The mitzvah of Ner Chanukah commemorates the miracle of the oil, which symbolizes the triumph of Jewish resilience and faith over the mighty Greek armies of the Seleucid Empire.
After Alexander the Great’s death in 323 BCE, the vast Greek empire fractured into rival factions, with the Seleucids located to the north of Israel imposing their dominance over the Levant.
Setting their sights on Jerusalem, they waged not only a military campaign but also a cultural and spiritual assault against our people, enacting harsh decrees designed to extinguish Jewish religious life.
Our victory was nothing short of miraculous. Against all odds, a small band of devoted warriors overpowered the mighty Seleucid forces. Their triumph marked not only a military success but a spiritual revival, as they reclaimed the Beit Hamikdash, purified it, and rededicated the sacred korbanot.
The victory of the Chashmonaim over the mighty Greek empire was not merely a military success but a moral triumph.
After their defeat, the once-dominant Greek empire entered a swift and irreversible decline. The miracle of the oil symbolized that our defeat of Greece was not just a moment of Jewish resilience but a decisive turning point in humanity’s spiritual history. Soon after these events, the Greek Empire began to crumble, finally disappearing in about 100 years after the Chanukah miracles.
The miracle of the oil is a poignant reminder of the fragility of earthly power when set against the eternal endurance of a people devoted to Hashem and His Torah.
