Cantor’s Message for Chanukah 5785/2024
Dearest friends,
Most of us will know the origins of the holiday of Chanukah: in the 2nd century BCE, at the time of the Maccabean Revolt, the Seleucid Greeks sacked and desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem. When the fighting stopped on the 25 th day of the month of Kislev, the Temple was rededicated; but it was discovered that there was only one day’s supply of pure oil with which to light the Menorah. By a miracle (according to the Talmud), this oil lasted for eight days, which gave enough time to produce a new
supply.
I’ve been at the Rambam again (still my go-to Jewish scholar), and have been studying his interpretation of the importance of Chanukah. In his text Mishneh Torah, chapters 3 and 4, he confirms that lighting the Chanukiah is precious, and that the mitzvah is more essential than many others. But he then says something rather surprising: if a poor person has to choose between oil for a house lamp on Shabbat and a Chanukah lamp, or between oil for a house lamp on Shabbat and wine for Kiddush, the house lamp should have priority, for the sake of peace in the household. The Rambam then adds: ‘Great indeed is peace, forasmuch as the purpose for which the whole Torah was given is to bring peace upon the world, as it is said in Proverbs, Its ways are the ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.
It’s a strange way to end a discussion, by using the Chanukah candles as a foil to highlight the importance of keeping the house lights burning on Shabbat, so that the inhabitants can see; but the point is that a dark dwelling would disrupt the peace, and cause strife within a family. So to avoid such discord, we do all that’s in our power to maintain peace. It’s customary on Chanukah to have gatherings of family and friends; it’s a time to lay aside friction, quarrels, dissent and recriminations, and come together to share the miraculous festival of light, in order to reconcile whatever differences we may have had during the year.
For me this is the profound meaning of Chanukah which I share with you: while its origins in the 2nd century BCE may lie in a revolt against our enemies, we should, as a matter of urgency — especially given all the strife both at home and abroad — strive for peace and reconciliation.
I wish you all a very happy and peaceful Chanukah.
With love from Cantor Leon
