Regardless of how many candles we may light, most of us are in the dark about Chanukah. Having made it into a children’s holiday, an eight-day response in some countries to Christmas, we fail to see that Chanukah may be the most serious and relevant of Jewish holidays for our times.
It is a much more complex narrative than what we usually tell—much more than simply a one-dimensional oil miracle story, or a reason to eat doughnuts or argue about what to put on top of latkes. It is a wide ranging and dynamic story that ultimately includes: the rise and fall of empires; egotism and elitism driven by greed and power; class warfare and urban-rural strife; religious zealotry and religious pragmatism; cultural and social assimilation; the over-centralization of power into the hands of a few; great courage and brave foolhardiness; and much, much more. The complete Chanukah story, if studied closely, can tell us much about leadership, alliances, military strategy, national interests and human nature. Such an analysis can generate many useful general and specifically Jewish takeaways for our times.
For a start, here are a few general Chanukah takeaways, useful for everyone:
1. Low tech, especially in the hands of committed people willing to sacrifice their lives, can defeat high tech. It was only when Judah Maccabee changed from his guerilla tactics to frontal warfare did he lose and die. (Think Vietnam. Consider slingshots, rocks, knives, cars, suicide bombing, and 70 virgins.) Fight low tech with everything you’ve got! Don’t only depend on your expensive gadgets.
2. When faced with such situations, think, but don’t waste time overthinking. ACT! There is value to honed instinct. Experience counts. Mattathias started a successful revolution that way. Remember, logic and linear thinking don’t always apply in human actions, especially with groups. Yes, cultural imperatives need to be understood and countered, but delaying action only leads to indecision and is often perceived as weakness. Plan ahead so you can act quickly!
3. When making alliances, always be very aware of and sensitive to the ally’s long-term agenda, or changes in it. Simply, friends with agendas don’t always remain friends. They may not really have ever been your friends. (The Hasmoneans allied with the Roman Republic to counterbalance the Syrian Greeks, but look what happened over time. Think Tisha B’Av. 2)
4. Keep looking at the whole game board or map to see what forces are really at play or coming into play. And don’t ignore the elephants in the room. Appreciate the weight they carry. (Not a pun. Eleazar, Judah’s brother, got squashed that way.)
5. There are a lot of speeches quoted in the Books of the Maccabees, but articulate talk and fancy branding do not a leader make. A short slogan is useful (“Who is for God, follow me!”), but must be followed up by ongoing and meaningful activity and relationship building. Leadership is established and maintained through action, not simply by words, promises, or by the appearance of charisma. You must deliver. And deliver again.
6. Righteousness and self-righteousness are not the same. Extremism is inevitably destructive. The center was created and it held and was victorious on Chanukah—and it holds in the long run. Which also underscores the importance of openness and a true balance of powers. Yet, for a short time, the extremes can be useful by reminding the center where the center ought to be.
7. Work with the less-than-perfect, and be willing to achieve the less-than-perfect. It is the human and humane thing to do—a reality check.
8. But listen to what crazy says. They mean it. Because of the dynamic of their insane beliefs, the results can be even worse than they promise. But just because someone is not the same as you or may see the world differently than you, does not make them automatically crazy—or evil. Listen and study them closely. You may learn a lot from the process—both how to counter them and/or how to improve yourself.
9. Never forget the law of unintended consequences. (Rome again.) Remember that it is the road to hell, not paradise, that is paved with good intentions. Consider outcomes and always have an endgame plan. Then revisit it.
Of course there are always specific and useful Jewish takeaways from the Chanukah story:
1. It’s not always about the Jews, but it often starts and/or ends with the Jews. Don’t be paranoid, but, also, don’t be in denial. Always be alert.
2. Faith (emunah) and morality are the basic weapons in the Jewish armory. Jews survive “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts (Zechariah 5:6).” BUT…
3. Chanukah also underscores that all Jews are also expected to pick up a sword and fight when necessary! And to be ready, they must train and prepare before it is necessary.
4. And it will be necessary, for one victory does not mean the eternal battles are over. The Chanukah battles and Hasmonean history did not end with the lit Menorah. Old and new enemies choose to refight the old battles or start new ones. So when we start the job, we must have the stamina to stay the course.
5. How? To prevail over time and over different types of enemies, skills and knowledge beyond the martial arts and military tactics are needed. Not all wars are noisy clashes of battling warriors on bloody fields. Some wars, and, perhaps the most dangerous, are the silent, long-term struggles of social and cultural attrition that consciously target and wear down hearts, minds, and souls. Using tactics such as lawfare and the generating of self-hate and self-doubt ARE tactics of wars!
6. How do you build the stamina to win such wars of social attrition? Unity and pride through self-knowledge are the strategic weapons. Therefore, a real Jewish education is a basic means in this war. Wide Jewish knowledge and practice within an atmosphere that promotes respectful questioning of all authority are keys to continued participation and support. Therefore, Jewish leaders must consistently model Jewish values and knowledge—especially humility and self-sacrifice. They must also assure that these values are imparted consistently and equally to all community members.
7. Jewish leaders of all types and stripes have a double challenge: to be both holy like the candles and to serve the community as shamashim: enlightening and sharing the flame—sparking and inspiring, but never burning, Jewish souls.
8. How? The shamash on the chanukiah is the example. It is a reminder that the true role of leaders is to serve others—and that whatever they do should be done with a brightness and warmth of heart.
One final, encompassing thought: Think of all the lights connected to this Shabbat Chanukah—lights at its beginning and its end: the lights of Chanukah, of Shabbat, and of the new moon. We can learn from each of them.
Shabbat begins with two separated lights, each with one wick standing side by side, to bring light and peace. Shabbat ends with one united, multi-wicked candle that separates—with the ability to distinguish between what is holy and what is profane.
Chanukah candles, reminders of Divine miracles, are lit only to be seen and not used—but there is also one serving candle to light to all the others and which usually burns out first from its efforts. (Should one really consider the candle that makes it all happen a servant—or does it have its own special, silent holiness?)
The new moon’s light is but a slim reflection of something much greater than itself. But it is a new start.
Let us become like them—sacrificing for others, and enlightening and warming others. That way we will keep the Jewish flame alive, from generation to generation.
By studying the messages of the Chanukah lights, we will become aware. And by applying their lessons, we will survive. Again.
The writer is and always will be a new oleh. He is an educator, lecturer and a Jewish communal professional. For over 50 years, he served in leadership positions in Jewish day schools, federations and boards of education.
