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There is a closely guarded secret about Chanukah that is rarely discussed: within a generation, the heroes of Chanukah, the Maccabees, became so consumed with their successes and their apparent ability to bring about miracles that they persecuted those who disagreed with them, even their fellow kinsman. Though it is a secret, it’s actually right there in the open as we begin the retelling of the story of Chanukah:

“A Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer a sacrifice upon the altar in Mod’iin, according to the king’s command. When Mattathias saw it, he burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. He gave vent to righteous anger: he ran and killed him upon the altar.” (1 Maccabees 2:23-24).

One can easily see similarities from this day of our past to our existence today. There are those who believe that faith means that they are right and all others are wrong. There are those who always burn with righteous anger and who would kill those who disagree with them. There are those who can only be right if all others are wrong. And then there are those who believe that faith is meant to inspire, to call us to do better, to bring a measure of healing rather than anger into our world.

The list of those who see faith as a fire that must consume all non-believers is far too long. Let us resolve on this Chanukah to be among those who instead use faith to warm those around us.

Wishing you a Happy Chanukah and a Shabbat Shalom,

Brad