Don’t Let the Light Go Out

From one of the most popular Hanukah songs, that line resonates into modernity. About 168 years BCE, our ancestors were under attack by a group of people called the Seleucids under the leadership of Antiochus IV. In his desire for power and his concern about the Israelites perhaps aligning themselves with his enemy, the Ptolemies in Egypt, Antiochus wanted to force the Israelites to assimilate into Greek culture. He did that by outlawing Jewish traditions, such as honouring the Shabbat, the study of Hebrew, keeping the laws of kashrut and the circumcision on the eighth day of our sons. He was a powerful leader, and he had a well-equipped army. But most of the Israelites did not want to give up their identity, their covenant with God, and for some three years they waged a guerilla war against the Seleucids.

By about 165 BCE, the war had subsided, and there was a cessation of battle and calmness pervaded. Our ancestors could at last return to the Temple , which still stood at that point; however, during the time of war, they had not been able to go to the temple, and when they did return, they found it to be in complete disarray, having been desecrated by the Seleucid forces. Pigs’ blood had been sprayed all over the walls. Our Holy books have been destroyed, and of course, the oil, the eternal flame, was no longer lit, and since we are commanded to keep a light burning over the ark of the covenant, there had to be an effort to get more pure oil to keep burning . One small vial of oil was found, and this they thought could burn for perhaps one day. We read the story of the war in the first and second book of Maccabees, which is in a part of the Bible called the Apocrypha. But the miraculous story of the oil does not appear until some 500 years after the war, in the Talmud. There the Rabbis, in analyzing that story, see another lesson from those dark days. They write that that the one pure vial of oil found, miraculously burned not just for one day, but for eight days, and we are commanded to remember this miracle of the oil each year, at this time, for eight nights, by lighting our Hanukiot!

This is the beautiful story we share with our children. Each family member, having each a Hanukiah and lighting an additional candle each night, near a window, so it is visible for all to see. It’s a story that captures our imagination. And it is possibility true, but that is not mentioned in the first and second book of the Maccabees, books that were written very close to the actual events.

There we do read about the battle events, and we are told to keep the oil burning for eight days, but for a different reason.

We read that the light had to be kept burning for eight days because we had, during the long war, missed the holiday of Sukkot, which is a major Yom Tov and it’s an eight-day holiday. In remembrance of the holiday that the Israelites could not celebrate at the designated time because of the fighting, our ancestors were commanded to light the oil for eight days.

Now we can believe in two miracles. The oil burning for eight days being one. And the miracle of Jewish survival being the other! We survived! We were tempted by the Hellenizers (those who were willing to give up their Jewish identity) to assimilate, We were threatened, outnumbered and “out-armed,” We remained dedicated to our Jewish identity and to those commandments that we felt affirmed our covenant, our Brit, with God. The light is still burning!

Solel is keeping the light aflame and two recent events show how dedicated we are! In this most difficult time, a time when antisemitism is at, perhaps, its highest since the 30’s and 40’s, we are keeping the light burning! Once again, Solel had the most amazing “Invite Your Neighbour Service.” Our sanctuary was filled with members of our community, religious leaders, and our friends who were able to see that the light is burning bright at our Jewish home west of Toronto. Solelniks proudly showed their dedication to their Jewish identity. There was an amazing feeling of warmth that evening. It was a memorable night!

Another community event took place on November 22 when we hosted a Hanukah market in support of Israeli shopkeepers. I’m thrilled to say that our synagogue had more sales than a large synagogue in Toronto. More important than the sales are the number of people who came and said “I’m getting ready for Hanukah. I want to support Israeli shopkeepers that are suffering, and I’m comfortable and proud to identify as a Jew.” Some 168 years BCE, it looked rather dim and dark as the shadow of an enemy, the Seleucids, hovered over us. Today, as well, there is an enemy shadow hovering over us, but we’re keeping the light burning. We have nothing to be ashamed of, as Jews in covenant with God. Yes, we have to be cautious. We have to be aware, but we also have to be proud of our Jewish identity and our covenant with God. Do not let the light go out!

Join us for our Hanukah celebrations on December 19 at 7 PM, our songfest service- Zimriyah-, and on Sunday, December 21 at noon for our party with face painters, caricature artists, balloon maker, pizza, latkes and sufganiot! We will make sure we all keep the light burning brightly. Chag Hanukah Sameach

Filed under: Educator's Message

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