Yes Virginia, There is a Chanukah

put on your yarmulke here comes chanukkah

adam sandler

yes virginia. there is a chanukah.

in antiquity, long before the north american colony of virginia, before the birth of the prophet mohammed and the establishment of the islamic religion, before christianity, and before the time when the holy land was re-named palestine by the romans, there was a great man who was so great that he was called alexander the great. alexander created a massive greek empire which included the levant. when alexander died in 323 bce, the empire was divided up. one of the leaders emerging from the restructure was antiochus.

antiochus established his kingdom which included judea aka israel. he went on to hellenize jerusalem and defile the holy temple.

according to the first book of macabees, antiochus wrote to his kingdom that all should be one people and that all should give up their particular customs. in doing so, there were jews who adopted the king’s religion. they, among other things, sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath.

under antiochus’ rule, biblical text were censored and destroyed, there was violence against the jewish people, and jewish mothers were put to death for circumcising their children. maccabees 1

the jewish priest mattathias was outraged his country’s hellinization. he and his sons organized a rebellion to take back their country and re-establish jewish control. “let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me” was mattathais’ rallying cry. the rebels took on the name maccabees.

hard fought battles ensued and many perished. the maccabees prevailed and retook jerusalem. under their guidance, jerusalem’s temple, which had been defiled, was rededicated. the first book of the maccabees notes that “at the very season and on the very day the gentiles had profaned it, it was dedicated with songs and harps and lutes and cymbals. all the people fell on their faces and worshiped and blessed heaven, who had prospered them. so they celebrated the dedication of the altar for eight days, and joyfully offered burnt offerings; the ordered a sacrifice of well-being and a thanksgiving offering.”

“judas (the maccabee) and his brothers and all the assembly of israel determined that every year at that season the days of dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness for eight days.” maccabees 1:5:59 thus, the seeds of the chanukah celebration were planted. rabbinical authorities would then move on to add the tradition of lighting a menorah; the menorah being the symbol of the temple.

yes virginia, long before any current middle east conflict, any conflict between judaism and islam, a people committed to their belief in one god fought to maintain their covenant with the creator and master of the universe. their victory for religious freedom is what is celebrated. certainly, all monotheistic religions, including christianity and islam, can appreciate what the maccabees accomplished. had this rebellion not succeeded, the world would be quite different.

be well!!

please “like”, follow, share & comment