An old Polish Jew immigrates to the “Golden Land” – the United States of America. There, he experiences the culture shock of his life. Everything is big, industrialized, impersonal, cold, materialistic… Where is the human passion of the old country?
“America!” he spouts the word in disgust as he walks down a busy street. “No one cares about anything here! There is no one idealistic in this place!”
The man behind him overhears the comment and protests. “What do you mean?” he asks in surprise. “Americans can be idealistic about everything! You just have to pay the right price!”
The miracle commemorated on Chanukah is the military victory of the few Maccabees over the many and mighty Syrian Greeks. Yet the story was not about a fight for survival. The Hellenistic empire which controlled the Land of Israel had not threatened annihilation. The Greeks were not out to kill Jews. All they wanted was to replace the “old-fashioned” and “irrational” Jewish values with the sophistication of Hellenistic culture. The committed observance of the Torah and the uncompromising adherence to ethics were passé, they said. Man should think for himself, do as he feels… come on!
So to pull the Jewish population into the melting pot of Hellenism, the Syrian Greeks instituted new laws. Jewish practices deemed “irrational” – the Sabbath and circumcision, for example – were banned. And that’s why the Maccabees rebelled. Rallying the faithful with a cry of “Whoever is for G-d, follow me!” they charged against the most powerful army in the world.
And in the battle of morals vs. culture, morals won. Principles were victorious over popularity. The few had triumphed over the many.
This Chanukah, treat yourself and your family to a Maccabee experience. Connect with the timeless values that are engraved in your identity. Stand up to a culture that idealizes itself, and promote real ideals. Draw red lines and stick to them; don’t be intimidated or embarrassed.
Be a strong Maccabee. Be a winner!
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Chanukah
Rabbi Mendy
