Page 40 - HaMizrachi Chanukah 5783 USA

Chanukah 2.0

Miriam White

elebrating Chanukah is so familiar masses have little enthusiasm, less spirit, and on the Arch of Titus, a peculiar choice crit-
– the Hallel, menorah lighting, suf- no patience… icized by former Chief Rabbi Isaac HaLevi
ganiyot and family time – it’s easy Herzog, who said, “Apparently foreign
Cto forget just how surprising it is We therefore celebrate Chanukah in honor of the hands have been involved, and it is not
Maccabean achievement of rededication, while
that we celebrate Chanukah as a festival at we have no comparable holiday commemorat- all in accordance with the sacred text”.
all! Why do we observe such a significant ing Solomon’s achievement. We give historic Despite the critique, I believe the menorah
holiday commemorating the rededication reward for the zeal of undertaking a task which depicted on the Arch of Titus and featured
of the Temple, when we don’t have a holi- would no doubt have frightened weaker souls in the official symbol of the State of Israel
day to celebrate its initial dedication during and dissuaded them by the threat of faded glory, reveals a message of rebuilding. What once
the time of Shlomo HaMelech? In fact, most tired emotions, and secondhand sentiment.” was lost and destroyed will be rebuilt. To
people don’t even know the original date of celebrate Israel, as it enters its 75th year, is
the Temple’s dedication. Why do we place With these powerful words Rabbi Lamm to celebrate the greatest act of rebuilding
so much significance to the rededication inspires us to think about Chanukah as in human history. Reflecting on the meno-
of the Temple? the holiday of rebuilding, when we remem- rah of the Arch of Titus, we are inspired by
ber that it is possible, with heroic effort, the message of Chanukah – knowing that
In an essay written by Rabbi Norman to rebuild that which has been destroyed. we too have arisen from destruction and
Lamm, “On Being Too Practical” (January Innumerable times throughout the millen- exile to return to our Land.
2, 1960), he offers a beautiful explanation: nia, our people have thrived, created and
ֶ
built, only to see it cut down by enemies הֶּז ַה ן ַמְּז ַל ּונ ָעי ִג ִה ְו ּונ ָמְּי ִק ְו ּונָי ֱח ֶה ׁש
“... the answer, my friends, lies in the differ- who seek to destroy us. Somehow, with
ences between building and rebuilding, between extraordinary heroism, our forefathers
constructing and reconstructing, between ded- and foremothers continuously got back World Finance Magazine
icating and re-dedicating. When there is a new up, repaired the damage and rebuilt.
movement, a new campaign, a new idea, a new
vision, anything that has with it the power of In the days before the declaration of the
novelty, then it is almost assured of freshness State of Israel, one small yet significant
and vigor and enthusiasm. The decision to build decision remained undecided. What would
something new is not a spiritually difficult be the official symbol of the new State? A
committee was set up to receive sugges-
achievement. Everyone is anxious, everyone is tions, and over 450 ideas were submitted,
aroused, everyone excited. The people involved including the magen David and the hamsa.
in such a project generally move forward with Ultimately, Gavriel and Maxim Shamir of Miriam White
a great surge of strength and spirit. But the Shamir Brothers Studio were selected as is a Mashgicha Ruchanit at Midreshet
decision to rebuild, that is far more difficult. the designers of the State of Israel’s offi- TVA in Yerushalayim. Before making
Aliyah she worked as the Director of
To approach a rubble and try to make of it a cial symbol. Their initial design featured Religious Guidance at YUHSG (Central)
habitable home; patiently to pick up the pieces a menorah with the Star of David hanging and as assistant director of NCSY GIVE.
of the past and paste them together; to take the over each branch, two olive branches
tattered ruins of a former majesty and some- on the side, and the name Israel on the Join me at the
how restore them; to patch together what time bottom. In the end, the menorah chosen World Orthodox Israel Congress Est. 1902
orthodoxisraelcongress.org
and circumstance have ravaged - for this the for the design was the menorah depicted 120 YEARS OF RELIGIOUS ZIONISM

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