The word Hanukkah means 'dedication' and celebrates one of the greatest miracles in the Jewish history. The festival reminds of a time over 2,000 years ago, when the Jews fought against the Greeks in order to practice their religion in a free way again.
The Greeks had banned all Jewish rituals. King Antiochus tried to make Jews bow down in front of a statue that had been put in the Temple of Jerusalem. He also tried to make them pray to Greek gods. The Hasmonean dynasty fought against this foreign political and religious oppression. After gathering a large number of rebels and leading a three-year war, they won. However, the Jerusalem Temple needed to be purified and re-dedicated to God of Israel. Once it had been cleansed it was discovered that there was only enough oil make the central lampstand/ menorah burn for only one day but miraculously it burned for eight days. Eight days was the time needed for making some new and ritually pure oil.
According to Rabbi Nosson Scherman the fact that the struggle was climaxed with the miracle of the oil and that God chose to stamp His salvation with a miracle of light was a proof to the leaders of Israel that their struggle was more than a fight for self-respect and freedom. They have been waging the war of light against darkness and bringing about the fulfillment of God’s command: “Let there be light!” (Gn 1,3).
Almost throughout its entire existence, Israel was militarily and politically weak but spiritually and intellectually it thrived because the fuel for its light was given by God. Even if it took up arms, its triumph was put in perspective by the miracle of a menorah/ a lampstand whose oil gave light even after it should have been consumed. This reminds us of God’s powerful words: “Neither through might nor through power, but through my spirit.” – Zech 4, 6. Hannukah symbolises also the ultimate salvation. The special lampstand (Hannukiah) is lit at the doorway or on the window sill for everyone to see and remember the miracle but also to know that this festival is symbolically the door or the beginning of the ultimate redemption.
Upon lighting the candles during the feast of Hannukah our Jewish brothers and sisters remember and are grateful for the triumph of God’s light over darkness and over hostile forces trying not only to destroy them but also annihilate their belief in one true God. May we too, upon remembering this story, thank God for allowing us to be guided by the Divine wisdom symbolised by the miracle of the light. May His light always illuminate our road to the final redemption and may it always be our inner strength and victory.
About the author:
Sr Eliana Kurylo, CB – a linguist and a translator by education, she is also a tutor of biblical Hebrew at the Biblical Institute of Toulouse. Leading Bible workshops, she worked for many years as a student chaplain in New Zealand and Toulouse, France. She has been involved in Jewish-Christian dialogue for many years. She is currently the superior of the sisters at the Community of the Beatitudes in Emmaus-Nicopolis, Israel.