Long ago, the Syrian Greeks, having overrun Israel physically and culturally, tried to "modernize" the Jewish people. Our mitzvot became illegal and those who continued with Jewish practices paid with their lives. Some Jews supported this project of Hellenization, while other Jews rose up to defend our special relationship with God and the Torah's prescriptions for maintaining that relationship. Those stubborn Jews who resisted

Yes, we really were here first.

assimilation into the Hellenist empire miraculously won, drove out the Greek soldiers and rededicated the Temple. We continue to celebrate their victory, even now, even here. But what, exactly, is the point?


To celebrate Chanukah is the ultimate in political incorrectness. Just count the ways in which it transgresses:


1. It takes place in Jewish Israel, when not only was there no concept of an Arab Palestine, there was no physical Palestinian in existence and no identifiably Arab people within its borders. Yes, we really were here first.


2. It celebrates the dedication of our Jewish Holy Temple. Yes, our Temple existed in reality, despite spurious claims to the contrary by the Islamic Wakf of Jerusalem.


3. It focuses on the recapture of the Holy Temple - the whole thing. Note that the Maccabees did not consider the outer retaining wall to be sufficient as the "holiest site" of the Jews.


4. It commemorates the religious re-dedication of the Temple to the service of God - just praying there was not enough, not even if we were allowed to move our lips.


5. It acknowledges that God intervenes in the affairs of Jews. The weak can prevail over the strong, the few over the many, and the religious scholars over the trained soldiers. Yes, miracles really do happen.


6. It teaches the value of doing the right thing, even when it isn't politically correct - and even when it is dangerous to do so.


7. It takes place against the backdrop of a Jewish civil war. Moreover, in that fight, God really did favor religious Jews over assimilationists and secularists.


The history recounted here is available from many sources; the Book of the Maccabees can be found in many Jewish liturgical books. It is not "incitement" to tell our history, anymore than lighting a menorah is a call for violence or revolution. But it should give us all something to think about.


Why do we celebrate Chanukah the way we do? Why did our rabbis put the focus of our commemoration on oil and light, rather than on battles fought and won? In essence, the lighting of the Menorah, and our lighting of our menorahs, symbolizes more than a willingness to do what God asks of us. It also symbolizes the conscious decision to do the right thing even if the future looks bleak, even if success looks impossible to achieve.

It is not 'incitement' to tell our history.



Just as there weren't enough religious Jews to prevail against the Hellenists without miracles, there really wasn't enough suitable oil for the Menorah when it was lit. Everyone "knew" the oil would run out and the light would burn out before more oil could be prepared and brought. It would have been prudent to postpone the rededication until after the oil supply was replenished. But the Maccabees decided it didn't matter. If the obligation was to light the Menorah, and right now it was possible to do so, then it should be lit right now. By miraculously keeping the light going for the eight days it took to replenish the oil, God was signaling that this had been the right decision. By commemorating that miracle at Chanukah, our rabbis were signaling us, too.


Tonight we will light our menorahs. We will honor our continuing obligation to be "a light to the nations." We will rededicate ourselves: to fight for authentic Jewish values, to spread Jewish education, to expand Jewish freedom to serve God as Jews in His land, and someday soon, on His holy mountain and in His Temple.


Enjoy the freedom to show your lights, express your Jewish self, and revel in our political incorrectness. May our lights shine forth ever brighter.