The Torah and Halachic Foundations of Chanukkah: An Exploration of Light, Holiness, and Rededication…The Torah

B"H

From a Torah perspective...

Introduction

The festival of Chanukkah is often celebrated as a rabbinic institution commemorating the miraculous rededication of the Temple and the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks.

However, a deeper analysis reveals that Chanukkah is intricately connected to Torah principles, as outlined in Parashat Tetzaveh, Parashat Tzav, Parashat Shemini, and Parashat Emor. These parashot, while describing the service of the Mishkan and Beit HaMikdash (The Temple), provide a foundational understanding of the themes of light, holiness, and rededication, all of which Chanukkah brings to life.

By tracing these connections, we uncover how the Chanukkah menorah is not merely a rabbinic innovation but a continuation of divine commandments found in the Torah.

The Blessing Over Chanukkah Lights: A Rabbinic Mitzvah Rooted in Torah

The blessing recited before lighting the Chanukkah menorah, "Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Chanukkah light," poses an interesting question.

How can we say "commanded us" when this mitzvah is rabbinic and not explicitly found in the Torah?

The answer lies in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:11, which grants authority to the sages to enact laws and establish practices for the Jewish people.

The rabbis instituted the mitzvah of lighting the Chanukkah menorah to commemorate the miracle of the oil and the rededication of the Temple. Through this rabbinic mitzvah, we fulfill Hashem’s will, as expressed through the Torah.

This blessing reflects the connection between Chanukkah and the eternal themes of divine light and sanctity found in the Torah.

These themes are rooted in the service of the Menorah, the perpetual flame, and the sanctification of the Mishkan and Temple, as detailed in Parashat Tetzaveh, Tzav, Shemini, and Emor.

Now let’s explain the Mitzvoth

Parashat Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-21): The Foundation of Divine Light

Parashat Tetzaveh introduces the mitzvah of kindling the Menorah in the Mishkan:

"And you shall command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil, crushed for illumination, to kindle the lamp continually."

This commandment establishes the Menorah as a symbol of divine light, representing Hashem's eternal presence among the Jewish people. The requirement for pure olive oil emphasizes spiritual purity and devotion, qualities necessary for maintaining this divine connection.

The Chanukkah menorah directly mirrors the Menorah of the Mishkan. The rediscovery of a single sealed jug of pure olive oil by the Maccabees after the desecration of the Temple recalls the purity described in Tetzaveh. Furthermore, the miracle of the oil burning for eight days reinforces the eternal nature of this light, aligning with the Torah’s directive to maintain a continual lamp. Through the Chanukkah menorah, the sanctity and light of the Temple Menorah are brought into Jewish homes, perpetuating the Torah’s ideals across generations.

Parashat Tzav (Leviticus 6:5-6): The Perpetual Flame

In Parashat Tzav, the Torah commands:

"A fire shall burn continually on the altar; it shall not go out."

This perpetual flame represents the unbroken covenant between Hashem and the Jewish people. It symbolizes the constancy of divine service and the eternal connection between heaven and earth.

The miracle of the Chanukkah oil lasting for eight days reflects the same principle as the perpetual flame. Just as the flame on the altar was sustained miraculously by Hashem’s command, the Chanukkah menorah’s light was sustained beyond natural expectations. Both convey the message that divine service is eternal and that Hashem’s providence ensures its continuity, even in times of hardship and defilement.

Additionally, the Chanukkah menorah serves as a spiritual extension of the altar’s perpetual flame. While the altar’s fire was central to the Temple’s sacrificial service, the menorah's light carries the same symbolism of eternal connection and holiness into the Jewish home, especially in the absence of the Temple.

Parashat Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-24): The Eighth Day of Inauguration

Parashat Shemini describes the inauguration of the Mishkan, culminating in the eighth day, when Aaron and his sons began their priestly service. The Torah recounts a miraculous event:

"And fire came forth from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat upon the altar; and all the people saw, sang praises, and fell upon their faces."

The eighth day symbolizes transcendence, moving beyond the natural cycle of seven days into a realm of divine intervention. The fire descending from Hashem signified divine approval and marked the Mishkan as a dwelling place for the Shechinah (divine presence).

Chanukkah parallels the eighth day of Shemini in multiple ways. The festival lasts for eight days, signifying a similar transcendence and divine intervention through the miracle of the oil. Just as the fire in Shemini marked the inauguration of the Mishkan, the lighting of the menorah on Chanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple after its defilement. Both events celebrate the restoration of divine service and the reaffirmation of Hashem’s presence among His people.

Parashat Emor (Leviticus 24:1-4): The Menorah and Sanctity of Time

In Parashat Emor, following the section on Jewish festivals, the Torah discusses the continual lighting of the Menorah:

"Command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure olive oil, beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually… Aaron shall arrange it continually before the Lord from evening to morning, an eternal statute for your generations."

The placement of the Menorah near the Holy of Holies highlights its role in maintaining divine light and guidance. By juxtaposing the Menorah with the festivals, the Torah links the sanctification of time with the sanctification of space.

Chanukkah reflects this connection. Although a rabbinic festival, it sanctifies time through the lighting of the menorah, symbolizing divine light and guidance. The menorah’s light during Chanukkah brings the sanctity of the Temple Menorah into Jewish homes, bridging the gap between the holy and the mundane. Like the festivals in Emor, Chanukkah becomes a time to renew the covenant with Hashem and reaffirm the values of holiness and divine connection.

Unified Themes Across Parashat Tetzaveh, Tzav, Shemini, and Emor

The Torah portions of Tetzaveh, Tzav, Shemini, and Emor collectively establish themes that find their fulfillment in Chanukkah.

Each parashah contributes a unique element to the understanding of divine light, holiness, and rededication:

Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-21): The command to use pure olive oil and kindle a continual lamp provides the foundation for the Chanukkah menorah, emphasizing purity and eternal light.

Tzav (Leviticus 6:5-6): The perpetual flame symbolizes the unbroken covenant and divine constancy, reflected in the miracle of the Chanukkah oil.

Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-24): The eighth day’s divine fire mirrors the eight days of Chanukkah, both marking moments of rededication and divine approval.

Emor (Leviticus 24:1-4): The sanctity of the Menorah and its association with festivals highlight the spiritual role of the Chanukkah menorah in sanctifying time and space.

Together, these parashot reveal that Chanukkah is not merely a historical commemoration but a continuation of the Torah’s eternal principles. The lighting of the Chanukkah menorah brings these themes into daily Jewish life, ensuring that the light of Torah and divine connection remains vibrant across generations.

Conclusion: Chanukkah as a Continuation of Torah Principles

The festival of Chanukkah embodies the Torah’s foundational themes of light, holiness, and rededication. Its connection to Parashat Tetzaveh, Tzav, Shemini, and Emor demonstrates that the Chanukkah menorah is far more than a rabbinic innovation.

It perpetuates the eternal light of the Mishkan and the Beit HaMikdash (The Temple) Menorah, reflects the perpetual flame of the altar, and commemorates the divine intervention and sanctification described in the Torah.

Through the Chanukkah menorah, the sanctity of the Temple is brought into Jewish homes, reaffirming the covenant with Hashem and ensuring the continuity of divine service. Just as the Torah commands the Jewish people to maintain the Menorah’s light and the altar’s flame, the Chanukkah menorah serves as a reminder of the enduring presence of Hashem, even in times of exile and darkness. It is a testament to the unbroken connection between the Jewish people and their Creator, illuminating the path of Torah and mitzvot for all generations.