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The Spectacle Blog
In light of the fact that I have just written an article about my twelve favorite Christmas songs, I would be remiss if I didn’t write something about Chanukah as it begins tonight at sundown.
For those unfamiliar with Chanukah, it is The Festival of Lights. When the Maccabees regained control of the Second Temple in Jerusalem from Antiochus of the Seleucid Empire in 164 B.C., there was only enough oil to light the Temple for one night. Instead, the Temple remained lit for eight nights. Hence the reason for the Menorah to be lit on eight nights.
Consider this editorial comment in the online encyclopedia Judaism 101 regarding Chanukah, “Note that the holiday commemorates the miracle of the oil, not the military victory. Jews do not glorify war.”
Yet I think that misses the point. It’s true that Chanukah isn’t a celebration of the military victory. Yet without regaining control of the Second Temple from the Greeks and Syrians, Jews are still prohibited from observing their religious customs while being compelled to worship false idols not to mention the slaughter of pigs at the altar of the Second Temple. If there is no revolt against Hellenism then Judaism could have have been significantly altered or disappeared altogether.
Or let me put it more succinctly: No Maccabees, no miracle.
View all comments (14) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/12/20/thoughts-on-chanukah-no-maccab
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Ryan| 12.20.11 @ 10:06AM
Ummm...how are the Jews being "compelled" to worship false idols? That appears to be a little bit of a reach.
Con Chef (NB) | 12.20.11 @ 11:21AM
He was refering to the age in which the incident took place. Re-read the statement.
Ryan| 12.20.11 @ 12:11PM
That "are still prohibited" should be "were still prohibited," then. I see it now.
Occam's Tool| 12.20.11 @ 1:06PM
Dear Ryan: Read up on the history of Antiochus and Alexander. The revolt was a religious one, guy.
Ryan| 12.20.11 @ 2:15PM
It was a grammatical error, sorry. "Jews are" instead of "Jews were."
Ken (Old Texican)| 12.20.11 @ 11:50AM
Amen, Aaron!
Ken (Old Texican)| 12.20.11 @ 12:00PM
By the way Aaron, a song about your home town.
Please check your memo box.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeALTHQQAWo
Paul McGrath| 12.20.11 @ 12:18PM
Happy Chanukah, Aaron, although I was always taught it was spelled "Hannukah."
Occam's Tool| 12.20.11 @ 1:08PM
Dear Paul: Hebrew transliteration is the "Ch" which is pronounced as a prolonged 'k.' See "The Hebrew Hammer" Israeli Car Rental scene for an explanation.
Oh, and Merry Christmas, sir.
Paul McGrath| 12.20.11 @ 2:14PM
That's what I figured. Merry Christmas to you, too, and Merry Christmas to everybody.
Occam's Tool| 12.20.11 @ 4:25PM
You should still see "The Hebrew Hammer." I loved it.
albert constantine jr| 12.20.11 @ 3:02PM
And Happy Hannukah to You (or is it Chappy Chanukah?).
Occam's Tool| 12.20.11 @ 4:26PM
Hey, "Happy" is Englais. Take care, Al.
Margie| 12.20.11 @ 11:32PM
"Therefore, if the Son sets you free,
you are free indeed." Jn. 8:36.