The Mishna teaches, ‘Be bold as a leopard… and strong as a lion, to do the will of your Father Who is in Heaven.”
Lions and Leopards
The Chidushei Harim1 explains that in terms of character, a Jew is inherently as strong as a lion. However, if he falls and loses his natural strength due to a difficult challenge, he must be bold as a leopard. A leopard is not physically as strong as a lion, but his bold confidence allows him to stand up against anything. If a person uses boldness in holy matters and in his personal aspirations, pushing against any deterrent in serving Hashem (God), Hashem will give him the strength of a lion, enabling him to overcome difficulties.
When one feels that he does not have the strength to overcome challenges, he can tap into his or her own inner courage, and Hashem will help and give him the power to rise above the situation.
Learning From The Greeks
In the time of the Chanukah story, the Greeks were brazen in a negative way, but the Chashmonaim (Hasmoneans/Maccabees) took this trait of brazenness from them, and used it for the good, acting like a bold leopard.
The Chashmonaim were few and seemingly weak, and they knew that according to the natural course of events they would have no chance of defeating the Greeks. Nevertheless, they fought against them with courage and boldness, and in the merit of this “holy chutzpa”, assistance came to them from Above, giving them the power to win. This unique ability is transmitted throughout the generations, to this day. A Jew can stand with boldness against obstacles, and then Hashem gives the ability to overcome them.2
The Chashmonaim used the quality of “bold as a leopard” to defeat a much stronger enemy. When we are courageous in the face of seemingly impossible challenges, Hashem gives us the strength to succeed.
The Miracle of The Oil-Flask
Lighting the Menorah was part of the daily service in the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple). The Talmud states: “What is Chanukah? As the Rabbis taught: On the 25th of Kislev are the eight days of Chanukah… because when the Greeks entered the Heichal (chamber of the Beit Hamikdash which housed the Menorah) and contaminated all of the oils that were in the Heichal, and when the kingdom of the House of Chashmonai (Hasmonean/Maccabee) overpowered and defeated them, they searched and could only find one flask of oil that was left with the seal of the High Priest on it. It only had enough oil to last one day. A miracle took place, and they used it to light the Menorah for eight days. The following year, the rabbis instituted those eight days as a holiday of praising and thanking Hashem.”
A Little Bit of Good Goes a Long Way!
Although the Chanukah story also included the Chashmonaim’s miraculous victory over the mighty Greeks, the Talmud only mentions that as a side-point, instead focusing on the miracle of the single flask of oil lasting eight days. When lighting the Menorah, we make a special blessing: “Blessed are You Hashem… Who made miracles for our fathers, in those days, at this time”. The Talmud states that although the victory of the Chashmonaim over the Greeks was already completed on the first day of Chanukah, we make this blessing all eight days of Chanukah, because of the miracle of the oil, which lasted eight days.
Why did our sages institute this blessing to commemorate the miracle of the long-lasting oil, a miracle that does not seem relevant to us today, and was not a salvation from danger, but rather only enabled us to fulfill a particular mitzva?
Furthermore, there were many other miracles that occurred regularly in the Holy Temple. Also, many great sages throughout history experienced constant miracles and supernatural wonders, since creation was subservient to those who entirely overcame physicality, as verse says in Yeshaya, “And I have placed my word in your mouth… to implant the heavens and to set a foundation for the earth“. When one devotes himself completely to the word of Hashem, this creates a power to overcome the very nature of the heaven and earth. Out of all of these miracles, why was the miracle of the long-lasting Menorah oil singled out for its own blessing?
An Eternal Lesson
The miracle of Chanukah was not for the salvation of the Jewish nation. It taught a lesson for all generations. The Menorah and its candles represent the Torah – “the Torah is a light“. Our lighting of the Menorah in the Holy Temple represented our acceptance of the Torah from Hashem. The miracle of the oil flask imparts a message.
Some generations may have little connection to Torah, as in the time of the Chanukah story, when many Hellenists chose the Greek way of life over the Torah. Nevertheless, if at least some Torah exists in its purity, Hashem will ensure the endurance of the Torah, even if by miraculous means. This is Hashem’s assurance, that the Torah will never be forgotten. The prophet Yeshaya states:
“I shall await Hashem, who has concealed His face from the House of Jacob, and I will hope to Him. Behold, I and the children whom Hashem has given me are signs and symbols for Israel.”
Yeshaya
Rashi explains that the harshest of all prophecies was what Moshe said “And I [Hashem] will surely have concealed My face on that day“. But on that very same day Moshe said, “it [the Torah] shall not be forgotten from the mouth of its offspring“. “The children” refers to the Torah students, who are dear to Hashem as children. The Torah students will be signs and symbols that the Torah will be upheld through them.
Our Torah Forever!
The enemies of Israel may try to put an end to the Torah, God forbid, but they will not succeed. As long as a small group is able to maintain the Torah in purity, that will bring salvation to everyone; the Torah will live on. After the miracles of Chanukah, the Jews’ connection to Torah strengthened, preparing them for the times of exile. Our sages instituted a special blessing on this miracle, which demonstrated that just as one flask of pure oil lasted eight days, so would a small amount of pure Torah study preserve the Torah for all generations.3
We must never underestimate even the smallest of our deeds. If one flask of pure oil can last eight days, so can every act of connecting to our Creator and our Holy Torah, our personal growth, or helping others, have a lasting influence. A little bit of good can go a long way.
By Shmuel Simcha Sampson
Shmuel Simcha Sampson has been studying Torah in yeshivot in the New York area throughout his childhood, teen, and young adult years. Currently, he is enrolled in a program that focuses on studying Jewish law, in Yeshivat Ohr Reuven, in Monsey, NY. Over the years, he has enjoyed being a TorahMate and tutor for individuals from all walks of life.
Sources:
1 Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Alter, Poland 1799-1866
2 Ohr Gedalyahu, Moadim, pg. 69
3 Mishnat Rebi Aharon, vol. 3, pg. 77-78
