Hello, I'm writing to correct a common misunderstanding.
Mishnaic and later rabbinical authorities do not discount the miraculous military victories. The institution of the Al-Hanisim liturgy and the acceptance of the book of Maccabees and Josephus Flavius Anitiquities supports this understanding (See the Artscroll pg 33). Rather, the Talmud emphasizes the "miracle of the oil" to teach us the true lesson of Chanukah. The purpose of the conflict was *not* to establish an independent political state - even though the Jewish People achieved political independence years after the miracle of the oil. Six thousand Charedi avreichim, Rabbis and a Kohen Gadol, together, sought *only* to reclaim control of the Beis Hamikdash (to rededicate it). This was the reason they merited miraculous victory. The "miracle of the oil" did not begin with the recapture of the Beis Hamikdash. Rather, the miracle began years before the first Maccabean conflict when the Greeks defiled the Beis Hamikdash (B.H.). They thoroughly defiled the B.H. but "overlooked" the one jug of oil sealed by the Kohen Hagadol (no less). THAT was the real miracle. The oil, having burned beyond its natural span was not that special. This miracle took place every day in the Beis Hamikdash (when it stood). Nor was it necessary for the Jews to use pure oil (Artscroll, 93). It would have sufficed to use the defiled oil. So, why the miracle? To teach us that the **only** thing that makes a difference in life is Torah and Mitzvos (as commanded by G-d). Not ritual customs!! The jug of pure oil was preserved to enable the victorious Jews to merit the mitzvah of menorah lighting to its fullest!! Cheers, Avi Avi Shoub E-libraries Israel Authorized Inmagic Dealer Authorized WebClarity Reseller Authorized VTLS Representative (02) 999-7543 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.e-libraries.co.il =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
