As we reach the mid-point of the holiday, we reacall that Hanukkah celebrates the re-dedication of the newly liberated Temple, as the word’s literal translation suggests. It also celebrates the spiritual renewal of the community which gathers around that institution and all those who follow in their path.
Having experienced victory, hard-fought and/or miraculously delivered, the people celebrate joyously. They re-enact the sukkot festival which they missed because of the ongoing war. Apparently, they felt so renewed and empowered that they take upon themselves the right to mirror the biblical model of allowing those who missed the first Passover, to celebrate a second one, thirty days after the “right” date. This suggests a kind of spiritual renewal that must have been, for them, as powerful as the Exodus was for the generation that left Egypt.
In fact, they go beyond the re-enactment of the Sukkot festival to placing a brand new holiday on the Jewish calendar – Hanukkah. They appreciate that a new event deserves a new celebration.
Where have you experienced a moment of spiritual renewal this past year? How did you celebrate it? How would you like to, if you have not already done so?