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If their intention was to sever Am Yisrael’s connection with Hashem, why # 26347-EYAL-6
did the Greeks suffice with contaminating the oil rather than destroying
the Beit Hamikdash?

The oil refers to the neshamah, as they contain the same letters
. Just as oil floats to the top, never mingling with other liquids, so
is Am Yisrael separate from the other nations. Although mighty world
empires have vanished with the sands of time, Am Yisrael is alive and
eternal, for “the Eternal One of Israel does not lie.”

The Greeks wished to damage the neshamah of Am Yisrael, not their
bodies. This is in contrast to Haman, who sought to physically destroy Am
Yisrael. The Greeks defiled the oil, which hints to the neshamah.They
did not need to destroy the Beit Hamikdash, as long as it was stripped of
its holiness.

Although man’s body is physical, by cleaving to Hashem, one sanctifies
it and transforms it into a spiritual entity. “The way in which man wishes
to go, he is led.”
Why did Hashem send the Greeks, who desired to contaminate the Jewish
souls, against Am Yisrael? When Am Yisrael are remiss in their service
of Hashem, He brings them back to Him through harsh decrees. This was
the condition of the Jews during the days of the Greeks. The Greeks were
merely pawns in Hashem’s hands, which He used to win back His beloved
children.

The Chanukah lights arouse us to renew our service of Hashem, obviating
the need for us to suffer difficulties in order to remember our obligations.
In the future, all the festivals will be annulled except Chanukah and
Purim. What is unique about these two festivals?
Greater is the one who acts righteously after having been commanded than
one who does so without being commanded. The miracles of the past were
in merit of our forefathers, who observed the Torah without being