Mai Hanukkah? What is Hanukkah?
The Talmud asks the question, "What is Hanukkah?" (Mai Hanukkah? מַאי חֲנוּכָּה) which on the surface seems like an easy question to answer but in reality, is complex. The story of Hanukkah comes from a variety of source texts and the interpretation of the significance of Hanukkah is multi-layered and changing even to this day. Some say that the story of Hanukkah is about the miracle of the oil; some say it is about the miracle of military victory by the outnumbered troops of Judah Maccabee; some say it is about lights; some say it is about religious freedom; some say it is about private, inner light; others say it is about a public light.
Who recorded the history of Hanukkah?
There are actually different source texts for our modern day version of the story of Hanukkah. Books 1 and 2 of Maccabees, that are considered part of the Apocrypha and are instead canonized with the Christian Bible, give a detailed account of the Judaean revolt against the Greeks under the leadership of Mattathias and his sons including Judah Maccabee. We also have accounts written by the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus who wrote his account of the origins of the holiday in his books entitled, Jewish War Against the Romans, and Jewish Antiquities. Josephus' retelling of the historical events are similar to the text of Books 1 and 2 of Maccabees with a few conspicuous omissions and additions. Josephus referred to the holiday as the Festival of Light and not as the Festival of dedication, or Hanukkah. Josephus also made repeated reference to liberty as a key feature of Hanukkah.
An Aramaic document, called the Scroll of Antiochus, or Megillat Antiochus, used to be read in public during Hanukkah only in certain communities such as in Italy and Yemen. The Scroll of Antiochus is thought to have been written some time between the second and fifth century, and was translated into Hebrew in the sixteenth century. The Scroll of Antiochus is based upon the Book of Maccabees.
An Aramaic document, called the Scroll of Antiochus, or Megillat Antiochus, used to be read in public during Hanukkah only in certain communities such as in Italy and Yemen. The Scroll of Antiochus is thought to have been written some time between the second and fifth century, and was translated into Hebrew in the sixteenth century. The Scroll of Antiochus is based upon the Book of Maccabees.
What was the historical context?
In the fourth century B.C.E., Alexander the Great and his Greek army conquered the Near East, including the land of Israel. After Alexander the Great died, the land of Israel was controlled by the Seleucid dynasty which also ruled the Syrian region. King Antiochus IV Epiphanes imposed a brutal Hellenization campaign, making Jewish practice illegal and punishable by death. The Temple was desecrated and the Menorah was taken away. A depiction of the pillaging has been immortalized on the Arch of Titus in Rome.
 |
| http://www.bible-history.com/archaeology/rome/arch_of_titus_menorah-copy.jpg |
Some Jews found the Hellenistic idol worship customs attractive. However, starting in 167 B.C.E., the Jewish priest Mattathias and his sons, especially Judah--waged a battle against the Greeks and Jewish sympathizers. After three years of battle, the Jewish people prevailed and were permitted to clean and rededicate the Temple.
Where is the miracle mentioned?
Neither Books 1 and 2 of the Macabbees nor the books of Josephus include a mention of a miracle. The only mention of a miracle takes place in the Talmud (Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 21b). The rabbis were leery of the militaristic nature of the Hanukkah revolt, which included bloody disagreements between Jews who wished to become Hellenized and Jews who wished to uphold Jewish traditions and laws. It is also possible that the rabbis were not eager to highlight a victory over their rulers during Talmudic times. Instead, the rabbis were more interested in highlighting the miracle of the cruse of oil that is not mentioned anywhere in the source texts. However, the bravery and heroism of the Hanukkah military victory is particularly relevant to Zionists today in modern times.
A modern interpretation of the meaning of Hanukkah can combine the spirituality of God's miracle with the political action of the Maccabees. The contrast between the light of Hanukkah candles versus darkness can be a metaphor for hope through action in partnership with God versus apathy through inaction.
When did Hanukkah take place?
Since the Maccabees were unable to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot at its proper time in early autumn, the victorious Maccabees decided that Sukkot should be celebrated once they rededicated the Temple, which they did on the 25th of the month of Kislev in the year 164 B.C.E. Since Sukkot lasts eight days, this became the first timeframe adopted for Hanukkah. In 1Maccabees 4:56 it states that the festival of dedication was held for eight days.
Furthermore, Hanukkah is a festival of lights that takes place near winter solstice, a time when some other religions also celebrate a festival of lights. Arthur Waskow writes,
Furthermore, Hanukkah is a festival of lights that takes place near winter solstice, a time when some other religions also celebrate a festival of lights. Arthur Waskow writes,
"There is a great deal of evidence that in much of the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, the winter solstice was a time for imploring the sunlight to return and celebrating its readiness to do so. In Rome, the twenty-fifth of December was the birthday of the Unconquerable Sun. In Persia at the winter solstice, the common people set great bonfires and their rulers sent birds aloft bearing torches of dried grass." (Seasons of our Joy, p. 92)
No comments:
Post a Comment