"Mom, Here Are the Maccabees!" Two Soldiers, Two Paths, and One Light Connecting Them

Yesterday, when I was bringing my children back from kindergarten, two soldiers carrying weapons passed by us. They gave each other a long, strong hug.

"Mom, here are the Maccabees," said three-year-old Davidi. I didn't answer him, I was engrossed in that hug.

"Libi, look, Maccabees," the child drew his older sister's attention, hoping for her confirmation that indeed the heroic Maccabees he had learned about were in front of his eyes.

I looked at the soldiers. One of them had ranks on his shoulders, a large kippah, a long beard, and tzitzit coming out from his uniform.

The other was younger, with long hair and a backpack on his back that said: "Democracy Now".

Two people who seem different on the surface, as if a chasm of ideology, belief, and way of life separates them.

I didn't know what connected them or where they were returning from, but one thing I knew for sure: my Davidi was right - they are two heroes.

The Maccabees were a small group of heroic Jews, freedom fighters, who liberated Judea from the Greeks.

This is also one of the miracles for which we celebrate Chanukah, as it is said in the prayer: "You delivered the strong into the hands of the weak"... the Maccabees, though fewer in number, succeeded in overcoming the Greek majority.

The word "Maccabee" is composed of the first letters of the verse "Mi Chamocha Ba'elim H'", which translates to "'Who is like You among the mighty, Hashem.'" This was the battle cry of the Maccabees, inscribed on their flag as a sign that the war was a war of faithfulness to Hashem.

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Those soldiers parted ways. It seemed as though a chasm of ideology, belief, and lifestyle separated them, but in reality, that chasm is connected by one sacred, single, and unique nation - they are both Jews!

Both are heroes and both, just like the Maccabees, are ready to sacrifice themselves - one for Hashem and the other for the homeland - which is essentially the same.

In this special moment, I prayed to Hashem.

I prayed that everyone would return home already,

I prayed that each one would light Chanukah candles in their home this year,

and I also prayed that during the festival of miracles and wonders, one more miracle would occur for us, unity among the people.

In the meantime, I looked again at my children, who were already hugging each other.

What does it mean? I don't know, but I hope it signifies that unity is already here.

Happy Chanukah.

Hadas Franco is a lawyer and mediator, a personal coach for relationships, security, and personal and family fulfillment.