By Rabbi Levi Greenberg
On Dec. 8, the world woke up to the news that the over half-century Assad regime in Syria no longer existed. Two weeks earlier it was one of the most formidable enemies on Israel’s border, backed by major countries and a veritable lynchpin in Iran’s axis of evil threatening to throttle Israel. And within days it simply disintegrated.
There is no telling what the power vacuum will bring, and the types of policies the rebels will pursue. But without engaging in punditry — for which I have no credentials — I’d like to dwell on the fact that an evil regime, that seemed stable to every intelligence agency in the world, fell apart like a house of cards with no resistance.
On Wednesday, Dec. 25, the eight-day festival of Chanukah will begin. It commemorates when the Seleucid Empire conquered the land of Israel over 2,000 years ago and commenced a tyrannical campaign of persecution against the Jews. They outlawed Jewish education, and many religious practices and seized and defiled the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, effectively dismantling organized Jewish life. It was a time of darkness and despondency.
A small group of devout Jews – commonly known as the Maccabees — revolted and miraculously liberated the land from the occupiers. When they prepared to rededicate the Holy Temple service of lighting the seven-branched candelabrum — the menorah — they found only one night’s supply of ritually pure olive oil and replenishing the supply would take eight days.
With complete trust in G-d, they lit the menorah and the seven flames miraculously burned for eight days and nights.
In celebration, Chanukah was born. Instead of focusing on the military victory, the eight-day festival is observed by kindling flames for eight nights in commemoration of the miracle of the oil.
However, whereas the same amount of candles were lit in the Holy Temple every day in broad daylight, the holiday observance was instituted so that every individual lights an increasing amount of candles, in their home, specifically after dark.
The ancient story of Chanukah and its commemoration through lighting flames in the menorah serves as an analogy of the struggle between good and evil for all time, expressing the physics of these two forces.
Although evil may seem like a formidable and intimidating force, it is inherently brittle and corrupt; even just one flame of goodness can banish it all. And one flame brings more flames, replacing the greatest darkness with brilliant light.
Evil is dangerous and must be confronted and destroyed. But knowing the inherent advantage of good over evil, like the power of light over darkness, allows us to approach the struggle with joyful confidence. The historic events in Syria this month illustrate how inherently weak evil is, and that its eventual demise is inevitable.
We can apply the same lesson to personal struggles as well. Never identify with negative traits or vices, because their presence is as permanent as a row of dominoes. One positive good deed, spoken word or even thought can set off a chain reaction to knock down all the nonsense and replace it with divine serenity, goodness, and purpose.
Even one flame can do it. Try it. It works.
Chanukah (which begins on Wednesday, Dec. 25, in the evening and concludes on Thursday, Jan. 2) is observed by lighting the menorah each night, reciting special prayers, eating traditional foods, and participating in family and community celebrations. Learn more about the holiday at chabadelpaso.com/chanukah
Best wishes for a joyous and illuminating Chanukah!
Levi Greenberg is associate rabbi at Chabad Lubavitch of El Paso.
The post Opinion: Chanukah’s timeless and timely message is that evil can be defeated appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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