Chanukah Miracles

The Chanukah holiday is fast approaching and it is a great opportunity for Jews to reflect on the Chanukah miracles that are celebrated every year. These miracles endure in the memory of every Jew because of the important lessons that they teach us, even so many centuries after these miraculous events took place. Look back on these Chanukah miracles to understand the essence and the meaning of the annual holiday celebrations.

What Are the Chanukah Miracles?

There are two Chanukah miracles that we commemorate during the Yom Tov of Chanukah.

The first miracle is the miracle of might, wherein Yehudah HaMaccabee led a small band of Jewish fighters against a mighty Syrian-Greek Army. Through a series of miracles, the Maccabees were able to reclaim and restore the Bais Hamikdash.

The second miracle is the miracle of light. Despite only a small amount of oil being lit in the menorah, it continued burning for eight days in the Beis Hamikdash. 

The Miracle of Might

The story of how Yehudah HaMaccabee fought and won over a powerful army is an example of the potency of willpower. It has a very important lesson that many Jews can apply to their daily lives today.

Yehudah HaMaccabee organized a small band of Jewish fighters, including his family, to fight the invading Syrian-Greek army. It seemed like it was a lost cause because they were outnumbered and the Syrian-Greek army was fully equipped with weaponry and many legions of experienced soldiers.

Yet, Yehudah HaMaccabee showed how an act of courage and reliance on Hashem can spell the difference in any battle. The Jews’ greatest weapons were their bravery, courage, willingness to do the right thing, and emunah, of course. Despite being outnumbered, they managed to overcome their foe and emerged victorious. By winning the battle, the Maccabees reclaimed possession of the Beis Hamikdash.

The Miracle of Light

The Miracle of Light, also known as the miracle of the oil, is one of the reasons why Chanukah is celebrated annually. The story begins after the Beis Hamikdash was liberated by the Macabees. The guerilla warfare lasted for two years before they finally pushed the Greek army out of Jerusalem.

The Jews cleared out the Bais Hamikdash, and wanted to have the kohanim start serving again. One of the first rituals restored to the Bais Hamikdash was the lighting of the menorah. This did not come easy, though. After a grueling search for oil, only one little bottle was discovered untainted and ready for use. However, the amount of oil in this bottle was only enough to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil continued to burn for the next eight days, until the oil supply was replenished.

The miracle of the oil is the traditional reason we light Chanukah candles for eight consecutive days. The first candle must be lit on the first day of Chanukah, on the second night the first and second candles are lit, with an additional candle being lit each night of Chanukah. The lighting of the menorah must take place after sundown, during which blessings and prayers are recited, and traditional Jewish songs are sung. 

Lessons from the Chanukah Miracles

The Chanukah miracles have several important lessons to teach us. We’ll share some of them with you right here:

• Be proud of who you are! Jewish resilience has long been noted in written history. Many strong armies have tried to destroy Jews; We have been victims of religious oppression throughout history. And yet, Jewish people remain proud of their traditions and identity. We are a resilient nation, and with the help of Hashem, we always prevail.

• The word ‘Chanukah’ means dedication. It refers to the rededication ritual of the Beis Hamikdash after the Jews reclaimed it from the Greek army. The Yom Tov of Chanukah is meant to help us focus on our true essence and rededicate our commitment to the Torah way of life.

• An important lesson you can learn from the Chanukah miracles, to reflect on during the Chanukah holiday, is that light dispels darkness. Chanukah is a winter holiday. The lighting of the candles is a sign of light during times of darkness. Any Jew experiencing darkness in their lives must recognize that by creating your light, you won’t have to stay in darkness for too long.

As the Chanukah celebration draws near, these modern-day lessons from the two Chanukah miracles can help keep the ancient Jewish traditions alive and burning.