Friday, December 11, 2015

The Universal Lesson of Chanukah

The Halacha states that the most appropriate time to light Chanukah candles is at sunset. However if for whatever reason it is not done at sunset,  one can light Chanukah candles “until there are no more pedestrians coming back from market.” The Talmud goes on to explain that that the very last people to go home from the market were the Tarmoda’i merchants who sold small twigs to other merchants as firewood. After all of the customers went home for the day, the shopkeepers had to close up shop before making their way home. Oftentimes, after arriving home they would be informed that the house needed firewood to stay warm through the night. The shopkeepers would then have to trek back to the market, where the Tarmoda’i would be waiting to make their last sales of the day. One is allowed to light Chanukah candles so long as these Tarmoda’i have not made it home yet.

            According to Rashi, these Tarmoda’i were not Jewish. It emerges that the criteria for lighting Chanukah candles is not necessarily that Jews should see the Chanukah lights. So long as even non-Jews, such as these Tarmoda’i,  have seen the Chanukah candles, one has dispensed of his obligation to publicize the miracle of Chanukah. The question is why does it help to publicize this Jewish miracle to non-Jews?

            Rabbi Soloveitchik suggests that the struggle and victory of Chanukah is one that deserves the attention of the non-Jewish world as well. As opposed to other celebrations of victory and salvation (for example- Purim) on Chanukah there is no indication that the physical lives of the Jewish people were at risk. Rather the threat that the Maccabees encountered was an existential spiritual threat.

            To fight for one’s life is something that all people do- in fact even animal instincts dictate that an animal defends its physical existence. However in the story of Chanukah the Jews fought with similar vigor to defend their right to live Jewish lives. That is something that not everyone understands. Non-Jewish religions may not have ingrained the idea that some religious values are worth fighting for, even worth dying for. It is this aspect of the story and victory that is appropriate to publicize to all- even non-Jews.


            The notion that there are"ideals worth fighting for," or even worth dying for, has become a problematic topic, tarnished due to terrorists who justify not just dying, but killing for their ideals. As we celebrate Shabbat Chanukah let us ask ourselves: Are there values and causes for which we are willing to fight? What are they? How do we remain firm in our convictions and teach others to do so as well, while  encouraging a culture of tolerance at the same time?

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