The Lighting of the Menorah is a Victory of Hope and Resilience Over Darkness.

The Hellenistic attempts to eliminate Jewish rituals under Antiochus IV Epiphanes were characterized by a systematic and multifaceted approach aimed at eradicating Jewish religious practices and imposing Greek cultural norms. These actions not only sought to unify the empire under a single cultural identity but also inadvertently galvanized Jewish resistance and reinforced a strong sense of communal and religious identity. The legacy of this period, marked by the successful Maccabean Revolt and the enduring celebration of Hanukkah, underscores the profound impact of cultural and religious suppression on shaping the resilience and continuity of the Jewish people. But Midrash and Talmud focus exclusively on the lighting of the menorah. The Gemara asks: What is Hanukkah, and why are lights kindled on Hanukkah? The Gemara answers: The Sages taught in Megillat Ta’anit:

דְּלָא לְמִסְפַּד בְּהוֹן וּדְלָא לְהִתְעַנּוֹת בְּהוֹן. שֶׁכְּשֶׁנִּכְנְסוּ יְוָוֽנִים לַהֵיכָל טִמְּאוּ כׇּל הַשְּׁמָנִים שֶׁבַּהֵיכָל. וּכְשֶׁגָּבְרָה מַלְכוּת בֵּית חַשְׁמוֹנַאי וְנִצְּחוּם, בָּדְקוּ וְלֹא מָצְאוּ אֶלָּא פַּךְ אֶחָד שֶׁל שֶׁמֶן שֶׁהָיָה מוּנָּח בְּחוֹתָמוֹ שֶׁל כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל, וְלֹא הָיָה בּוֹ אֶלָּא לְהַדְלִיק יוֹם אֶחָד. נַעֲשָׂה בּוֹ נֵס וְהִדְלִיקוּ מִמֶּנּוּ שְׁמוֹנָה יָמִים. לְשָׁנָה אַחֶרֶת קְבָעוּם וַעֲשָׂאוּם יָמִים טוֹבִים בְּהַלֵּל וְהוֹדָאָה.

“On the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the days of Hanukkah are eight. One may not eulogize on them and one may not fast on them. What is the reason? When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary they defiled all the oils that were in the Sanctuary by touching them. And when the Hasmonean monarchy overcame them and emerged victorious over them, they searched and found only one cruse of oil that was placed with the seal of the High Priest, undisturbed by the Greeks. And there was sufficient oil there to light the candelabrum for only one day. A miracle occurred and they lit the candelabrum from it for eight days. The next year the Sages instituted those days and made them holidays with the recitation of Hallel and special thanksgiving in prayer and blessings”.

An act of defiance followed by an act of dedication. One single act leads to an additional seven days of light. “ It is not that I need them, but rather, it is so that you illuminate for Me just as I illuminated for you. Why? It is to elevate you before all the nations, so that they will say: ‘Israel illuminates for the One who illuminates for all.’” Shemot Rabbah 36:2.

Hanukkah: Restoration of the Temple as a Starting Point, Not Complete Redemption

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean revolt. This event symbolizes a significant religious restoration and resistance against Hellenistic influences. Hanukkah is viewed as a foundational moment. It represents the rekindling of Jewish worship and identity but does not encapsulate the broader themes of complete salvation or messianic fulfillment.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes is infamously remembered for his aggressive policies aimed at eradicating Jewish religious practices and enforcing Hellenistic norms. His actions were driven by a desire to unify his empire under a single cultural and religious framework, thereby strengthening his rule.

Prominent Jewish leaders who resisted Hellenistic policies were persecuted, exiled, or executed, creating a climate of fear and discouraging organized opposition.

And yet rather than focus on martyrdom, lighting the menorah on Hanukkah focuses on re-dedication.

The aggressive Hellenization policies of Antiochus IV Epiphanes had profound and devastating effects on Jewish society: To be sure, there were those Jews who embraced the abandonment of Jewish rituals and stood in solidarity with the forces that wanted to replace Jewish existence with a universalistic and amoral ideology

And yet, the intense persecution and resistance efforts solidified Jewish identity and commitment to religious traditions. The memory of the Maccabean Revolt became a powerful symbol of resilience and faith. It created a wave of resistance and led the Jewish people to wage war for their national identity shaped by God and tradition.

It sustained a Zionist spirit and provided a template of Jewish solidarity and strength. Indeed, the lighting of the menorah was the inspiration for the seal of the new state of Israel.

In the heart of the newly established State of Israel, a quest began to create an emblem that would embody the identity, history, and aspirations of the Jewish people. It was 1949, and a design competition was announced, inviting artists and citizens to submit their vision for the nation’s symbol.

From across the country, submissions poured in, each reflecting the diversity of thought and artistry within the community. After much deliberation, a design inspired by the ancient Menorah—a seven-branched candelabrum described in the Torah—was chosen as the centerpiece of the emblem. The Menorah had long symbolized enlightenment, faith, and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.

To frame the Menorah, two olive branches were added, signifying peace and hope. At the base, the word “ישראל” (Israel) was inscribed in bold Hebrew letters, grounding the symbol in the land and the people it represented.

This emblem was more than just a design; it was a bridge connecting the ancient past to a hopeful future. It stood as a reminder of the resilience of the Jewish people and their dream of sovereignty and peace. And so, the State of Israel’s emblem came to life, representing not just a country, but a story of survival, unity, and the eternal flame of hope.

In our time, the persecution of Jews has led to a similar rededication. Across the world, most Jews have gone to war against their enemies which includes anti-Zionist Jews. It has sparked a return to religious texts and traditions. It has inspired the creation and preservation of Jewish nationhood ensuring the continuity of traditions despite external pressures.

The menorah's increasing illumination over Hanukkah is, as the rabbis intended, small, individual actions of light and justice that collectively dismantle darkness and tyranny. Lighting candles on Hanukkah is not simply a celebration of a historical miracle. Each flame joins with others, becoming a powerful expression of the collective human spirit. Lighting the Hanukkah menorah was and always shall be, a victory of hope and resilience against the darkness, a victory that leads to the restoration and continuation of the Jewish state.