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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