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Two miracles happened in the story of Chanukah. First, the small and weak army of Jews won against the numerous and well-equipped armies of the Syrian Hellenists. Second, after the desecration of the Temple, the Jews found a little pure olive oil to light the Menorah, which while it was enough only for one day, lasted for 8 days.
There is something surprising and interesting in the way we celebrate Chanukah. The lighting of the candles reminds us only of the miracle of the oil! We do not do something special to remember the victory, which made the lighting of the Menorah possible! Where did the remembrance of the victory disappear?
The answer is found in the cause of the war. The Jews did not wage war because they wanted to get rid of their conquerors and be physically free. They fought because they were forbidden to keep the Mitzvot. They wanted to have spiritual freedom. The physical war came as a consequence of the spiritual resistance.
The real victory, the spiritual one, was expressed in the lighting of the Menorah with pure oil, and this is why we celebrate the holiday (only) by lighting candles.
There is a deeper meaning. The war victory was indeed a miracle, but the purpose of our existence in this world is to light it up with good deeds – Mitzvot. This is why celebrating and remembering the miracles of Chanukah is done with the lighting of the candles, with the increase of light in the world.
Shabbat Shalom,
Arie from the Yeshiva
