Chanukah is here again-probably the most famous of all Jewish holidays. Actually, it has traditionally been considered a “minor holiday” in the Jewish calendar: the holiday was not mandated by the Torah but established by the rabbis, we are allowed to work and pursue ordinary activities during these days (although we are encouraged not to work while the Chanukah menorah is burning), and there is no festive meal associated with Chanukah (although it is traditional to eat special foods such as latkes-fried potato pancakes, jelly doughnuts and diary foods).
However, this “minor holiday” continues to take on added significance and is now considered to be a “major holiday.” I don’t believe that there is any coincidence that holy writings tell us that when the Moshiach (the person who will redeem the world) comes, the main Jewish holidays will be Chanukah and Purim rather than Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Passover, and the fact that “Chanukah” is more “famous” than our other holidays to the rest of the world. It might be a sign that the coming of Moshiach is imminent, that the world is changing to prepare for the revelation of a better time.
What are some similarities between Purim and Chanukah, these two holidays that will be the main holidays when the Redemption has come? They both represent triumph over evil. The story of Chanukah involves a fight against the Syrian Greeks who were determined to wipe out Jewish observance and tried to forbid Jews from learning Torah and keeping commandments. Purim is associated with the defeat of the wicked Hamman (who like Hilter-many his name be erased- wanted to kill all Jews). Today’s celebration of these holidays takes on an added significance as we are faced with terror attacks against our synagogues and hostels and as there sits a modern-day Hamman in Iran (in the same country inhabited by the original wicked man) who wants to wipe Israel off the map, G-d forbid.
But just as we triumphed in ages past, so G-d willing, we can win again, not with weapons, but with light and goodness. I am happy to report that the Holtzberg family is planning to take 100 guests with them to the Mumbai, to make a parade around the Jewish sites in the area and to light a large public menorah, just as their beloved Gabriel and Rivky (may their memory be a blessing) Holtzberg did every year. A neighbor asked me,”How could they go back to Mumbai so soon? Aren’t they afraid?” Chanukah teaches us not to be afraid but to fight darkness with light, and in a place where everything seems to be broken, to rebuild.
The man who is assuming the leadership of Chabad in Mumbai is Rabbi Goldberg, a close friend of the Holtzbergs. He identified the corpses (the doctor was too traumatized to speak about the condition of the bodies of the deceased) and yet he insists on taking the lead to rebuild what the terrorists tried to destroy.
Every Jew is like a Maccabee, the soldiers who defeated the armies of evil, and when you light your menorahs tonight, remember every good thing you do is a victory of light over darkness.