During the eight nights of Chaunkah we light the menorah to celebrate the miraculous victory of the Maccabees over the ancient Greeks, and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days instead of one. But according to Rabbi Shimshon Pincus (1944-2001) the lights of Chanukah have another purpose: They are meant to help us search within ourselves.
The Talmud teaches that before Passover, we must search our homes by the light of a candle to make sure no chametz (leavened food) remains. This practice is connected to a verse in Proverbs: “The soul of man is the lamp of God, searching all the innermost parts” (Proverbs 20:27). Just as a candle illuminates hidden corners of our homes, spiritual light can illuminate hidden corners of our souls. Rabbi Pincus explains that the lights of Chanukah invite us to conduct a similar search. But instead of looking for crumbs of bread, we are looking at our relationship with Torah.
Why Torah? Because the struggle between the ancient Greeks and the Jewish people was not simply a military conflict. It was a battle over Jewish identity and the survival of Torah. The Greeks sought to suppress Jewish religious practice and weaken the Jewish people’s connection to God’s teachings. The Maccabees risked their lives to defend that connection and preserve the Torah for future generations.
Jewish tradition teaches that the spiritual power of each holiday returns every year. Chanukah is therefore not just a celebration of something that happened more than 2,000 years ago. It is an opportunity to renew the very struggle the Maccabees fought: the struggle to keep Torah alive in our hearts and in our daily lives.
When we gaze at the Chanukah candles, we can ask ourselves: How much time do I devote to learning Torah? Do I appreciate the wisdom it offers? Do I value those who dedicate their lives to studying and teaching it? Am I passing that wisdom on to the next generation? These questions are relevant to every Jew, regardless of background or level of observance. Whether we study Torah every day or have never opened a page of the Talmud, there is always an opportunity to deepen our connection to our heritage.
The Maccabees demonstrated extraordinary courage and determination in defending the Torah. According to Rabbi Pincus, the spiritual strength that sustained them is available to us during Chanukah as well. This Chanukah, as we kindle the menorah, let its light inspire us to make a commitment to Torah learning. It might mean attending a class, studying a few minutes each day, exploring the weekly Torah portion, or learning with a friend or family member. Even a small commitment can bring more Torah into our lives.
The miracle of Chanukah is not only that a tiny amount of oil produced so much light. It is also that a small group of Jews kept the light of Torah burning against overwhelming odds.
More than 2,000 years later, that light is still burning. Let’s all do our part to keep it alive!
Image: Chanukah in Israel. It is customary to light the menorah outdoors in a little glass box
🤗 Sign up for our free weekly newsletter!
❤️ Support our work and dedicate an episode of AT Daily to the healing/honor/memory of a loved one.
📱NEW! Accidental Talmudist App now available for Apple and Android!