecedented Hellenism and idolatry and did their best to uproot Torah from the Jews. They decreed against Torah study, against observing Shabbat, against circumcision and against kosher food (shechitah). They forced maidens to be raped prior to their nuptuals and forced the Jews to deny HaShem.
Does any of this sound familiar in today’s day and age? What happened in Gaza October 7?
It happened then, some 1700 hundred years ago. And it has happened each and every generation since then. The battle against Jews and Judaism is the battle of evil against good, the nations’ ideologies versus the Jewish nation and its constitution, the Torah.
The uninformed are surprised. Those who are aware of the constant battle between good and evil are not surprised. Hurt? Definitely. In pain for those suffering? Of course. But not surprised. So what can we do about this? Is it our lot to suffer forever by having to do battle with evil? Definitely not!
We are commanded to do good, to observe the Torah and mitzvot. To be kind to others, to give charity and extend a hand wherever necessary. That is our mission. This is what Matityahu and the Maccabees understood. If we are to strengthen our positions, if we are seeking safety and security, we must engage the forces of good, and we must empower that good. As Rebbe Nachman repeats many times, “When one ascends [good], then the other [evil] descends. It is up to us in these trying times to do the best we can.
Then the lights of Chanukah will shine brightly and bring us salvation, Amen.
