Chinuch: The Key to Jewish Survival
Yoni Herman
Grade 11 student, Yeshivat Or Chaim
Amidst the fun and joy of Chanukah, we often focus on the theme of Jewish survival. We know that theme regarding many of our holidays: They tried to kill us, we survived (Hashem saved us), let’s eat. But during Chanukah, it’s a little bit different.
The Greeks were very smart about how they went about conquering the world. Instead of destroying everything in their path, they conquered by absorbing and assimilating other nations into Greek-Hellenistic culture (yes, with military might). The empire kept expanding and expanding. And they had a very appealing culture focused on physical pleasure, sports, entertainment and war, with a strong philosophical component as well. But much of their culture was antithetical to Jewish belief and practice. Many Jews stood up for their beliefs and would not assimilate. This led to the Greeks outlawing, with their military might, many Jewish practices including brit milah, shabbat, and learning Torah.
The main battle of Chanukah was fought by continuing on: continuing to practice Judaism, and continuing to learn and teach Torah. For the sake of Jewish survival, we had to make sure that the children knew how to keep the mitzvot and to learn Torah. Chinuch, education, was the key to our victory of Greek assimilation. Chinuch is root of Jewish continuity. And if we pay attention to the letters of the word Chanukah, one might notice that it shares the same root as Chinuch. Chanukah is the holiday of Jewish education, of Jewish continuity.
Let us continue to choose to be proud, practising, learning and teaching Jews! Teach Torah and teach the story ofChanukah to your children, siblings, friends and campers. Tell them with confidence that we can win the war on assimilation and give them the tools to do so. Share a dvar Torah as you watch the candles shine in the darkness this Chanukah and discuss what it means to be a Jew and an eved Hashem.
May we all be Zoche to be as brave and righteous as the Maccabis, and may we hasten the coming our ultimate redemption. Chanukah Sameach.
Find the Light Within
Feiga Werner
Grade 12 student, Ulpanat Orot
Life is overwhelming sometimes. We doubt our abilities and worth, and the world around us feels dark, especially in the winter, when it quite literally is dark. We feel weighed down and lost, and don’t know where to turn. It’s scary then. The darkness of our thoughts seems to give no respite as they unceasingly and coldly chase us.
It’s quite fitting then, that Chanukah takes place during the winter: the festival of lights occurs as the world around us is in its darkest time.
It’s painful when the outside darkness worms its way inside of us, filling us with gloom and self-doubt. We doubt our abilities and worth, questioning our every action to the extreme. As though all the lights have gone out within, we feel flooded with failure. It’s during this time that Chanukah comes to teach a beautiful lesson. It can’t be a coincidence that it’s during this bleak season that we take out our little menorahs and ignite little flames, starting with one, building our way towards eight shining lights.
When all seems dark within, find a light. Find a beauty within yourself and nurture it. Give it life and show yourself the potential that little light has. Be gentle with it and be careful not to extinguish it, whether by accident or on purpose. Then, find another positive attribute within yourself. Let your light shine through. Find your lights and make sure to keep them lit. Uncover your value, because it’s there. Find the light in the darkness. When you find the good within yourself, it will shine out to the world.
May we be able to fill ourselves with light as we welcome the light of Mashiach.
