Hanukkah is viewed as a trivial celebration, enlarged so
Jewish children would not feel left out during the Christmas season. In
reality the story of Hanukkah marks a pivotal moment in mankind's history.
The belief in monotheism hung in the balance. The story of
Hanukkah unfolded at a time in history where only one nation out of the
community of nations believed in one God.
There
were cracks in that belief. The cracks created by a split between the
Hellenists, assimilated into the then dominant Greek culture, and the
Traditionalists, determined to maintain Jewish law. Among the
Hellenists was the top Jewish religious figure, the High Priest.
Comporting with his Hellenistic views, The High Priest introduced idols
of Greek gods into the Holy Temple. A civil war broke out. The
traditionalists prevailed. The Temple was
cleansed, the alter rebuilt, and the menorah above the alter lit.
Monotheism was saved, along with Christianity that followed two centuries
later.
Once
again the clarion call of Judaism could be heard throughout the world --
"Hear, oh Israel, The lord Our God, the Lord is one. Embedded within
that clarion call is the message that the universe emanating from God is one.
We are all one. All created in the image of God.
The
message of unity is part of the biblical requirement to remember the stranger as we were once
strangers in a strange land. The message that we are all the same is part
of The Declaration of Independence. "We hold these truths to be sell
evident, that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable rights ..." These truths animated those in the Civil
Rights movement to risk their lives for justice.
Our
country has gone through a bitter and ugly presidential election with the
aftermath continuing to divide our country. It is my hope that in these
dark days the lights of Christmas and the candle lights of the Menorah inspire
us to remember that no matter what political views we hold, we are united in a
profound way by our common humanity. We can disagree with others without
being disagreeable. We can believe that another's political beliefs are
wrong without believing that the other's views mean that they are deplorable.
And
with that, have a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah.
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