The Real Miracle of Chanukah

“The common man prefers comfort to pleasure, convenience to liberty, and a pleasant temperament to that deathly inner consuming fire.” (Hermann Hesse)

Many extraordinary and supernatural events go into the story of Chanukah. Not all of them make sense to me. That a nation would seek to throw off the joke of a now-oppressive and vengeful despot comes as no surprise. That they would endeavor to reestablish their own monarchy and religious institutions does not amaze me in the least. That these indigenous religious rebels would be tenacious fighters is no shock either, as we know that native peoples fight harder for their own land than those who seek to occupy it. That there would surface claims of supernatural intervention is expected as well. It certainly appears miraculous to the mind of the man who thinks the odds are heavily weighed against his cause.

In truth, there was no reasonable expectation of victory for the Macabeans. When we look to history, we don’t see many revolts proving themselves fruitful. Most revolts against powerful empires were crushed rather quickly, sometimes helped along by attrition and dissent from within the rebellious ranks. Rebellions don’t always have unanimous support from those they claim to be saving either. Quite the contrary, in fact. The American Revolution, which damned near failed were it not for French intervention, only had the active participation of less than 1/3 of the colonial population, not counting Natives and African slaves. The rest of the nation either enjoyed the British rule or, as is likely, waited for an outcome before pledging any definite allegiances. Risking life and livelihood for a cause that might not really win the day is a hard thing to ask of someone.

It is a reasonable assumption, based upon history in so many other times and places and the human nature to shun radical change, that the Macabeans faced the same problems in raising the call to revolt. We know there was a faction that aligned itself directly with and benefited from the Seleucid monarchs. We can also assume that there were a vast number of people who had finally gotten used to Hellenistic domination and probably didn’t want to go through the hassle of readjusting their lives all over again. We also know that many Jews became fully Hellenized by this point, imbued with Greek philosophy, culture, and attitude. The Macabeans and their allies were in the minority and their enemies were not only the soldiers of a foreign power. The Macabeans had to also fight the inertia of a poor and apathetic Jewish populace.

If we were to travel in time to 167 BCE, we would find this small band of displaced priests, justifiably outraged the desecration of the holiest site and its artifacts, scouring the countryside for others willing to fight the Seleucid monarch. Yet, for all their outrage, they were few in number and had to find some way to communicate that outrage to others and encourage them to overcome the reticence that follows habit and complacency. I know that the way the story is told makes it seem like it was easy, but the history of other rebellions tells another story. There is always an initial sense of fervor and excitement that comes with the hope of victory and new vision for regaining past glory. After the first battles, whether won or lost, the sights of blood and death must have discouraged some from taking up arms again. These were farmers, shepherds, merchants, and priests; not battle hardened warriors or mercenaries. Imagine yourself in their place for just a moment.

This is the real miracle of Chanukah. Somehow, there were just enough of these unlikely sort of freedom fighters to overcome internal and external odds and stick it out long enough to achieve a victory. It was the sheer determination of those least likely to have fought in war, let alone be victorious, that proved to be the wondrous event that truly defines the moment. We heap tomes of liturgical praise upon Matisyahu and his sons for their outstanding leadership, but from them I expected as much. The real praise goes to the farmers, shepherds, merchants, and artisans who overcame inconvenience and fears of death, killing, and war in order to overcome an even greater enemy.

Let’s not forget those unnamed and unheralded Jewish patriots who sacrificed everything and didn’t get to be Kings of Israel, or to be remembered in song and feast. They fought psychological inertia every time they marched out against the Seleucids. They are Chanukah’s real miracle.

Zachor!

“The greatest revolution in our generation is that of human beings, who by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.”