For more than 1,000 years, we have been sharing only half the message. The Chanukah story is actually made up of two stories from 2,000 years ago. The first is the story of how Alexander the Great came to conquer Judea, which was in the Land of Israel. After his success, many of the Jews willingly assimilated into Greek Culture. The ones who did not assimilate where largely left alone.
Then along came the cruel King Antiochus who defiled all that was Jewish, including the holy Temple in Jerusalem. Long story short, a small group of Jews called the Maccabees who had not assimilated, gathered at most 20,000 fighters to fight a battle against the 50,000-strong Greek army. The Maccabees won, reclaimed and rebuilt the Temple.
The second story includes how after the battle, the Jews lit a small jar of oil which was only to last one day but in fact lasted eight days until more oil could be replenished to keep the Temple Menorah lit.
The second story has been the most popular Chanukah story for a very long time, but only the first is found in the original Book of Maccabees. The Book focuses solely on the military victory and the re-dedication of the Temple. It isn’t until much later during the Rabbinic Period that the Miracle of Light story appears along with strong encouragement to light the eight candles of a Chanukiah and place it in public so that others inside and outside the Jewish community will see the Chanukah lights.
The Rabbis wanted to emphasize Chanukah is about more than a military victory. It is about the importance of knowing who we are and being proud of it. A small band of Jews fought against the attempt to desecrate everything about what we believe and who we are, from our souls to our sanctuaries. Fighting to preserve the very essence of who we are is vitally important. That is the specific message, but it is also universal. Everyone should have the right to preserve the very essence of who they are so that it may flourish.
In our country there is confusion about what the word pluralism means, and yet pluralism is the light we need to strengthen this country. It raises the possibilities that we can be vastly different and still do good things together. Pluralism encourages us to integrate rather than assimilate, with the understanding that our differences are a resource of potential contribution.
Learning how to balance integration and difference has never been more important. It is not easy but promises to enrich everyone. We all struggle somewhere in our lives with what it means to belong and what it means to be different. Even identical twins are not completely the same.We haven’t figured this one out yet. But we can take small steps and not just this season. The Chanukah lights remind us we increase light, especially in dark time. When we invite each other to light, even one tiny candle together, it can open our hearts and make every effort to also come as we are.
Amy Brenner Mitz is an Ordained Cantor and a graduate of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City, who looks forward to lighting the Chanukah Candles with her family in Sugar Hill.