Hanukkah and the Hanukkah and the CommandmentsCommandments

and why we celebrate for 8 and why we celebrate for 8 daysdays

The New York TimesThe New York Times12/11/09 – David Brooks12/11/09 – David Brooks

►Tonight Jewish kids will light the Tonight Jewish kids will light the menorah, spin their dreidels and get menorah, spin their dreidels and get their presents, but Hanukkah is the their presents, but Hanukkah is the most adult of holidays. It most adult of holidays. It commemorates an event in which the commemorates an event in which the good guys did horrible things, the bad good guys did horrible things, the bad guys did good things and in which guys did good things and in which everybody is flummoxed by insoluble everybody is flummoxed by insoluble conflicts that remain with us today. conflicts that remain with us today.

1 Maccabees ch. 21 Maccabees ch. 2► 23 There came a certain Jew in the sight of all 23 There came a certain Jew in the sight of all

to sacrifice to the idols upon the altar in the to sacrifice to the idols upon the altar in the city of Modin, according to the king's city of Modin, according to the king's commandment. 24 And Mathathias saw and commandment. 24 And Mathathias saw and was grieved, and his reins trembled, and his was grieved, and his reins trembled, and his wrath was kindled according to the judgment wrath was kindled according to the judgment of the law, and running upon him he slew him of the law, and running upon him he slew him upon the altar. 25 Moreover the man whom upon the altar. 25 Moreover the man whom king Antiochus had sent, who compelled them king Antiochus had sent, who compelled them to sacrifice, he slew at the same time, and to sacrifice, he slew at the same time, and pulled down the altar. 26 And showed zeal for pulled down the altar. 26 And showed zeal for the law, as Phinees did by Zamri the son of the law, as Phinees did by Zamri the son of Salomi.Salomi.

I Maccabees 1:11

►In those days there appeared in Israel men who were breakers of the law, and

►they seduced many people, saying: "Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us; since we separated from them, many evils have come upon us.“

►Cf. Jer 44:18

High PriestsHigh Priests

Shimon ha-Sadiq

Onias III Jason (Yehoshua) (175-171)Jason (Yehoshua) (175-171)

Meneleus (171-161)Meneleus (171-161)

Sadok

Jonathan the Hasmonean

Hellenistic PeriodHellenistic Period► 332BCE Alexander the Great conquers Palestine332BCE Alexander the Great conquers Palestine► 323BCE Alexander dies323BCE Alexander dies

Diadochi, Ptolemy in Egypt, Seleucus in SyriaDiadochi, Ptolemy in Egypt, Seleucus in Syria► 301-201BCE Ptolemaic Rule301-201BCE Ptolemaic Rule

Allowed to continue as semiautonomousAllowed to continue as semiautonomous► 201BCE Seleucid conquest of Palestine201BCE Seleucid conquest of Palestine► 175-171BCE Jason High Priest175-171BCE Jason High Priest

bribes Antiochus IV for high priesthoodbribes Antiochus IV for high priesthood builds gymnasium in Jerusalem which becomes a polis – builds gymnasium in Jerusalem which becomes a polis –

“Antioch”“Antioch”► 171-162BCE Menelaus High Priest171-162BCE Menelaus High Priest

Converts temple into pagan shrine, YHVH=Zeus=Baal ShaminConverts temple into pagan shrine, YHVH=Zeus=Baal Shamin► 168BCE – Bet haMikdash is looted, Jews are massacred168BCE – Bet haMikdash is looted, Jews are massacred► 167-166 Antiochus IV decrees persecution167-166 Antiochus IV decrees persecution► 164 Judah conquers Jerusalem and rededicates the 164 Judah conquers Jerusalem and rededicates the

TempleTemple

Why did Antiochus Persecute Why did Antiochus Persecute the Jews?the Jews?

1.1. He was crazy, nervous, eccentric.He was crazy, nervous, eccentric.May have hastened the persecution but not May have hastened the persecution but not

caused it.caused it.

2.2. He was a Great Hellenizer and unifierHe was a Great Hellenizer and unifierBut only for political ends by making But only for political ends by making poleispoleis, ,

not cultural.not cultural.

3.3. The Jewish Hellenizers asked for the The Jewish Hellenizers asked for the decrees.decrees.

4.4. Decrees result from a civil war.Decrees result from a civil war.

Why is Hanukah on Why is Hanukah on Kislev 25?Kislev 25?

Megilat Ta’anitMegilat Ta’anit

..בעשרים ושלושה במרחשון נסתר הסורג מן העזרהבעשרים ושלושה במרחשון נסתר הסורג מן העזרה►מפני שבנו שם גוים מקום, והעמידו עליו את הזונות. מפני שבנו שם גוים מקום, והעמידו עליו את הזונות.

וכשתקפה יד בית חשמונאי נטלוהו מהן, וסתרוהו, ומצאו וכשתקפה יד בית חשמונאי נטלוהו מהן, וסתרוהו, ומצאו שם אבנים טובות, ונמנו עליהן וגנזו אותן. והן מונחות עד שם אבנים טובות, ונמנו עליהן וגנזו אותן. והן מונחות עד

היום הזה, עד שיבוא אליהו ויעיד עליהן אם טמאות הן היום הזה, עד שיבוא אליהו ויעיד עליהן אם טמאות הן אם טהורות. אם טהורות.

יום שסתרוהו עשאוהו יום טוב.יום שסתרוהו עשאוהו יום טוב.

בשלושה בכסליו ניטלו הפסלים מן החצר בשלושה בכסליו ניטלו הפסלים מן החצר ►מפני שבנו שם גוים סימואתא, וכשגברה יד בית חשמונאי מפני שבנו שם גוים סימואתא, וכשגברה יד בית חשמונאי

בטלום והוציאום משם. בטלום והוציאום משם. יום שבטלום עשאוהו יום טוב.יום שבטלום עשאוהו יום טוב.

Haggai 2:18Haggai 2:18

יום ► ה; מ� ל! ע" מ! ה ו! ז# יום ה% ן-ה% ם, מ� כ# ב" ב% א ל" ימו-נ! יום ש� ה; מ� ל! ע" מ! ה ו! ז# יום ה% ן-ה% ם, מ� כ# ב" ב% א ל" ימו-נ! ש�ד ס% ר-י* ש# יום א, ן-ה% מ� י, ל" יע� ש� ת" ה ל% ע! ב! אר" ים ו" ר� ש" ד ע# ס% ר-י* ש# יום א, ן-ה% מ� י, ל" יע� ש� ת" ה ל% ע! ב! אר" ים ו" ר� ש" ע#

ה -הו! ל י" יכ% הה0 -הו! ל י" יכ% ם. ה0 כ# ב" ב% ימו ל" ם.ש� כ# ב" ב% ימו ל" ש�►Consider, I pray you, from this day and Consider, I pray you, from this day and

forward, from the four and twentieth forward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of Hashem’s day that the foundation of Hashem’s temple was laid, consider it.temple was laid, consider it.

I Maccabees 1I Maccabees 1

►     54 Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one 54 Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred forty-fifth year, they erected a desolating hundred forty-fifth year, they erected a desolating sacrilege on the altar of burnt offering. They also built sacrilege on the altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding towns of Judah, 55 and altars in the surrounding towns of Judah, 55 and offered incense at the doors of the houses and in the offered incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets. 56 The books of the law that they found they streets. 56 The books of the law that they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire. 57 Anyone found tore to pieces and burned with fire. 57 Anyone found possessing the book of the covenant, or anyone who possessing the book of the covenant, or anyone who adhered to the law, was condemned to death by adhered to the law, was condemned to death by decree of the king. 58They kept using violence against decree of the king. 58They kept using violence against Israel, against those who were found month after Israel, against those who were found month after month in the towns. 59On the twenty-fifth day of the month in the towns. 59On the twenty-fifth day of the month they offered sacrifice on the altar that was on month they offered sacrifice on the altar that was on top of the altar of burnt offering. top of the altar of burnt offering.

Winter Solstice HolidayWinter Solstice Holidayתלמוד בבלי מסכת עבודה זרה דף ח עמוד א תלמוד בבלי מסכת עבודה זרה דף ח עמוד א

גמ'. אמר רב חנן בר רבא: קלנדא - ח' ימים אחר תקופה, סטרנורא גמ'. אמר רב חנן בר רבא: קלנדא - ח' ימים אחר תקופה, סטרנורא ►- ח' ימים לפני תקופה, וסימנך: )תהלים קלט( אחור וקדם צרתני - ח' ימים לפני תקופה, וסימנך: )תהלים קלט( אחור וקדם צרתני

וגו'. וגו'. ת"ר: לפי שראה אדם הראשון יום שמתמעט והולך, אמר: אוי לי, ת"ר: לפי שראה אדם הראשון יום שמתמעט והולך, אמר: אוי לי, ►

שמא בשביל שסרחתי עולם חשוך בעדי וחוזר לתוהו ובוהו, וזו היא שמא בשביל שסרחתי עולם חשוך בעדי וחוזר לתוהו ובוהו, וזו היא מיתה שנקנסה עלי מן השמים, עמד וישב ח' ימים בתענית מיתה שנקנסה עלי מן השמים, עמד וישב ח' ימים בתענית

]ובתפלה[, כיון שראה תקופת טבת וראה יום שמאריך והולך, אמר: ]ובתפלה[, כיון שראה תקופת טבת וראה יום שמאריך והולך, אמר: מנהגו של עולם הוא, הלך ועשה שמונה ימים טובים, לשנה האחרת מנהגו של עולם הוא, הלך ועשה שמונה ימים טובים, לשנה האחרת עשאן לאלו ולאלו ימים טובים, הוא קבעם לשם שמים, והם קבעום עשאן לאלו ולאלו ימים טובים, הוא קבעם לשם שמים, והם קבעום לשם עבודת כוכבים. בשלמא למ"ד: בתשרי נברא העולם, יומי זוטי לשם עבודת כוכבים. בשלמא למ"ד: בתשרי נברא העולם, יומי זוטי חזא, יומי אריכי אכתי לא חזא; אלא למ"ד: בניסן נברא העולם, הא חזא, יומי אריכי אכתי לא חזא; אלא למ"ד: בניסן נברא העולם, הא

חזא ליה יומי זוטי ויומי אריכי! ]דהוי[ זוטי כולי האי לא חזא. חזא ליה יומי זוטי ויומי אריכי! ]דהוי[ זוטי כולי האי לא חזא. ת"ר: יום שנברא בו אדם הראשון, כיון ששקעה עליו חמה, אמר: אוי ת"ר: יום שנברא בו אדם הראשון, כיון ששקעה עליו חמה, אמר: אוי ►

לי, שבשביל שסרחתי עולם חשוך בעדי ויחזור עולם לתוהו ובוהו, לי, שבשביל שסרחתי עולם חשוך בעדי ויחזור עולם לתוהו ובוהו, וזו היא מיתה שנקנסה עלי מן השמים, היה יושב ]בתענית[ ובוכה וזו היא מיתה שנקנסה עלי מן השמים, היה יושב ]בתענית[ ובוכה כל הלילה וחוה בוכה כנגדו, כיון שעלה עמוד השחר, אמר: מנהגו כל הלילה וחוה בוכה כנגדו, כיון שעלה עמוד השחר, אמר: מנהגו

של עולם הוא.של עולם הוא.

Winter SolsticeWinter Solstice► Babylonian Talmud, Avodah Zara 8aBabylonian Talmud, Avodah Zara 8a► Our Rabbis taught: When Adam saw the day Our Rabbis taught: When Adam saw the day

getting gradually shorter, he said, ‘Woe is me, getting gradually shorter, he said, ‘Woe is me, perhaps because I have sinned, the world perhaps because I have sinned, the world around me is being darkened and returning to around me is being darkened and returning to its state of chaos and confusion; this then is its state of chaos and confusion; this then is the kind of death to which I have been the kind of death to which I have been sentenced from Heaven!’ So he began sentenced from Heaven!’ So he began keeping an eight days’ fast. But as he keeping an eight days’ fast. But as he observed the winter solstice and noted the observed the winter solstice and noted the day getting increasingly longer, he said, ‘This day getting increasingly longer, he said, ‘This is the world's course’, and he set forth to is the world's course’, and he set forth to keep an eight days’ festivity. In the following keep an eight days’ festivity. In the following year he appointed both as festivals. Now, he year he appointed both as festivals. Now, he fixed them for the sake of Heaven, but the fixed them for the sake of Heaven, but the [heathens] appointed them for the sake of [heathens] appointed them for the sake of idolatry.idolatry.

Why is Hanukah 8 Why is Hanukah 8 Days?Days?

Lit for Eight DaysLit for Eight Days

תלמוד בבלי מסכת שבת דף כא עמוד ב תלמוד בבלי מסכת שבת דף כא עמוד ב ►מאי חנוכה? דתנו רבנן: בכ"ה בכסליו יומי דחנוכה מאי חנוכה? דתנו רבנן: בכ"ה בכסליו יומי דחנוכה ►

תמניא אינון, דלא למספד בהון ודלא להתענות בהון. תמניא אינון, דלא למספד בהון ודלא להתענות בהון. שכשנכנסו יוונים להיכל טמאו כל השמנים שבהיכל, שכשנכנסו יוונים להיכל טמאו כל השמנים שבהיכל,

וכשגברה מלכות בית חשמונאי ונצחום, בדקו ולא מצאו וכשגברה מלכות בית חשמונאי ונצחום, בדקו ולא מצאו אלא פך אחד של שמן שהיה מונח בחותמו של כהן אלא פך אחד של שמן שהיה מונח בחותמו של כהן

גדול, ולא היה בו אלא להדליק יום אחד, נעשה בו נס גדול, ולא היה בו אלא להדליק יום אחד, נעשה בו נס והדליקו ממנו שמונה ימים. לשנה אחרת קבעום והדליקו ממנו שמונה ימים. לשנה אחרת קבעום

ועשאום ימים טובים בהלל והודאה.ועשאום ימים טובים בהלל והודאה.

► What is [the reason of] Hanukkah? For our Rabbis What is [the reason of] Hanukkah? For our Rabbis taught: On the twenty-fifth of Kislev [commence] taught: On the twenty-fifth of Kislev [commence] the days of Hanukkah, which are eight on which a the days of Hanukkah, which are eight on which a lamentation for the dead and fasting are forbidden. lamentation for the dead and fasting are forbidden. For when the Greeks entered the Temple, they For when the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all the oils therein, and when the defiled all the oils therein, and when the Hasmonean dynasty prevailed against and defeated Hasmonean dynasty prevailed against and defeated them, they made search and found only one cruse them, they made search and found only one cruse of oil which lay with the seal of the High Priest, but of oil which lay with the seal of the High Priest, but which contained sufficient for one day's lighting which contained sufficient for one day's lighting only; yet a miracle was wrought therein and they lit only; yet a miracle was wrought therein and they lit [the lamp] therewith for eight days. The following [the lamp] therewith for eight days. The following year these [days] were appointed a Festival with year these [days] were appointed a Festival with [the recital of] Hallel and thanksgiving[the recital of] Hallel and thanksgiving..

Eight Metal SpitsEight Metal Spits

פסיקתא רבתי )איש שלום( פרשה ב ד"ה ילמדנו פסיקתא רבתי )איש שלום( פרשה ב ד"ה ילמדנו ►רבינו נררבינו נר

ולמה מדליק נרות בחנוכה אלא בשעה שנצחו ולמה מדליק נרות בחנוכה אלא בשעה שנצחו ►בניו של חשמונאי הכהן הגדול למלכות יון בניו של חשמונאי הכהן הגדול למלכות יון

שנאמר ועוררת בניך ציון על בניך יון )זכריה ט' שנאמר ועוררת בניך ציון על בניך יון )זכריה ט' י"ג( נכנסו לבית המקדש מצאו שם שמונה י"ג( נכנסו לבית המקדש מצאו שם שמונה

שפודין של ברזל וקבעו אותם והדליקו בתוכם שפודין של ברזל וקבעו אותם והדליקו בתוכם נרותנרות

► II Maccabees 2:12 - Solomon also II Maccabees 2:12 - Solomon also celebrated the feast in the same way celebrated the feast in the same way for eight days. for eight days.

Like SukkothLike SukkothII Maccabees 10II Maccabees 10Now Maccabeus and his followers, the Lord leading them on, recovered Now Maccabeus and his followers, the Lord leading them on, recovered the temple and the city; 2. they tore down the altars that had been built the temple and the city; 2. they tore down the altars that had been built in the public square by the foreigners, and also destroyed the sacred in the public square by the foreigners, and also destroyed the sacred precincts. 3. They purified the sanctuary, and made another altar of precincts. 3. They purified the sanctuary, and made another altar of sacrifice; then, striking fire out of flint, they offered sacrifices, after a sacrifice; then, striking fire out of flint, they offered sacrifices, after a lapse of two years, and they offered incense and lighted lamps and set lapse of two years, and they offered incense and lighted lamps and set out the bread of the Presence. out the bread of the Presence. 4. When they had done this, they fell prostrate and implored the Lord 4. When they had done this, they fell prostrate and implored the Lord that they might never again fall into such misfortunes, but that, if they that they might never again fall into such misfortunes, but that, if they should ever sin, they might be disciplined by him with forbearance and should ever sin, they might be disciplined by him with forbearance and not be handed over to blasphemous and barbarous nations. 5. It not be handed over to blasphemous and barbarous nations. 5. It happened that on the same day on which the sanctuary had been happened that on the same day on which the sanctuary had been profaned by the foreigners, the purification of the sanctuary took place, profaned by the foreigners, the purification of the sanctuary took place, that is, on the twenty-fifth day of the same month, which was Chislev. that is, on the twenty-fifth day of the same month, which was Chislev. 6. They celebrated it for eight days with rejoicing, in the manner of the 6. They celebrated it for eight days with rejoicing, in the manner of the festival of booths, remembering how not long before, during the festival festival of booths, remembering how not long before, during the festival of booths, they had been wandering in the mountains and caves like wild of booths, they had been wandering in the mountains and caves like wild animals. 7. Therefore, carrying ivy-wreathed wands and beautiful animals. 7. Therefore, carrying ivy-wreathed wands and beautiful branches and also fronds of palm, they offered hymns of thanksgiving to branches and also fronds of palm, they offered hymns of thanksgiving to him who had given success to the purifying of his own holy place. 8. him who had given success to the purifying of his own holy place. 8. They decreed by public edict, ratified by vote, that the whole nation of They decreed by public edict, ratified by vote, that the whole nation of the Jews should observe these days every year.  9. Such then was the the Jews should observe these days every year.  9. Such then was the end of Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes. end of Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes.

בבלי שבת כא ע"בבבלי שבת כא ע"ב

► Our Rabbis taught: The precept of Hanukkah [demands] Our Rabbis taught: The precept of Hanukkah [demands] one light for a man and his household; the zealous one light for a man and his household; the zealous [kindle] a light for each member [of the household]; [kindle] a light for each member [of the household]; and the extremely zealous, — Beth Shammai maintain: and the extremely zealous, — Beth Shammai maintain: On the first day eight lights are lit and thereafter they On the first day eight lights are lit and thereafter they are gradually reduced, but Beth Hillel say: On the first are gradually reduced, but Beth Hillel say: On the first day one is lit and thereafter they are progressively day one is lit and thereafter they are progressively increased. ‘Ulla said: In the West [Palestine] two increased. ‘Ulla said: In the West [Palestine] two amoraim, R. Jose b. Abin and R. Jose b. Zebida, differ amoraim, R. Jose b. Abin and R. Jose b. Zebida, differ therein: one maintains, The reason of Beth Shammai is therein: one maintains, The reason of Beth Shammai is that it shall correspond to the days still to come, and that it shall correspond to the days still to come, and that of Beth Hillel is that it shall correspond to the days that of Beth Hillel is that it shall correspond to the days that are gone; but another maintains: Beth Shammai's that are gone; but another maintains: Beth Shammai's reason is that it shall correspond to the bullocks of the reason is that it shall correspond to the bullocks of the Festival; whilst Beth Hillel's reason is that we promote Festival; whilst Beth Hillel's reason is that we promote in [matters of] sanctity but do not reduce.in [matters of] sanctity but do not reduce.

2 Maccabees 6:72 Maccabees 6:7

►On the monthly celebration of the On the monthly celebration of the king’s birthday, the Jews were taken, king’s birthday, the Jews were taken, under bitter constraint, to partake of under bitter constraint, to partake of the sacrifices; and when a festival of the sacrifices; and when a festival of Dionysus was celebrated, they were Dionysus was celebrated, they were compelled to wear wreaths of ivy and compelled to wear wreaths of ivy and to walk in the procession in honor to walk in the procession in honor Dionysus.Dionysus.

TeetotumTeetotum

► The original medieval dice used in Germany by The original medieval dice used in Germany by gamblers was inscribed with the four letters: gamblers was inscribed with the four letters: N, G, N, G, H,H, and and S, S, which are the initials:which are the initials:

Nichts Nichts (“nothing”), (“nothing”), Ganz Ganz (“all”), (“all”), Halb Halb (“half”), and (“half”), and Stellein Stellein (“put in”). (“put in”).

– – Encyclopedia Judaica “Folklore”Encyclopedia Judaica “Folklore”

KedushefyKedushefy

►Winter Solstice becomes religious day Winter Solstice becomes religious day of hope and trust in Hashem.of hope and trust in Hashem.

►Celebration of lights becomes symbol Celebration of lights becomes symbol of Hashem’s providence even in times of Hashem’s providence even in times of darkness.of darkness.

► Ivy bands for Dionysis become part of Ivy bands for Dionysis become part of rededication celebration.rededication celebration.

►European gambling game becomes European gambling game becomes symbol of perseverance.symbol of perseverance.