There is a tradition that Antiochus and the Syrian-Greeks forbade the Jews in the Land of Israel from performing the mitzvot of observing Shabbat, celebrating the new month (Rosh Hodesh), and performing Brit Milah. As a kind of tikkun or antidote to these acts of religious oppression, there is always a Shabbat and a Rosh Hodesh (the month of Tevet) during Hanukkah, and the holiday was established for eight days to commemorate Brit Milah.

Whether or not this teaching is historically accurate is not important – the point is that Hanukkah reminds us of the preciousness of the Torah and its mitzvot, and of the risks our people have taken to preserve them and indeed our entire way of life. That is why the brief Talmudic discussion of the holiday asserts that it was established be-hallel ve-hoda’ah – “for praise and thanksgiving,” and why the ‘Al Ha-Nissim' addition to our daily prayers concludes with the same formulation. We thank and praise God for the true miracle of Hanukkah – the miracle of our very existence.

Hag Urim Sameakh/Happy Festival of Lights!