The miraculous victory of few brave G-d fearing Hasmonean against many war trained Greek soldiers that lead to the re-establishment of the Temple worship is well known. However, our sages emphasised that Chanukah celebration should be based on the miracle of the olive oil that lasted for 8 days instead of one. The main reason for this is that we should remember that we are spiritual people, not people of physical might. Our strength, as ordained by the Almighty, is not the physical, not the superficial beauty. Such attributes were those of the Greek, and later of the Romans. Our eternal strength is the Torah, the written law, and the oral law; the Mishnah and Talmud. When we learn Torah and keep its Mitzvot - commandments, we derive infinite strength from the heavenly pool of blessings and might of Hashem, the King of kings. The Chanukah story, the Purim story and many other stories are a living proof of this thesis.

So, let us examine the Chanukah story from several angles and make some connections.

The word Cha-N-U-K-Ah comes from the root Lechanekh - to teach [Torah], Lachanokh - to consecrate [the Temple]. Cha-N-U-K-Ah stands for Chankhu [they - the Hasmonean, consecrated the Temple], Nitzchu [won the battle], Vehikhilu [and gathered the Jews to follow the Torah], Kevod Hashekhinah [{for}the honour of the Divine Presence].

Chanukah with the letter Vav (U) in the middle has the numerical value of 89. This is also the numerical value of each of the following 3 Hebrew words; Pada [He, the Almighty, liberated His people], Hachalom [a hint to the dream of Joseph - Parashat Vayeshev, which coincides with Chanukah], Golan [the location from which some of the Greek and Syrian legions came to fight the Hasmonean]. The total of 8 plus 9 is 17; the numerical value of the word Tov - good. Chanukah, without the Vav in the middle gives the total numerical value of 83. This is equal to the value of each of the following Hebrew words; Halechem [the {holy} bread in Bet Hamikdash - the Temple], Ba’avodah [in the worship of Hashem], Behimol [with {Jewish} circumcision]. The Greek of the past tried then, and the anti Jews of today, try to keep us away from these 3 central pillars of Judaism. 8 and 3 is 11; the numerical value of the word Chag - festival [of Chanukah]. 

The Hebrew word for Hasmonean - Cha-Sh-M-O-Na-Y, in the singular, stands for; Chodesh [Rosh Chodesh; keeping the Mitzvah of sanctifying the new moon], Shabbat [keeping the Sabbath], Mila [circumcision], Umekimehem [and those who resurrected these commandments], Nitzchu [beat] Yevanim [Greek].

Jews today should realise that the lessons of Chanukah are for all generations to learn from. This is not merely a distant history lesson, but a lesson for today.

The Greek (foreign) culture was very strong then, and is very strong now. Outside influences are very attractive to the young and older generations who find it easy to assimilate. It is horrifying that since the second world war we have lost something like 6 millions Jews to assimilation; a holocaust of a different kind! 

So, where does Yosef Hatzadik - Joseph the righteous, fit into all this in Parashat Vayeshev? Do you remember the extremely strong temptations Yosef had to withstand from the wife of his master (Potifar) who tried to seduce him? In Egypt then, just as it is in today’s modern life, there are many temptations. Even Yosef, with his tremendous strength against the evil inclination (Yetzer Harah), had to have his father’s vision appearing in front of him to remind him of his duties as a Jew. As our fathers today are not of the calibre of Jacob, we can only rely on our father in heaven and follow the example of the Tzadikim (righteous ones). The way to connect ourselves to them is to learn Torah, but equally it is important to learn about their amazing lives of self nullification and sacrifice for their fellow Jews. Rabbi Akivah, and the sages before and after him already taught us that brotherly love is a key to redemption. And if you do not believe this, then look at the story of the sale of Yosef, and how much suffering and exile befell upon the Jews because of this deed. The 10 Tzadikim - righteous ones who died in the hands of the Romans (Asarah Harugei Malkhut), represent another consequence of the sale of Yosef. 

Yosef in his time, and the Hasmonean some 1500 years later, proved that we the Jews are like oil which cannot mix with water - the nations of the world. The numerical value of the word Chashmonay is 415. The same is also the numerical value of each of the following Hebrew words; Hamishkan [the Tabernacle], LePotifar [to Potifar - Yosef master in Egypt], Hashmini [the eighth day in which a Jewish child should be circumcised, and 8 days of Chanukah], Hakadosh [the holy].

Pure olive oil (which was used to light the Menorah in the Temple) is in Hebrew Shemen Zayit Zakh. The oil is Hashemen. The same letters make the words Neshamah (soul), and Mishnah are also within the word Chashmonay - Hasmonean. The verse from Mishlei (Proverbs, 20, 27) says: “Ner Hashem - Nishmat Adam Chofes Kol Chadrei Baten”: Man’s soul is the candle of G-d, searching all inner parts of the belly. In Proverbs 6, 23, it is written “Ki Ner Mitzvah veTorah Or”; For the commandment is a candle and the Torah is light.

Olive oil is good for the heart and the mind, for healthy circulation, for healthy digestion, and is helpful against arthritis. Just as pure olive oil is healthy for us so the light of the Torah and Menorah is excellent for our souls. This is a complete Holistic concept.

May it be the will and deeds of the Almighty that this year will be the one in which His eternal and infinite light will shine upon us to take us from the darkness of exile into Jerusalem to celebrate in the re-built Temple altogether, Amen.