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TORAT MIZRACHI

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

Appreciate the

Miracles

hat is Chanukah?... explained naturally. The importance are in severe distress, physically
When the Greeks of the miracle of the cruse of oil is that or spiritually, there is a need
“Wentered the Sanctuary, it teaches us G-d’s role in the miracle for a miracle to save them from
they defiled all of the oils. When the of the military victory. their suffering, or to prove G-d’s
Chashmonai dynasty arose and defeated Providence and existence in the face
them, they searched but only found one This idea is significant not only for of the heresy that rules the world.
cruse of oil which retained the stamp of Chanukah but for our everyday
the Kohen Gadol, and which contained life. The Ramban explains that the Should we hope for revealed miracles?
enough oil to light for no more than purpose of the revealed miracles of No. As we have mentioned, revealed
one day. A miracle occurred, and they the Torah is so we understand that miracles were performed during
lit from the oil for eight days. The next every single thing that happens, times of crisis. In good times, G-d
happens through G-d. So we can
year, they instituted those days as a holi- reveals Himself to us through nature.
day of praise and thanks.” (Shabbat 21b) acknowledge the miracles and In good times, we act on our own, and
wonders that G-d does for us each
Why did our Sages choose to day. we feel G-d’s Hand on our shoulder.
emphasize the miracle of the oil We are privileged to celebrate
more than the miracle of the military Why did our Sages Chanukah in an uplifting reality
victory? The miracle of the victory “” in which Am Yisrael have the
is what saved the Jewish nation, an choose to emphasize opportunity to live in their homeland,
incredible marvel of the few against the miracle of the oil Medinat Yisrael, with a strong Israel
the many that changed the face of more than the miracle Defense Forces.
Jewish history. If so, isn’t it more
appropriate to mention that as the of the military victory? When we light Chanukah candles
essence of Chanukah? and contemplate their light, let
us remember the cruse of oil and
This question is magnified in light of G-d’s great love for us. That is what
the text of םי ִּ סִּנ ַ ה ל ַ ע, which specifically It seems we can delve even deeper protects us from generation to
emphasizes the victory over the in explaining this. Sometimes we generation, every hour and every
Greeks: “You delivered the strong expect a miracle to save us from a moment. Recognize the Hand of
into the hands of the weak, the many certain situation, or to prove G-d’s G-d that guided us in the war of the
into the hands of the few, the impure existence or love for us. This stems Chashmonaim, that guides us in
into the hands of the pure, the wicked from the premise that a miracle is a the process of the redemption we
into the hands of the righteous, the high level of connection with G-d. are privileged to be part of, and that
wanton into the hands of the diligent Indeed, a miracle is an overt Divine illuminates our path morning, noon
students of your Torah. For Yourself, intervention that changes the order of and night.
You made a great and holy Name nature. G-d’s presence is very obvious
in miracles.
in Your world, and for Your people
Israel you worked a great victory and However, when we focus on miracles
salvation as this very day. Thereafter, that G-d has performed for Am
Your children came to the Holy of Yisrael, we discover something
Holies of Your House, cleansed Your fascinating. Miracles were performed
Temple, purified the site of Your during periods of hardship and
Holiness and kindled lights in the suffering, not during the better times.
courtyards of Your Sanctuary.”
So it was with the 10 Plagues and
The Maharal explains that although the splitting of Yam Suf, the various
the victory over the Greeks is the miracles in the desert, the miracles Rabbanit Sharon Rimon teaches Tanach
main reason for celebrating the of Eliyahu and Elisha, and also and is Content Editor for the HaTanakh
holiday, every military victory can be with Chanukah. When the Jews website.

To be a Jew is to be part of a history touched, in a mysterious
yet unmistakable way, by the hand of Providence. | 9
RABBI SACKS