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After October 7th, Tablet magazine asked readers to send a single word that captures how they are feeling. The menorah above, created by the Israeli artist Hadas Hayun, is constructed from the words sent in.
(יט) וישא מתתיהו את קולו ויאמר.
(כ) אם אמנם יסורו כל עבדי המלך גוי גוי מאלוהיו וישמעון לקולו להמיר את חוקות אבותיהם.
(כא) לא כן אנכי ומשפחתי, כי לא נסור ימין ושמאל מאחרי חוקות אבותינו.
(כב) חלילה לנו לשוב ממצוות יהוה אלוהינו ולהפר בריתו אתנו.
(כג) לכן את דתי המלך לא נעשה, ואת חוקותינו לא נמיר בחוקות המלך.
(כד) ויהי ככלותו לדבר, ויגש איש מבני ישראל לעיני כל הניצבים אל הבמה אשר במודעית לזבוח זבח כאשר ציוה המלך.
(כה) וירא מתתיהו, ויחם לבבו ותבער קנאתו על תורת אלוהיו.
(כו) וירוץ בחמתו אל האיש, וימיתהו אצל הבמה, וגם את הפקיד המית, ויתוץ את הבמה.
(כז) ויקנא לתורת אלוהיו כאשר עשה פנחס לזמרי בן סלוא.
(כח) וירץ אחרי כן בתוך העיר ויקרא בקול גדול ויאמר: מי האיש החרד לתורת אלוהיו ומחזיק בבריתו - יבא אחרי.
(כט) ויברח הוא ובניו אל הרי המדבר, ויעזבו כל אשר להם בתוך העיר.
19 But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: "Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him, and have chosen to obey his commandments, everyone of them abandoning the religion of their ancestors, 20 I and my sons and my brothers will continue to live by the covenant of our ancestors. 21 Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances. 22 We will not obey the king's words by turning aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left."
23 When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein, according to the king's command. 24 When Mattathias saw it, he burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. He gave vent to righteous anger; he ran and killed him on the altar. 25 At the same time he killed the king's officer who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. 26 Thus he burned with zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did against Zimri son of Salu. 27 Then Mattathias cried out in the town with a loud voice, saying: "Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!" 28 Then he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the town. 29 At that time many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to live there ...
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: נֵר חֲנוּכָּה מִצְוָה לְהַנִּיחָהּ עַל פֶּתַח בֵּיתוֹ מִבַּחוּץ. אִם הָיָה דָּר בַּעֲלִיָּיה — מַנִּיחָהּ בַּחַלּוֹן הַסְּמוּכָה לִרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים. וּבִשְׁעַת הַסַּכָּנָה — מַנִּיחָהּ עַל שֻׁלְחָנוֹ וְדַיּוֹ.
The Sages taught in a baraita: It is a mitzva to place the Hanukkah lamp at the entrance to one’s house on the outside, so that all can see it. If one lives upstairs, place it at the window adjacent to the public domain. And in a time of danger, when the gentiles issued decrees to prohibit kindling lights, place it on the table and that is sufficient to fulfill his obligation.
הסכנה - שהיה להם לפרסיים חוק ביום אידם שלא יבעירו נר אלא בבית ע"ז שלהם כדאמרינן בגיטין (פ"ב דף יז:):
Of danger: Since the Persians had a law on their holiday, that they should only burn a lamp in their house of idolatry, as we say in Gittin (Chapter 2 - Gittin 17b).
Rav Yom Tov of Seville (Ritva, 14th cen., Spain; Commentary, Shabbos 21b says that the danger of which the gemara discusses must not mean a life threat. If there is a life threat, then we suffer martyrdom rather than violate a prohibition but we do not suffer martyrdom over a positive commandment (see Rema, Shulchan Arukh, Yoreh De’ah 157:3). Rather, the danger here is “threat of pain or hatred, like in France.” The Tosafot (Rashi's grandsons) add: "But perhaps you will say, "They would also take it from upon the table, like it said in Gittin (17a), 'Rabbah bar bar Chanah became ill. A chabar (a Zoroastrian priest, who were stringent about fire as being sacred and attacked Jews for lighting it) came and took the light in front of them." But it can be said (answered) that they are not so accustomed to search inside houses."
In short, the possibility of antisemitism, vandalism and attacks suffices to light inside rather than outdoors.
Rav Yitzchak ben Abba Marri (12th century, France), Sefer Ha-Itur - Aseret Ha'Dibberot, Hilkhot Chanukah
After they practiced [lighting indoors] in the times of danger, they practiced [it always ... but whoever can light outdoors should do so.
(ה) וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֤ם אֶת־חֻקֹּתַי֙ וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָ֛ם הָאָדָ֖ם וָחַ֣י בָּהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָֽה׃ {ס}
(5) You shall keep My laws and My rules, by the pursuit of which human beings shall live: I am יהוה.
(א) כָּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל מְצֻוִּין עַל קִדּוּשׁ הַשֵּׁם הַגָּדוֹל הַזֶּה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא כב לב) "וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל". וּמֻזְהָרִין שֶׁלֹּא לְחַלְּלוֹ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא כב לב) "וְלֹא תְחַלְּלוּ אֶת שֵׁם קָדְשִׁי". כֵּיצַד. כְּשֶׁיַּעֲמֹד עוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים וְיֶאֱנֹס אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל לַעֲבֹר עַל אַחַת מִכָּל מִצְוֹת הָאֲמוּרוֹת בַּתּוֹרָה אוֹ יַהַרְגֶּנּוּ יַעֲבֹר וְאַל יֵהָרֵג שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בַּמִּצְוֹת (ויקרא יח ה) "אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה אוֹתָם הָאָדָם וָחַי בָּהֶם". וָחַי בָּהֶם וְלֹא שֶׁיָּמוּת בָּהֶם. וְאִם מֵת וְלֹא עָבַר הֲרֵי זֶה מִתְחַיֵּב בְּנַפְשׁוֹ:
(1) The entire house of Israel are commanded regarding the sanctification of [God's] great name, as [Leviticus 22:32] states: "And I shall be sanctified amidst the children of Israel." Also, they are warned against desecrating [His holy name], as [the above verse] states: "And they shall not desecrate My holy name."What is implied? Should a gentile arise and force a Jew to violate one of the Torah's commandments at the pain of death, he should violate the commandment rather than be killed, because [Leviticus 18:5] states concerning the mitzvot: "which a man will perform and live by them." [They were given so that] one may live by them and not die because of them. If a person dies rather than transgress, he is held accountable for his life.
Rabbi Hugo Gryn
It was the cold winter of 1944, and although we had nothing like calendars, my father, who was my fellow prisoner there, took me and some of our friends to a corner in our barrack. He announced that it was the eve of Hanukkah, produced a curious-shaped clay bowl, and began to light a wick immersed in his precious, but now melted margarine ration. Before he could recite the blessing, I protested at his waste of food. He looked at me, than at the lamp, and finally said: “You and I have seen that it is possible to live up to three weeks without food. We once lived almost three days without water. But you cannot live properly for three minutes without hope!"
"Lighting Chanukah Candles - Even With Gun Oil", From Ma'ariv (December 26, 1978)
The directives of the military rabbinate [of the Israel Defense Force] also stipulate that soldiers who are located in outposts on the front, in fortresses, etc.. and it is feared that if they light their chanukiyot outside, as the law obligates in order to publicize the miracle, they will be seen by the enemy and be put at risk -- they should light their candles in a hidden place.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, leader of Chabad-Lubavitch movement, 1986
Now, in a land that vigorously protects the right of every man to practice his religion freely, Jews are once again lighting menorahs in public to proclaim the universal message of religious freedom. These public lightings confirm the basic beliefs of America's first settlers, themselves victims of religious persecution. Indeed, freedom to practice religion became inscribed in the laws of the land: “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees individuals the right to practice their religion without fear, and prevents the government from favoring any particular faith.
Statement in an email from JewBelong, December 7, 2023
JewBelong is an organization that uses witty advertisements in public settings and on social media to explain Judaism and affirm Jewish pride
JewBelong was supposed to be getting ready to host Hanukkah on the High Line in NYC right about now. The event, meant to highlight diversity and peace, was to be attended by several hundred people, but was canceled because of the fear of violence against Jewish gatherings. In other words, it’s not safe for groups of Jews to gather publicly, even with extra security in place. This should not surprise anyone, considering there have been rallies across the country calling for Intifada, death to Jews and the end of Israel.
It is clear that this is a terrible time for the Jewish community, and it is indeed a real step backwards for those of us who felt welcome to be proud and Jewish in almost any space. Right now, the world is getting smaller for Jews, but we are fighting back, and goodness will prevail.
Discussion:
Some people in this time of rising antisemitism (after October 7, 2023) are fearful about drawing attention to themselves as Jews. Some have asked about taking down their mezuzzot, hiding any jewelry indicating that they are Jewish (a Star of David, chai, etc.), wearing kippa in public, or putting up a "We Stand With Israel" sign in public. What is the proper level of Jewish pride and concern in a time of anti-Jewish hate?
How does one find hope in dark times?
(כג) וְלֹֽא־זָכַ֧ר שַֽׂר־הַמַּשְׁקִ֛ים אֶת־יוֹסֵ֖ף וַיִּשְׁכָּחֵֽהוּ׃ {פ}
(23) Yet the chief cupbearer did not think of Joseph; he forgot him.
וישכחהו. בלב:
He forgot him. In his heart.
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, “On Prayer" in Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity, (New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1996), 257–267
Prayer is meaningless unless it is subversive, unless it seeks to overthrow and to ruin the pyramids of callousness, hatred, opportunism, falsehoods. The liturgical movement must become a revolutionary movement, seeking to overthrow the forces that continue to destroy the promise, the hope, the vision.
Elie Wiesel, speech at the White House, April 12, 1999
The opposite of love is not hatred, it’s indifference… Even hatred at times may elicit a response. You fight it. You denounce it. You disarm it. Indifference elicits no response. Indifference is not a response. Indifference is not a beginning, it is an end.
Discussion:
Is anti-Jewish (and anti-Israel) hatred only from those who engage in acts of violence? Is offering support to such violence evil (if not as egregious)? And what of those who are indifferent or uncaring (who, like Pharaoh's chief cupbearer) who does not even notice?
What is implied by the fact that this parasha - always appearing just before or at the beginning of Chanukkah - is the only one in Torah that ends on a negative note?
What does the haftara for the Shabbat in Chanukkah teach us about where the "light" of the chanukkiah has to reside?
(א) וַיָּ֕שׇׁב הַמַּלְאָ֖ךְ הַדֹּבֵ֣ר בִּ֑י וַיְעִירֵ֕נִי כְּאִ֖ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יֵע֥וֹר מִשְּׁנָתֽוֹ׃ (ב) וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֔י מָ֥ה אַתָּ֖ה רֹאֶ֑ה (ויאמר) [וָאֹמַ֡ר] רָאִ֣יתִי ׀ וְהִנֵּ֣ה מְנוֹרַת֩ זָהָ֨ב כֻּלָּ֜הּ וְגֻלָּ֣הּ עַל־רֹאשָׁ֗הּ וְשִׁבְעָ֤ה נֵרֹתֶ֙יהָ֙ עָלֶ֔יהָ שִׁבְעָ֤ה וְשִׁבְעָה֙ מֽוּצָק֔וֹת לַנֵּר֖וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל־רֹאשָֽׁהּ׃ (ג) וּשְׁנַ֥יִם זֵיתִ֖ים עָלֶ֑יהָ אֶחָד֙ מִימִ֣ין הַגֻּלָּ֔ה וְאֶחָ֖ד עַל־שְׂמֹאלָֽהּ׃ (ד) וָאַ֙עַן֙ וָֽאֹמַ֔ר אֶל־הַמַּלְאָ֛ךְ הַדֹּבֵ֥ר בִּ֖י לֵאמֹ֑ר מָה־אֵ֖לֶּה אֲדֹנִֽי׃ (ה) וַ֠יַּ֠עַן הַמַּלְאָ֞ךְ הַדֹּבֵ֥ר בִּי֙ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֔י הֲל֥וֹא יָדַ֖עְתָּ מָה־הֵ֣מָּה אֵ֑לֶּה וָאֹמַ֖ר לֹ֥א אֲדֹנִֽי׃ (ו) וַיַּ֜עַן וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלַי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר זֶ֚ה דְּבַר־יהוה אֶל־זְרֻבָּבֶ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹ֤א בְחַ֙יִל֙ וְלֹ֣א בְכֹ֔חַ כִּ֣י אִם־בְּרוּחִ֔י אָמַ֖ר יהוה צְבָאֽוֹת׃
(1) The angel who talked with me came back and woke me as someone is wakened from sleep. (2) He said to me, “What do you see?” And I answered, “I see a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl above it. The lamps on it are seven in number, and the lamps above it have seven pipes; (3) and by it are two olive trees, one on the right of the bowl and one on its left.” (4) I, in turn, asked the angel who talked with me, “What do those things mean, my lord?” (5) “Do you not know what those things mean?” asked the angel who talked with me; and I said, “No, my lord.” (6) Then he explained to me as follows: “This is the word of GOD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit —said GOD of Hosts.
A final story:
One night, Rabbi Yisrael Salanter walked past the shoemaker’s home. Despite it being very late, he noticed that the shoemaker was still busy, working by the light of a candle. “Why are you still working?” Rabbi Salanter asked him. “It is very late and soon the candle will go out.” The shoemaker replied “As long as the candle is still burning it is still possible to accomplish and to mend shoes.”
From this Salanter derived this lesson: As long as our candles are still burning, we can still accomplish much and mend our mistakes (and our world).