Roni
v’simchi bat Tziyon ki hi’n’ni-va v’shachanti b’tokheikh n’um A’donai.
Sing and be joyful, daughter of Zion, for I come, and I will dwell
amidst you, said A’donai. (Zekhariah 2:14)
The holiday of
Hanukah celebrates the military victory of Israel, led by the Maccabees, over
the invading power of the Assyrians. A miraculous feat in itself, it is made
more miraculous by the story of the single flask of pure oil lasting eight
days.
In modern
times, the celebration of Hanukah has shifted from this nationalistic focus to
one celebrating religious freedom. The Maccabees fought for our right to
practice Judaism as we wished, and not to assimilate.
Rabbi David
Hartman, founder of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, taught that we
need to return to our nationalistic roots. According to Rabbi Hartman (as
shared with me by Rabbi Lionel Moses of Shaare Zion Congregation, Montreal) the
celebration of Hanukah is a Zionist statement. It is a public affirmation of
our right as a nation to exist, and for Jews to live and practice on the world
stage. After all, it is a celebration of a military victory, one which
solidified our right to national independence. We place our hanukiyot in our windows,
proclaiming this victory, and therefore this right, to the world.
In the words of
Mi Yimalel, “Uvyameinu kol am Yisrael, yitached yakum vayigael; but now all Israel must as one arise, redeem
itself through deed and sacrifice.” With our celebration of Hanukah, let’s
focus, with song and celebration, our hearts, minds, and actions towards
Israel, our people and our land.
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