Page 39 - HaMizrachi Chanukah 5783 USA

Worse Than

Extermination

Rabbi Reuven Taragin

C hanukah parties with family killed our children, but not the people of broader society. Most Jews have taken

and friends are one of the
Ammon and Moav?
advantage of the opportunity and assim-
ilated in one form or another. Though we
highlights of this special time
The Midrash Tanchuma explains that while
of year. Though an appropri-
ate way to celebrate, the Shulchan Aruch the Egyptians attacked us physically, are still attacked and killed because of
our ethnicity, we lose far more people to
Ammon and Moav did something even
paskens that these parties are not obliga- worse, conspiring with Bilaam to ensnare assimilation and intermarriage.
tory because, as opposed to Purim, Cha- our ancestors in sin with Moabite women. Assimilation and even intermarriage
nukah was not established as a holiday Luring another to sin is worse than killing threaten Jews in Israel as well. Though
of “feasting and joy” (Orach Chayim 670:2). them, because killing only removes the we live as a free nation in our own land,
Why was Chanukah instituted this way? victim from this world, while sin removes modern media and the internet constantly
Why is the celebratory feast central to one from the next world as well. 1 expose us to the world’s culture and mores.
Purim, but not Chanukah?
For this reason, the Taz objects to the Chanukah reminds us that what we learn
The Levush suggests that Purim commem- implication that a spiritual threat is less from the world around us must not steer
orates our salvation from the physical significant than a physical one. Chanukah us away from our Torah and traditions.
threat of annihilation, and so we celebrate commemorates salvation from a spiritual
it in a physical way. By contrast, Chanu- threat – a greater salvation than that of May Chanukah inspire us with pride in our
kah only commemorates a spiritual threat. Purim! unique spiritual identity and strengthen
The Greeks did not seek to annihilate us, our commitment to our eternal heritage.
but rather to assimilate us. Because our The Midrash and the Taz remind us to Chanukah Sameach!
lives were not in danger, Chanukah is live our lives in this world in a way that
commemorated spiritually, through the enhances our life in the next one, for “this 1. Many commentaries explain the Haggadah’s
neirot, but not with physical feasting. world is merely an entryway into the next description of Lavan as having tried to “destroy
one” (Pirkei Avot 4:17). everything”. Though Lavan did not want to kill
The Taz rejects the Levush in very strong Ya’akov and his family, he wanted to assim-
terms: “This is not correct!” The Taz felt For this reason, the Mishnah teaches that ilate them, which was tantamount to their
that the Levush minimized the significance if someone is forced to choose between destruction.
of the Grecian threat by presenting it as saving the life of his father (when one’s 2. This is why the best expression of ahavat habriyot
“merely” spiritual. He cites Chazal who father did not teach him Torah) or his (love of Hashem’s creations) is bringing them
say: ֹוג ְרֹוה ֵמ ר ֵתֹוי ם ָד ָא ָה ת ֶא אי ִט ֲח ַּ מ ַה לֹוד ָּג, “Caus- rebbe, he should prioritize his rebbe. His closer to Torah (Avot 1:12), and why the righteous
are described as being alive after their death,
ing another to sin is worse than killing father brought him into this world, but his while evil people are described as being dead even
him” (Orach Chayim 670:3). rebbe brings him to the next one. 2 in this world (Berachot 18b). True life is in the
The root of this teaching is the Midrash’s While most enemies of the Jewish people next world. We are alive in this world when we
live in a way that earns us a place in the next one.
explanation of the Torah’s harsh treatment have sought to destroy us, the Greeks tried
of the nations of Ammon and Moav. Sefer to change our identity and the nature of Scan here to join Rabbi Taragin’s
Devarim prohibits marrying converts from our religious conviction. The Chanukah daily Divrei Torah WhatsApp group
these nations – even ten generations after victory was not merely a military victory
their conversion (Devarim 23:4)! The of the few over the many, but a reassertion
Torah even commands us to ignore their of and commitment to our unadulterated
needs and welfare. The Midrash Tanchuma Jewish identity.
explains these verses as referring to a time Chanukah commemoration throughout
of war. While we offer peace to other ene- the generations emboldened our ancestors
mies before declaring war, we make no to resist the temptation to assimilate into
such offer to Ammon and Moav (Pinchas 3). the surrounding culture. It inspires us to Rabbi Reuven Taragin
By contrast, the following verses exhort remain a distinct people committed to our is Educational Director of Mizrachi
and Dean of the Yeshivat Hakotel
Am Yisrael to welcome converts from the Torah and traditions. Overseas Program.
nations of Edom and Egypt, whom we are In recent generations, sustaining our
permitted to marry after only three gener- unique identity has become more difficult. Join me at the
ations. Why do we welcome the converts In many countries, we were freed from World Orthodox Israel Congress Est. 1902
orthodoxisraelcongress.org
of Egypt, a nation that enslaved us and the ghettos and offered acceptance within 120 YEARS OF RELIGIOUS ZIONISM

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