Chanukah – the struggle for preserving Jewish Identity

First light of the Chanukiah is lit at Zion Square in Jerusalem

For maybe the greatest conqueror of all, Alexander the Great, a conquest was not only military, but cultural. The result is what we call Hellenism. And Hellenism, the spread of Greek culture with their worldview, idol worship, architecture, theaters, sport arenas, and intellectual institutions, affected also Israel. The Jewish historian from the first century AD, Josephus, tells us that even in Jerusalem there was a theater and sports arena – in complete opposition to Jewish traditions.

When the followers of Alexander the Great decided to forbid Jewish religious practices, the priest Matthatias from Modi’in (not far from ben Gurion Airport today), said “maspik” – “enough”! His son, Judah the Maccabee then led a revolt that liberated Judea, and then the rest of the land, from their Greek overlords. This was in the year 167 BC.

After conquering Jerusalem, they had to rededicate the Temple that had been desecrated by the Greeks – and their Jewish collaborators. In Hebrew, the word for dedication is Chanukah.

Making the special oil for the menorah took eight days, and the oil they had was enough only for one day. But miraculously, it lasted eight days – so we have the Chanukkiah – the nine-armed candelabra of which only eight count. The last arm is “the servant”, used to light all the others. Every day during Chanukah, Jews light one more candle until the entire Chanukkiah is lit.

In religious homes, where they often have many children, each person has their own Chanukkiah. According to a commandment in Judaism, the Chanukkiah must be placed so that it is visible for others. Walking through the religious neighborhoods of Mea Shearim or Geula in Jerusalem during Chanukah is therefore an experience.  

Chanukkiot placed at the entrance of the house for all to see - according to the commandment

There is a saying that most Jewish holidays can be summarized like this: “They tried to kill us – We won – Let’s eat!” Chanukah is no exception. Since oil for the Menorah is a central part of the Chanukah story, it is a tradition to eat food that has been made in oil. On top of the list is “sufganiot” – a donut dipped in oil and filled with jelly, chocolate, or other delicious tastes that they put into it these days.

In modern times, cultures often coexist, and there is a s a twist of irony in how Jews in the US celebrate Chanukah – which fall around the same time as Christmas; in some Jewish homes one can nowadays find “the Chanukah bush.” Matthatias would probably be pulling his hear if he knew how a foreign tradition had entered Jewish homes. But to be honest, a Chanukah bush is rather innocent compared to what Matthatias was facing.

Chanukah represents the Jewish people’s struggle to remain Jews, to remain “a people dwelling alone, not reckoning itself among the nations” (Num. 23:9). It represents their refusal to conform to the demands of others. Preserving identity; cultural, national or individual, has in our days come under attack. But there is nothing wrong in preserving identity – Where identity gets exclusivist, that is when it is wrong.

In spite of the fact that some Jews have adopted “the ways of the nations”, Israel still remains different – thankfully so! Chanukah is an annual reminder that this is how it should be.