Throughout history, the Jewish people have faced many and varied threats. Some sought to physically destroy the Jews. Some harmed their livelihoods. Some imposed edicts on them to suppress their faith and adherence to their religion. And some tried to corrupt them and cause them to lose their identity and become part of the general culture.
The final threat is actually the story of Hanukkah.
The Greeks' struggle against the Jews did reach its peak in the edicts of Antiochus, but they resorted to this path after the attempt to corrupt the Jews and make them assimilate into Hellenistic culture did not bring the desired results for them.
The Road to a Jewish Future
Previously, a great struggle had taken place within the Jewish people, between the Jews who were faithful to their religion and the Hellenists.
These were modern, progressive young Jews who believed that a segregated people, clinging to old-fashioned traditions, had no future in the modern world. They sought to create a connection between modern Hellenistic culture and Judaism.
But it quickly became clear that this path leads in only one direction – from Judaism outward.
The first generation of Hellenists tried to combine Greek culture with Jewish tradition. The third generation had already kicked Judaism, despised it, and aspired to be Greek in every way. The fact is that there is no trace of them left. Those who returned to being complete Jews survived and integrated into the golden chain of Jewish continuity, and those who clung to Greek culture were completely assimilated and lost to the Jewish people.
We are currently facing the same struggle as Mattathias and his sons, except that this time the struggle is not against the religious decrees of a tyrannical regime, but rather a spiritual-moral struggle.
Even today, there is a temptation to get carried away by the current of global culture that washes over us.
People love the protection of the "herd" from the feeling of being different. What could be simpler than being like everyone else, dressing like everyone else, listening to the same music that everyone else listens to, thinking like everyone else. Why attract special looks and attention? Why can't a Jew eat with everyone else? Why does he suddenly have to pray, and why must he stop the world when the Sabbath or the holiday begins?
But we must remember that this current takes away the most precious thing from us – our Jewishness. Those who drift into world culture may become enlightened and cultured people, earning compliments and status – but they will gradually lose their Jewish identity.
This is precisely the process that afflicts many of our people in the free world.
Remaining values
This struggle is existential. For the Jewish people, it is a matter of being or, God forbid, ceasing.
Happily, we see that the recognition that the original path of the Jewish people must be returned to is slowly permeating. The masses of the people are beginning to understand that our future – as a people and as individuals – lies in the continuity of the Jewish tradition.
When lighting the Chanukah candles, it is worth remembering the eternal lesson. It is very tempting to be part of the larger world, but Jewish existence depends on preserving Jewish uniqueness and stubborn adherence to the Torah and its commandments.
Human values change and evolve, but the values of Judaism remain forever. Happy Hanukkah!
Join the Haredim 10 Facebook page >>
Join the X page of Haredim 10 >>
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
