Selected Ideas of Rabbi Sacks ztz”l on Chanukah
Kayla Minsk
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks ztz”l, former Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, passed away last month. As a way to honor him, we wanted to share some of his ideas about Chanukah, which he originally published in 2013. Rabbi Sacks wrote up eight thoughts to be shared for each night of Chanukah. By relating different stories to Chanukah, Rabbi Sacks conveyed relevant lessons we can benefit from. We decided to share three of them in Palette, but we encourage you to read the rest through the link below.
Night One: “Inspired by Faith, We Can Change the World”
To begin the holiday, Rabbi Sacks retells the Chanukah story that many of us are familiar with: Antiochus IV, a ruler during the 2nd century B.C., forbade the Jews from practicing Judaism; a group of Jewish rebels, commonly known as the Maccabees, fought — and beat — one of the most powerful armies of this time. The Maccabees reconquered the Beit HaMikdash in Jerusalem, lit the menorah from a small jug of oil which miraculously lasted for eight days, and restored their religious freedom. This was “a victory of the few over the many, the weak over the strong,” Rabbi Sacks explains. The Jews, who were a small, unprepared army, were able to beat the powerful Greeks. Rabbi Sacks teaches us not to doubt a small group of determined fighters. Just like the Maccabees had faith, we too can change the world when inspired by faith.
Night Two: “The Light of the Spirit Never Dies”
For the second night, Rabbi Sacks poses the famous question of the Beit Yosef (Orach Chaim 670): “What was the miracle of the first night?” On every night of Chanukah, we make the blessing over miracles, “she’asah nissim lavotenu” (Who performed miracles for our forefathers). It makes sense that the second through eighth days were miraculous since the oil was only meant to last one day; however, oil that was meant to last for one day lasting for one day hardly seems surprising or miraculous.
Rabbi Sacks answers that the miracle was finding the oil at all. The Greeks destroyed the Beit HaMikdash, so it seemed nearly impossible for anything to have survived. It was the Jews’ faith that led them to continue searching for the oil, which they finally found. Rabbi Sacks explains that many times in Jewish history, “There were times when any other people would have given up in despair… but somehow Jews did not sit and weep.” No power on earth can extinguish the everlasting light of the Jewish people. It is our job as Jews to continue the everlasting and indestructible light of the Jewish people.
Night Five: “The Light of War and the Light of Peace”
The idea for the fifth night delves into the importance of the peace in our homes. The Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Megillah and Chanukah 4:12) writes, “The command of Chanukah lights is very precious… One who lacks the money to buy lights should sell something, or if necessary borrow, so as to be able to fulfill the mitzvah.” Then the question arises of in a case where you only have one candle Friday afternoon and have to choose between lighting the Chanukah candles or Shabbat candles, which lighting takes priority? You may think that logically, it would make sense for the Chanukah candles to take priority because there is no law saying that you have to sell or borrow to light Shabbat candles. However, the law states that Shabbat candles take priority.
To explain this ruling, Rabbi Sacks uses another statement of the Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Megillah and Chanukah 4:14) that explains how the Shabbat candles symbolize peace in the home. He then explains that “the Shabbat light takes precedence because in Judaism, the greatest military victory takes second place to peace in the home.” Chanukah is more than the celebration of a military victory. Judaism values “the home more than the battlefield, marriage more than military grandeur, and children more than generals.” The light of peace is more important than the light of war. Rather than just celebrating the military victory of the Jews, take a moment to value the spiritual component of the Chanukah story as well.
As we celebrate Chanukah this year, let us connect with these valuable lessons that Rabbi Sacks has given us and find inspiration this holiday.
For further reading:
https://rabbisacks.org/8-thoughts-8-nights/
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