It is a hallmark of Jewish experience that wherever we have lived, we have both contributed and adapted to the different cultures surrounding us. Indeed, over the years we have folded a variety of ideas, rituals and flavors into our own traditions. Judaism’s ability to stretch in these was means that our stories have also gone through different incarnations, with different points of emphasis depending on the needs of the times.
Chanukah, which begins this year at sundown on Wednesday December 25 (the 25th day of the month of Kislev, always!) is a good example. Whenever Jewish communities struggled in the face of oppression, remembering the military victory Chanukah celebrates – that of the few against the many – supplied us with much needed pride and hope. At other times when our concerns have centered on assimilation and related issues we face as a religious minority, we have emphasized the Maccabees’ fight for religious freedom. Meanwhile, as winter approaches and the nights grow longer, we derive comfort and peace from the holiday’s symbols of bounty and light.
And Chanukah is significant in another way. After the Maccabees’ victory, lighting of the chanukiah and re-dedication of the Temple, they went on to create their own rule. The Hasmonean dynasty that followed opposed anyone who did not go along with Temple ritual, going so far as to persecute those who went against them. Those once oppressed became the oppressors. When we pick up the weapons of the enemy, no matter how noble we believe our cause to be, we must take special care not to become like them. Difficult though this message of the Chanukah story may be to hear, it grows timelier with the years.
May we take all of Chanukah’s legacies to heart, even those that cast a shadow. And though the night can be dark indeed, may the candles reflected in our windows and the gifts in our lives lighten our hearts.
Join us for Kabbalat Shabbat services and “Chanukah Unplugged,” (an interactive Chanukah teaching) on December 20, and on December 27 (both at 7:00pm) led by members of our 8th grade Religious School class. Our Chanukah celebration continues on Sunday December 29 at 4:00pm for an afternoon of Chanukah songs, lighting the menorah and a beer & doughnut bar!
We look forward to celebrating together!
Shabbat Shalom, and a joyous Chanukah to all,
Rabbi Rebecca Gutterman
