THE TANACH STUDY CENTER www.tanach.org In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag Shiurim in Chumash & Navi by Menachem Leibtag CHANUKA its Biblical roots -(abstract) It is commonly understood that we celebrate Channuka on the 25th day of Kislev because on this day the Hasmoneans completed their defeat of the Greeks and lit the menorah in the Temple. As we will see, this special date bore immense historical and religious significance long before the Maccabees. Within a century after the Babylonian exile, the Persian king Cyrus conquered the Babylonians and issued a declaration allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and build the Temple. Only a small percentage heeded the call and returned, and the tiny group managed to build only the altar, not the entire Temple. Finally, some eighteen years later, the prophet Chagai urges a more active effort to construct the Temple. On the twenty-fourth of Kislev, the prophet issues two prophecies. The first promises economic prosperity as a result of the construction effort, as opposed to the dismal conditions suffered heretofore. The second, directed to the Jewish governor, Zerubavel, foresees Jewish independence, the "shaking of heaven and earth" and "overturning of the thrones of kingdoms." God vows to "destroy the might of the kingdoms of the nations" and "overturn chariots and their drivers" (Chagai 2:21-23). The Jews heed the call, and, as Chagai 2:15 implies, they begin laying the bricks of their new Temple on the 25th day of Kislev! Unfortunately, however, the grandeur spoken of by Chagai never materialized. The Jews failed to meet the conditions set by Chagai's contemporary, the prophet Zecharya: "… if only you heed the voice of Hashem your God" (Zecharya 6:15). The Jews therefore lived under foreign rule for the next two hundred years, until the period of the Hellenists. As we know, the Jews in Israel suffered religious persecution from the Greek government and launched a successful revolt. For the first time in several hundred years, since the rise of the Babylonian Empire, the Jews had a sovereign state. We can well imagine what went through the minds of the Hasmonean victors: Chagai's prophecy had, once in for all, come true. The miracle of the menorah only reinforced this sentiment. Zecharya's pivotal prophecy included a vision of a menorah, which symbolizes the religious spirit through which Jewish sovereignty will return: "Not with strength and not with might, but rather with My spirit" (Zecharya 4:6). The Book of the Maccabees I (4:36-60) implies that the Hasmoneans intentionally scheduled the rededication of the Temple for the 25th of Kislev. Many years earlier, this day marked the beginning of the process inspired by Chagai's promising prophecy. Undoubtedly, the Hasmoneans viewed their victory as the long-awaited fulfillment of the national dream triggered by Chagai's prophecy. As the years passed, however, the spiritual character of the Hasmonean dynasty began deteriorating. The Sages feared the growing neglect of Zecharya's prophecy, the critical and eternal message of "spirit over strength." As the Jewish State grew too proud of its independence and achievements, the concern arose that the central message of Channuka would be lost. This perhaps explains Chazal's emphasis on the miracle of the oil (Shabbat 21b). They wanted to ensure that people recall the Hasmonean victory primarily for its spiritual quality, the restoration of the sanctity and glory of the Bet Hamikdash. The majesty of Chagai's prophecy must work hand-in-hand with that of Zecharya: we maintain our independence not through "strength and might," but rather through our devotion to God. [Abstract by David Silverberg]