39.0°,
Fair Have faith and miracles will happen
In addition to the major festivals that are prescribed in the Torah, there are several minor festivals of later origin. Since these do not have the sanctity of the major festivals, work is permitted. They are marked by special observances in the synagogue and in the home, and their meaning is elaborated by additions to the morning and evening liturgy. Chief among these minor festivals is the celebration of Hanukkah as it commemorates the great deliverance of the Jewish people.
“Now on the five and 20th day of the ninth month, which is called the month of Kislev in the 148th year, they rose up in the morning and offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings which they had made. At the very season and on the very day that the Gentiles had proclaimed it, it was dedicated with songs, harps and symbols … And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days: moreover Judah and his brethren, with the whole congregation of Israel, ordained that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year for eight days, from the five and 20th day of the month of Kislev, with mirth and gladness.
“What is Hanukkah for the Rabbis have taught: commencing with the 25th day of the month of Kislev, there are eight days upon which there shall neither be mourning or fasting. For when the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all the oil that was there. It was when the might of the Hasmonaean dynasty overcame and vanquished them, upon search, only a single cruse of undefiled oil, sealed by the High Priest was found ...”
These passages represent the two strands within the Jewish tradition regarding Hanukkah and its meaning. So we today celebrate the holiday which expresses our thanks to God for delivering us victorious over a powerful and oppressive opponent during the Hellenistic period as well as the miracle afforded us when the rededication of our holy Temple was only made possible by the single cruse of oil which should have lasted but for a single day burned for eight days and nights.
The holiday of Hanukkah teaches us that if we believe in ourselves as well as our maker, there is no difficulty that we cannot overcome.
Rabbi Paul Hoffman
South Shore Jewish Center, Island Park
