| Okay, all you scholars of Jewish history, the Rabbi | | | | Holy name of God, and Hannah stood and |
| has a question for you. What does it mean to be | | | | watched as each one was killed.. She could have |
| a hero? In the famous Hanukkah story, which we | | | | told them to give in to the Romans, but she did |
| all know and love; the story of Judah Maccabbee | | | | not. Our Tradition is filled with examples of those |
| and his family who fought and defeated the | | | | who chose to die as Jews rather than to live as |
| Syrian-Greeks and rededicated the Temple; the | | | | apostates. The Ten Rabbis who were executed |
| tiny little cruise of oil which was only supposed to | | | | by the Romans and those brave souls who died |
| last for one day but lasted for eight days; the | | | | on Masada remind us always of the need to |
| piercing story of Hannah and her sons who died | | | | protect our Jewish identity, no matter what. |
| rather than profane the Holy Name of God; in | | | | But my own personal choice for the Hero of |
| that famous story, who was the hero? Who | | | | Hanukkah is the priest who lit the menorah in the |
| exhibited the most courage? | | | | Temple KNOWING that there was only enough oil |
| Well, you could say that all of them were heroes, | | | | for one day. He knew this oil had to last for eight |
| and to a degree you would be right. Judah and his | | | | days, because that is how many days earlier |
| brothers showed physical bravery against the raw | | | | Temple Dedications had lasted. He knew he did |
| physical power of the opposing armies. They | | | | not have enough oil, and he lit anyway. How could |
| fought well, they were brave and we remember | | | | he do this? He had faith that somehow, in a way |
| them with affection and with pride. It is perhaps | | | | that even he did not know at that time, |
| no accident that when we Jews, be it in the State | | | | somehow a miracle would happen and there |
| of Israel or the Diaspora, schedule Olympic-type | | | | would be enough oil. The easiest thing for him to |
| events, they are almost always called the Maccabi | | | | have done would be not to light the menorah, and |
| Games or the Maccabiah. We venerate the | | | | probably no one would have criticized him. But he |
| efforts shown by the Maccabees, and we honor | | | | did not take the easy way out. He had faith, he lit |
| them in this moving way. | | | | the menorah, and the miracle happened. |
| Hannah and her sons were also heroes-the sons | | | | Miracles happen to those who invite them to |
| refused to renounce their religion and they were | | | | happen. In the time of the Maccabees, and in our |
| willing to die as martyrs in order to sanctify the | | | | own time as well. Happy Hanukkah! |