The story of Hanukkah carries with it an aspect that is not often noticed – the connection between spiritual freedom and political freedom. Ostensibly, these are two separate things – one can be independent on the political and security side and at the same time be enslaved spiritually and mentally, and vice versa.
But it turns out that these two components go hand in hand.
The Hasmonean struggle did not begin with national motives, nor was it born of a desire for political independence. It erupted from the decrees that prevented the people of Israel from remaining faithful to their faith and religion. The goal of the war was to achieve spiritual freedom.
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But from the struggle for religious independence, political independence was ultimately achieved.
The end of the Hasmonean kingdom
This aspect is also reflected in the way we celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah. There was a great military victory here – a handful of guerrilla fighters managed to defeat the huge army of the greatest power in the world at that time. It would seem appropriate to tie the eternal memory of the holiday to the military victory. In fact, the military victory is briefly mentioned in the prayer 'Va’al Nissim,' while the main mitzvah of Hanukkah places the emphasis on a completely different event – the miracle of the jar of oil.
In this way, the Sages sought to instill in generations the recognition that the main struggle of Chanukah was expressed in the spiritual-ethical side, which is symbolized by the jug of oil. The wars and victories came from the power of that 'jug of pure oil,' that point of intense and fervent faith in God, which then erupted in full force.
This point is worth remembering and passing on from generation to generation.
The continuation of the Hasmonean kingdom reflects this truth from the other direction. As long as the spiritual power was intact, the kingdom flourished and prospered. Its decline and collapse began the moment it lost its spiritual-moral power and its independence of consciousness.
When the squinting towards neighboring kingdoms began, alongside internal corruption, at this point the end of the Hasmonean kingdom was sown.
The power to resist pressure
It turns out that among us Jews, there is no physical independence without spiritual independence. The two are interdependent, and when spiritual independence is harmed, by adopting the culture of other peoples and eroding Jewish identity, physical independence quickly erodes and even disappears.
Strengthening Jewish identity is therefore an existential necessity. It is imperative to instill a strong Jewish identity in the hearts of the younger generation, so that they understand the meaning and purpose of Jewish existence. Hanukkah is also a term for education, and it is no coincidence that this holiday emphasizes the participation of children, whether in lighting candles, making sivunim, or in the Hanukkah money given to them.
In today's open world, it is essential to instill in children the meaning of being Jewish. To instill in them Jewish pride, for being links in an ancient golden chain, which begins with our forefather Abraham, and passes through the Hasmoneans and other exemplary figures of our people. Content and meaning must be poured into the fact of their being Jewish.
The more we cling to our Jewish identity and do not pursue the culture of the Gentiles, the more we will know how to repel their pressures. This path will also bring us freedom, political and security independence, and the longed-for peace.
