THE TALMUDIC DEBATE
Almost everyone knows that we light one more candle every day. It is perhaps less known, however, that this is not at all clear. At that time, Rabbi Hillel's opinion prevailed, and so we only know that his opponent, Rabbi Shammai, thought differently, because we Jews retain dissent.
Rabbi Shammai believed, that on the first day we should be lighting eight candles and each following night one less since the oil became less-and-less.
Rabbi Hillel’s counterargument to this was that each day the miracle was greater and greater.
Later generations chose the more spiritual answer of Rabbi Hillel over the pragmatic answer of Rabbi Shammai. One question, however, remained:
What should we be celebrating the first night?
(Since the oil enough for one night was indeed enough, no?)
CHANUKAH AND WOMEN
The Talmud specifically points out that while the flames of the Chanukkiah are burning, work is forbidden and this is also the case for women. Why? Because women also played an important role in the victory of the Maccabean uprising. We know of two Chanukah-related stories in which we can hear about special.
The first such story is that of Judith and Holofernes.
This story, like the Book of Maccabees I.-II., was not included in the Jewish scriptures, it is not found in the Torah, nor the Tanach, but we can find it in the Christian writings, the apocryphal.
The story is about a beautiful Jewish woman who, by herself, saved the town of Bethulia during the Hasmonean uprising. The protagonists are Judith and Holofernes. Holofernes, the commander of the Greek army, surrounds the city with his troops. Judith visits her with cheese and wine. She offers him a variety of delicious, which makes Holofernes very thirsty and he pours a lot of wine down his throat. As a result, he falls asleep quickly. At this point, Judith pulls out her knife and cuts off his head. When the Greek soldiers see that the Jewish insurgents have pinned Holofernes' bleeding head on their swords, they run away.
QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE FESTIVAL
THOUGHT PROVOKING QUESTIONS FOR THE BRAVE
Chanukah raises a lot of questions for us Jews in modern times. As you admire the light of the candle flame and munch on the donut, you can also ponder, argue, and think about these questions:
The Maccabees fought for Judaism, for their identity, and they even risked their lives. Thus, it is a militant holiday with a lot of weapons, blood, and sacrifices. How reconciled are you with this? Is it easier to just talk about the miracles than it was for the Rabbis at the time?
What does heroism mean to you today?
How would you explain the meaning of a miracle? Are there miracles in our day and age? The miracle of the oil only entered the festive story at a later stage. Why do you think that was?
The Maccabees fought for Judaism. What does Judaism mean to you today?
Many Jews at the time became increasingly Hellenistic and took on Greek traditions while distancing themselves from Judaism. Where do you draw the line as a Jew? What are those traditions and customs that you could never let go of?
With each passing day of Chanukah, the light becomes greater and greater. What is needed in today’s World to ensure a greater and greater light?
Playing with a dreidel is lots of fun. However, with its constant spinning it can also be understood as a symbol. What do you think it symbolizes?
The Maccabees also fought against the Jews who took up Greek traditions. In your opinion, to what extent is there polarization amongst the Jewish communities? What would be needed for unity?
In The One With the Holiday Armadillo episode of Friends Ross really wants to convince Ben, his son, to celebrate Chanukah instead of Christmas that year. It’s going very hard because Ben, whose dad is Jewish but his mom isn’t, wants Christmas and Santa Claus. Do you find it difficult to enjoy and advertise Chanukah in the midst of the lead-up to Christmas If so, why? What methods do you have to ensure that Chanukah is at the center?
CHANUKAH AROUND THE WORLD
PERSIA
On the last night of the holiday, the father brought a large tray of hazelnuts, walnuts, and toasted nuts which the children collected with their hands and took with themselves the next day to the cheder (Jewish elementary school) to eat them there.
ALEPPO, SYRIA
The Jews of Aleppo were Sephardic, their predecessors lived in Spain until their expulsion. Every evening, two shamash candles are lit. The origin of this tradition, according to some sources, is that their ancestors were expelled from Spain in July 1492 and migrated for months before finally finding refuge in Syria. When they found a home there, they swore that an extra flame would be lit on Chanukah out of gratitude to the Eternal.
TUNISIA
The Chanukkiah was hung on the door post, opposite the mezuzah, and remained there until the feast of Purim. The oil and wick were made by mothers and grandmothers. Under the Chanukkiah, one could find a sheet of paper with the blessings on it. Rosh Chodesh of the month of Tevet was the New Moon of Girls, on which the girls received gifts from their parents.
YEMEN
In Yemen, every child received a coin for Chanukah with which they bought a small packet of sugar and a pinch of red coloring powder. From the sugar the and powder they made a small bottle of a sweet red drink which they called the Chanukah drink. Mothers made special Chanukah delicacies from peas and lentils.
ADEN
In Aden, both children and adults wore special blue clothes sewn for the occasion. The Chanukkiahs were lit by all families at the same time, upon returning home from the afternoon prayer, thereby giving the city a special festive atmosphere with its many burning candles. Returning from the synagogue they also lit fireworks and candles.
NORTH-AFRICA
In some North African communities, women and girls went into the synagogue, took out the Torah Scrolls, and kissed them one after the other. The rabbi extended his hands over all women and girls and blessed them with the following blessing:
"He, the Eternal, who blessed our ancestors Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, may He bless you ..."
HEBRON
Special games were played here on the holidays. One looked like this: Bran, ash, and a little salt were sprinkled into a large tub. They poured in some cognac, mixed it well together and set it on fire. All lights were turned off so every face glowed white! Then the singing began accompanied by hand gestures and shouting.
In addition, food was collected for the schoolchildren in which the children also participated. The collecting began on the first day of Chanukah and the children, pretending to be Maccabean soldiers, played with mini toy guns, sang and persuaded the women of the household’s to give them all sorts of goodies for the celebration.
CHAIM POTOK: MIRACLES FOR A BROKEN PLANET (EXCERPT)
“I wanted a miracle. But there were no miracles during that Chanukah. Where was God? I kept dreaming of burning synagogues.
On the eighth and final night of the festival I stood with my parents in front of the burning candles. The darkness mocked their light. I could see my parents glancing at me. My mother sighed. Then my father murmured my name.
"You want another miracle?" he asked wearily.
I did not respond.
"Yes," he said. "You want another miracle." He was silent a moment. Then he said, in a gentle, urging voice, "I also want another miracle. But if it does not come, we will make a human miracle. We will give the world the special gifts of our Jewishness. We will not let the world burn out our souls." The candles glowed feebly against the dark window.
"Sometimes I think man is a greater miracle-maker than God," my father said tiredly, looking at the candles. "God does not have to live day after day on this broken planet. Perhaps you will learn to make your own miracles. I will try to teach you how to make human miracles."
I lay awake a long time that night and did not believe my father could ever teach me that. But now, decades later, I think he taught me well. And I am trying hard to teach it to my own children.”