A few years ago Assaf Wole, an Israeli columnist, wrote a
cute piece about two children – one Ultra-Orthodox and one secular –
questioning their fathers about the essence of Chanuka. With his great knack
for satire he portrayed the secular father trying to avoid discussion of the religious
motivation behind the Maccabees’ revolt and the Ultra-Orthodox parent squirming
when his child begins to understand that the righteous Maccabees actually went
to the army. In all seriousness, there is much to be learned from Chanuka as to
the way of life towards which we should be striving.
My father referred me to an article written by Rav Avigdor
Amiel before 1948[1].
Rav Amiel points out a very interesting fact: the only Jewish holiday that
commemorates an event that occurred in the land of Israel is Chanuka! He continues
to argue that the main message to be learned from this holiday is that there was
a time that we lived a natural Jewish life in our own land and that it will one
day return.
What is a ‘natural Jewish life’? It’s living the American
dream – in Israel! It is the harmonious blend of spirituality and materialistic
abundance. It means that all Jews in Israel are entitled to life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness.
I have a great appreciation for religious censorship because
it tends to highlight great books and passages that I would otherwise not be
aware exist. One of my favorites is the Chatam Sofer in his commentary
on tractate Sukka 36a (won’t be found in new editions, but Bar-Ilan’s
Responsa Project has a good old edition that has it).
The Chatam Sofer writes that it is a mitzvah
to work the fields of Israel and gather its produce as the Torah promises great
agricultural abundance and commands us to go out and collect the fruit of our
toil. He claims that just as no one would contemplate giving up wearing tefillin
due to being preoccupied with Torah study, so too there is no concept of bittul
Torah in regards to agricultural activity in Israel. The Chatam Sofer
concludes with suggesting that this concept is valid not only in regards to
agriculture rather to any profession that strengthens Jewish life in Israel. I can definitely understand why this passage was censored…
So, as we cherish the beautiful family moments we share
during candle lighting on Chanukka, let us reflect on the glorious Jewish era
that we were privileged to in the past and that is slowly but surely returning
as you read these lines.
No comments:
Post a Comment