What Is a Menorah Doing in a Hellenist's Window? Chanukah from a Different Angle

We all know that the decrees of Antiochus were only against the practice of the Torah, and not against the lives of the Jews.

We have all learned about the specific decrees that the Greek authorities insisted on enforcing with severity, with the penalty for violating the law being one – death.

We also know that they were keen on targeting the foundations that kept the Jewish people united throughout all exiles, and their goal was to erase faith from the hearts of the devout. They understood that the only hope for the culture of Greece to deeply implant in the hearts of the Holy Land's residents depended on their ability to uproot them from their heritage. As long as the connection between the Jewish people and Hashem existed, they remained a formidable force against everyone. And they did not want to be everyone, but the ruling people.

Therefore, they were wiser than all the nations that ruled before them, and they provided a fitting alternative to the Torah of Israel, an alternative that was very hard to contend with – the culture of Greece. Body development, beauty, philosophy, science, mathematics, sports. These are values hard to contend with, and all other values pale in comparison.

Clearly, not all Jews of the period were a single block, and if we try to delve and enter an arbitrary dialogue between a Maccabee Jew and a Hellenist, it would sound like this:

'Did you hear about the decree on Torah study?'.

'I heard, why are you making a big deal out of it?'.

'What do you mean? What will happen to the Torah of Hashem, the source of our life?'.

'They didn't close the Talmud faculty. And there you can study to your heart's content'.

'Torah is not studied as a profession, but as a life doctrine. There, they focus on the era, clothing, and rulings given through generations due to economic situations, social changes, or various rulerships. Do you think great Torah scholars determine or resolve disputes based on the shifting winds of the day?!'.

'Humans are subject to change too'.

'You are a Hellenist of the highest degree. This is essentially the backbone of Greek culture. They are willing for us to open the Bible and willing for us to study Torah, only on the condition that we remove Hashem from it. They want us to adopt it as a light myth, like Venus the sea goddess'.

'But on campus, there are high-level academic teachers'.

'If you don't understand the difference, it seems you've completed the transformation, and you are a nice Greek, but not really Jewish. And presumably even the stadium they built opposite the Temple is okay with you?'.

'You fanatics always find fault in every good thing. Why not let our people have a little joy? What will happen if the priests enjoy a good game after offering sacrifices? Besides, I saw some young priests sneaking in and getting a bit of energy. Tell me, where does it say soccer is forbidden?'.

'There is nothing wrong with sports, aesthetics, or science, as long as they are means to fulfill our obligations. But the entire goal of the Greeks is to make them the main thing and idolize them'.

'You are religious, and I'm secular. We are both Jews, and that's fine'.

'And what about the decree on Shabbat? Do you also have something to defend that with?'.

'Shabbat. I'm not as extreme as you. The whole thing is about delighting on Shabbat... Everyone can find the rest and delight that suits them. The world is progressing, and we are no longer in the Middle Ages. And the candles you light 20 minutes before sunset, light them at night. Hashem will forgive you, after all, it’s a matter of life or death'.

'And what about the prohibition on Shabbat, you Hellenist?'.

'For you, the whole Shabbat is built on prohibitions. One should keep the Torah, but I'm not obligated to uphold the thoughts and decrees of the Sages'.

'In that case, surely you've given up on circumcision?'.

'It's not fair to take an 8-day-old infant, defenseless, and hurt him. When he grows up, he'll decide for himself'.

'So you willingly and intentionally removed yourself from the definition of a Jew, while insisting on calling yourself Jewish. In that case, surely you oppose the Maccabees, fighting the Greek army?'.

'I have a deep Jewish identity. And I'm a true Zionist. Don't take ownership of Judaism just because you are an extreme ascetic'.

'But you are a complete Hellenist Jew'.

'You messianic types always think you're right, and that's why you're hated. And maybe you'll understand the reason the Greeks fight you'.

'Not related to messianic, ascetic, extremist, or fanatic. It’s about those who believe in Hashem and His Torah'.

*

A year after the Maccabean victory, having witnessed great miracles and purified the defilement, the two met again. The believer walked innocently and saw a lit menorah in the Hellenist's window. He had to satisfy his curiosity, so he went up to his house and asked.

'Hey, what are the candles doing in your home, and what are you celebrating?'.

'What do you mean? It's a Jewish holiday, and I'm a Jew like you'.

'But it doesn't fit with me, after the conversation we had back then'.

'I have a Jewish identity, I told you already'.

'But all the miracles happened to the Maccabees, whom you saw as fanatics. All they cared about was fighting the decrees you belittled'.

'True, we are all sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but the people of Israel have undergone mutations over generations and changes. But we remained Jews'.

'But right now you're celebrating the victory of spirit over material, while you are completely material in the hands of Greek culture'.

'I'll tell you the truth? The identity definition is a bit hard for me. But if there's a reason to celebrate, why not be happy and make the kids happy? Besides, I love latkes'.

*

Anyone familiar with this dialogue on Jewish identity, and who encounters Hellenists, sorry, path seekers struggling and wrestling with their Jewish identity, it’s a sign they've learned Torah (of course not their fault) according to the method of Greek culture, which still dominates greatly, just under different names.

Blessed is he who knows his duty as a Jew. He will never be caught up in the question: Jewish identity – what is it?