"When the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all of the oils. After the Hasmoneans defeated them, they searched and found but one cruse of oil, untouched and sealed with the seal of the High Priest. The cruse had only enough oil for one day, but a miracle occurred and they were able to light from it for eight days. The following year they established these days as a holiday for praise and thanksgiving." (Shabbat 21b)
Questions
The Jewish people have fought many battles in their long history, some accompanied by miracles (such as the walls that fell at Jericho and the sun that stood still at Givon). Why was only the Hasmonean victory established as a holiday to be celebrated for all generations?
Why celebrate a war in which the Temple was defiled and many Jews were lost to a foreign culture?
Why are there no festive meals on Chanukah, unlike other holidays - just "praise and thanksgiving"?
What is the significance of the sealed cruse of oil?
Cultural Conflict Throughout the Generations
The military victories of the Greek empire led to the spread of Greek culture and philosophy, and the external charm of Hellenism captured the hearts of many Jews. Central beliefs of the Torah and mitzvot were under attack from these new ideas. The danger was so great that there could have been permanent damage to the spiritual state of the Jewish people.
The salvation from this cultural conflict came in the form of a small cruse of oil. The sealed jar represents the innermost root of pure faith, strong and brave in the depth of the Jewish soul. This source of pure holiness protected the people of Israel in their struggle with Hellenism.
The sages understood that Chanukah needed to be established as a permanent holiday, for the battle against the overpowering Greek culture was not a one-time struggle of the Hasmoneans. The power and purity of the inner oil, undefiled by foreign hands, is still needed to protect and guard the Torah from the challenges of external ideologies.
The Contribution of Hellenism
The sages also understood that this conflict with Hellenism, despite its disastrous short-term effects, would in the end bestow great benefits. This is an underlying rule of nature: that which opposes us, and whose very existence appears to be evil, will in the end invigorate the sources of truth and good. Greek philosophy and science, after becoming subdued before the exquisite greatness of the Torah, will serve to further honor and strengthen the Torah and its ideas. Therefore, it is fitting to celebrate these days, despite the difficulties of the Hasmonean period.
However, the festival of Chanukah is celebrated without feasting and wine. There were two sides to Hellenism: the intellectual culture of Greek philosophy and knowledge; and the popular culture of physical pleasure and crass entertainment. One might make the mistake that the positive contribution of Hellenism is this delight in wine, parties and naked wrestling matches. Therefore, we celebrate Chanukah with spiritual vehicles - candles and Hallel, praise and thanksgiving. For the true contributions of Hellenism were the very intellectual resources that posed such a grave challenge to the Torah in the times of the Hasmoneans. These resources constitute the aspect of Greek culture that in the future will defend and enhance the Torah.
[Based on Ein Aya, vol. III, pp. 66-7]
Questions
The Jewish people have fought many battles in their long history, some accompanied by miracles (such as the walls that fell at Jericho and the sun that stood still at Givon). Why was only the Hasmonean victory established as a holiday to be celebrated for all generations?
Why celebrate a war in which the Temple was defiled and many Jews were lost to a foreign culture?
Why are there no festive meals on Chanukah, unlike other holidays - just "praise and thanksgiving"?
What is the significance of the sealed cruse of oil?
Cultural Conflict Throughout the Generations
The military victories of the Greek empire led to the spread of Greek culture and philosophy, and the external charm of Hellenism captured the hearts of many Jews. Central beliefs of the Torah and mitzvot were under attack from these new ideas. The danger was so great that there could have been permanent damage to the spiritual state of the Jewish people.
The salvation from this cultural conflict came in the form of a small cruse of oil. The sealed jar represents the innermost root of pure faith, strong and brave in the depth of the Jewish soul. This source of pure holiness protected the people of Israel in their struggle with Hellenism.
The sages understood that Chanukah needed to be established as a permanent holiday, for the battle against the overpowering Greek culture was not a one-time struggle of the Hasmoneans. The power and purity of the inner oil, undefiled by foreign hands, is still needed to protect and guard the Torah from the challenges of external ideologies.
The Contribution of Hellenism
The sages also understood that this conflict with Hellenism, despite its disastrous short-term effects, would in the end bestow great benefits. This is an underlying rule of nature: that which opposes us, and whose very existence appears to be evil, will in the end invigorate the sources of truth and good. Greek philosophy and science, after becoming subdued before the exquisite greatness of the Torah, will serve to further honor and strengthen the Torah and its ideas. Therefore, it is fitting to celebrate these days, despite the difficulties of the Hasmonean period.
However, the festival of Chanukah is celebrated without feasting and wine. There were two sides to Hellenism: the intellectual culture of Greek philosophy and knowledge; and the popular culture of physical pleasure and crass entertainment. One might make the mistake that the positive contribution of Hellenism is this delight in wine, parties and naked wrestling matches. Therefore, we celebrate Chanukah with spiritual vehicles - candles and Hallel, praise and thanksgiving. For the true contributions of Hellenism were the very intellectual resources that posed such a grave challenge to the Torah in the times of the Hasmoneans. These resources constitute the aspect of Greek culture that in the future will defend and enhance the Torah.
[Based on Ein Aya, vol. III, pp. 66-7]