Hanukkah started tonight; so, I thought I would share a thought or two about it.

Why did the sages make Hanukkah a holiday?

The obvious answer is the two miracles:  defeating the Greeks and the oil lasting 8 days.  However, we have had other miracles like these that the sages did not turn into holidays:  Joshua stopping the sun and the defeat of Cicero two name just two.  So why did the sages make a holiday of Hanukkah?

The answer to this I think can be found in the words of the blessings we say when we light the candles, and in the added part of the shmonei esrai (the 18 prayers said standing by orthodox Jews three times a day).  When we light the candles, we say, “In our time,” and in the shmonei esrai we say, “Like today.”  Just like during Pesach (Passover) when we experience the redemption personally, today, just like on Shavuot (Pentecost) when we experience the receiving of the Torah in the moment, so to on Hanukkah, we are to experience for ourselves, right now, that we have defeated the Greeks, have cleaned and rededicated the temple, and as we light and watch our candles burn, we are to feel the awe of the oil in the menorah lasting not one day, but 8 days.

How are we to do this?  The answer to this question is that there is a third miracle to Hanukkah:  The Maccabees and their followers willingness to trust in haShem (God) so much that they became the vessels for the miracles to manifest through them.  Without that belief, there would have been nobody to fight the Greeks and nobody to find and light the oil.

So, Hanukkah is really about putting your trust in haShem, trusting that he will, through you, defeat what common sense says is unbeatable.  It is about believing that even though you don’t feel you have enough holy energy, you are going to do what you need to do and that haShem will somehow provide.  And then it is watching as haShem helps you defeat the unbeatable, and somehow your light never gets extinguished.  The money shows up, or the food, or the clothing, or the strength, or the inspiration, or the friend, or the teacher, whatever it is you need.

If we can do this, then we will become the Maccabees, trusting in haShem so much that we can defeat our personal “Greek” oppressors, and our candles will no longer be candles, but the holy lights fueled by the oil of miracles.

May all of us  have so much trust and faith in haShem, that her miracles can flow through us each and everyday, from today and for every day of our lives.

PS.  I know we have parties and latkes and dreidles on Hanukkah.  However, on at least one night, try this 40 minute meditation:  light the candles, say the blessings, then sit and watch them burn, and while you watch them burn consider all the miracles that have taken place in your life, up to and including the miracle of how your parents met.  Also think about the miracles of the Maccabees defeating the Greek army and the miracle of the oil lasting.  Then think of the miracles in your life.  At first, it might be hard to sit still and just stare at candles.  I have found that by the time they burn down, I am sitting and calm and amazed at how good I feel.  Do this for 8 days, and I bet you will feel like doing it every day!  And if you want, share your reactions below.  Happy Hanukkah

About the Author

Shmuel Shalom Cohen spent 10 years studying Torah in Jerusalem. Six years ago, he started Conscious Torah to help Jews connect to their tradition in ways they didn’t think possible. Shmuel also started, and is the executive directory of Jewish Events Willamette-valley, a non-profit whose mission is to build Jewish community, pride, and learning. In his free time, Shmuel likes walks in nature, playing music, writing poetry, and time with good friends.