A Thought on Chanukah: "What Did the Maccabees Really Achieve?"
Here's how the Maccabees are portrayed in contemporary Israeli society: a group of muscular bullies who used brute force to fight strong Greeks and succeeded in defeating them, bringing political independence to the Jewish people. But the Maccabees were devout.
- ד"ר אריאל כדורי
- פורסם י"ט כסלו התש"פ
#VALUE!
The Jewish people celebrate the holiday of Chanukah. Celebrating the great victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks!
Notice the following irony: children hear stories of the Maccabees defeating the Greeks. The victory of the few over the many... As the famous song lyric goes: "They lit, they kindled many Chanukah lights, for the miracles and wonders performed by the Maccabees". But did the Maccabees perform miracles?
Here's how the Maccabees are portrayed in contemporary Israeli society: a group of muscular bullies who used brute force to fight strong Greeks and succeeded in defeating them, bringing political independence to the Jewish people.
Yes, this is the image that the education system today conveys to its students, through intentional historical distortion. From kindergarten, children are told about the heroism of the Maccabees. But did anyone bother to tell them that the Maccabees' struggle was actually about preserving the Torah and commandments? Did anyone tell them that the acronym of the word Maccabee is "Who is like You among the mighty, O Hashem"? We're not talking about a basketball team!
The full Chanukah story in 5 minutes
What did the Hasmoneans symbolize, and who was Matityahu?
Friends, don't be mistaken. This wasn't a war of a group of bullies seeking political independence, but a collection of devout "fanatics", heaven help us, those strict in observing Torah and commandments, who did not wish to adopt Greek culture.
The Maccabees were people who looked like Rabbi Ovadia, blessed memory! Like Rabbi Steinman, blessed memory! They refused to succumb to any attempt to blur their Jewish identity! And since their goal was holy, Hashem helped them. The few and weak defeated the many and strong. It was a great miracle.
So the next time you sing the famous song, be accurate: "They lit, they kindled many Chanukah lights, for the miracles and wonders that Hashemperformed for the Maccabees...".
Who was Judah the Maccabee? Rabbi Eli Amar in an insightful lesson about the fascinating figure:
