What
is the real meaning of Hanukkah? Hanukkah has two different “real meanings”
which compete for our attention. We can see this competition in the
descriptions of HanukKah offered in two well-known Hanukkah songs. Maoz Tzur
and Mi Yimalail present contradictory explanations of Hanukkah.
Maoz
Tzur which describes God saving us,
emphasizes the rededication of the Temple, Chanukat HaMizbei’ach.
The Hebrew version of the song does not mention the military struggle or the
Maccabees.
Mi
Yimalail describes heroes saving us.
It emphasizes the victory of the Jews over the oppressing enemy. It says, “In
every age a hero or sage comes to our aid.” It contains no mention of God or of
the rededication of Temple.
The
contrast between these two songs expresses an ongoing debate in our tradition
over the meaning of Hanukkah. In our time we may not be aware of this battle.
But it has been going on for centuries.
It
began in the ancient world. The Rabbis were in conflict with the Hasmoneans.
After their victory, the Maccabees installed themselves as the rulers.
Beginning with Jonathon, Judah’s brother, they created what is known as the
Hasmonean dynasty. They became the High Priests with political and religious
authority.
The
rabbis viewed the Hasmonean claim to the position of High Priest as
illegitimate. And the Rabbis believed that these Hasmonean High Priests misused
their power. They became corrupt and too concerned with maintaining power and
acquiring wealth. The rabbis did not want to honor the Hasmonean rulers or draw
attention to the victories of the founders of the dynasty.
In
addition the rabbis wished to distant themselves from the zealots of their own
who had led a disastrous rebellion against the Romans.
The
rabbis’ view of Hanukkah can be seen in the contrast between how they handle
Hanukkah and Purim the other late Jewish Holiday.
In
our minds Hanukkah and Purim have similar status. But the rabbis treat them
differently. Purim is discussed in detail in the Mishnah. But Hanukkah
is not even mentioned in the Mishnah. The Book of Esther is included in
the Tanach, the Hebrew Bible but The Book of the Maccabees are not in
the Tanach.
The
attitude of the rabbis toward the Maccabees can be seen in the Haftarah
they selected for the Shabbat of Hanukkah. Did they pick a section in praise of
the struggle of the Maccabees? Maybe something from Joshua concerning the
conquest of the land?
Or
maybe stories from Judges like Gideon or Samson? No the rabbis pick a section
containing the most anti-war line in the prophets.
In
the Haftarah for Hanukah the prophet Zachariah declares, “Not by might,
not by power, but by my spirit.”
I
believe that the ancient rabbis really wanted to eliminate Hanukkah altogether.
But because of the attachment of the people to the holiday, the Rabbis
concluded that they could not get rid of Hanukkah so they transformed it.
The Gemora
does mention Hanukkah. The military victory is given short shrift. The emphasis
is on the rededication of the Temple. The rabbis tell the story of the miracle
of the oil which is not mentioned in the Books of Maccabees.
In
our time there has been a return to identification with the Maccabees. Zionism
and the Rise of the Jewish State have created a greater connection to the ideas
of Jewish self reliance, self-defense and strength typified by the Maccabees.
The images of the Maccabees are often used in Israeli popular culture. Army
units use terms from the Maccabees. Sports clubs have made use of the Maccabee
name.
Israel’s
leading Basketball team is Maccabi Tel Aviv. International sports competition
for Jews are called Maccabiah. In Israel today you can order a “Maccabee.” It
comes in bottles or cans.
So
for us today, what is the central moment that Hanukkah commemorates? Do I sing Maoz
Tzur celebrating the rededication of the temple? Or do I sing Mi
Yimalail, celebrating the victory of the Maaccabees? I sing both songs.
In
our time we need the strength of the Maccabees. Again the world seems hostile
to Jews. We are under attack around the world. Jews in Europe feel the
pressure. We need to be strong. In our time we need the holiness of the moment
of rededication to give our lives a sense of purpose and meaning. Hanukkah can
be a holiday of strength and Holiness.
As
we light the candles of Hanukkah to recall the strength of the Macabbees, let
us commit ourselves to strengthening the Jewish people. As we light the candles
of Hanukkah to recall the rededication of the Temple let us rededicate
ourselves to leading lives of holiness.
