Rabbi's Messages

Be the Miracle

on Sunday, 22 November 2015.

We regret to inform you that there is no Chanukah miracle.

Well...sort of.

The earliest account of the events associated with Chanukah come from the book of Maccabees. It tells of the persecution by the emperor Antiochus IV, and the Jewish revolt against his mighty Syrian-Greek Empire. It tells of the long, hard-fought war, the brutal conditions of those who participated, the infighting and angst felt by Jews who were unsure of whether the path of rebellion would lead to oblivion. And it tells of the military genius of the general Judah – known as “The Maccabee” – who orchestrated the unlikely victory of the Jewish forces.

It does NOT tell of the “Miracle of the Oil.”

The story that we now most closely associate with Chanukah – the tale of the Maccabees rekindling the Eternal Light in the Jerusalem Temple – comes from the Talmud and was written some 5 centuries after the Maccabean revolt. It seems that at some point in history, the Rabbis wanted to downplay the militarism of the original story and to amplify God’s role in the victory. The narrative of the oil that lasted for 8 days infuses a genuine, God-given miracle into the story of Chanukah...and gives us a reason to light candles during this cold, dark time of year.

And yet, there is something compelling about the original story. About the idea that the “miracle” of Chanukah isn’t found only in the supernatural – in God’s oil conservation skills. It’s also found in the actions and attitudes of the people who choose to make a difference in the world. Mattathius, who stood for Jewish sovereignty at risk of his own life. Judah, who believed he could win the war even when he was outnumbered and overpowered. The soldiers and peasants and townspeople who lent their abilities and their energies – and sometimes gave their lives – for a cause that mattered.

In the real world, we can’t rely on God for miracles. We have to make them ourselves.

The Chanukah season affords many opportunities to “be the miracle.” It reminds us that we are responsible to bring light into a cold world. We must build supportive communities. We must feed those who are hungry. We must give of our time and our resources to repair our world.

I encourage you, during this Chanukah season, to think about how you can make the world a little bit better place. You might think about volunteering for Out of the Cold or participating in our Tzedakah book drive on December 12. You might consider giving a few hours, or making a donation to a cause that matters to you. You could bring a few cans of food when you come to shul this month.

A few small miracles can bring a lot of light into the world.

Chag Urim Sameach – A Festive and light-filled holiday to all,
Rabbi Micah Streiffer