Thursday Dec 06, 2007

My Hanukka, Your Hanukka

Posted by Rabbi Michael Marmur

Mai Hanukka? What is Hanukka? These words are to be found in the classic discussion of the festival in Tractate Shabbat of the Babylonian Talmud. The question is not without reason: in Talmudic times it was a relatively new celebration, and there was no telling it was going to catch on any more successfully than some which didn't stand the test of time ? just think, if things had worked out differently we might have been shopping for gifts for Nicanor Day.

What is Hanukka? How are we to understand its significance? In an excellent article published this week in a major Israeli daily, my colleague Rabbi Gilad Kariv, a brilliant young Israeli Reform rabbi, offers a compelling and relevant reading. Gilad, like others who espouse a liberal philosophy of Judaism, is not threatened by the notion that there is historical change within Judaism, or that our culture is constantly soaking in influences from outside. On the contrary: far from being threatened by this fact, he is emboldened and inspired by it.

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Reform Reflections Dean of the Jerusalem school of the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, Rabbi Michael Marmur, scrutinizes contemporary spiritual issues.

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Shalom, Cherry Hill, NJ: Hi, Jason, I agree with you that my suggestion is, in fact, pure speculation and not scientifically verifiable. As long as I'm speculating--it could also be that the Chareidi model is more approptiate for the galut, and less so for living in Israel, where it is impractical if practiced by too many people. After all, even in the time of Moshe and the Beit Hamikdash, some Jews had to do the fighting. But then, maybe G-d wants us to emulate Baskin & Robbins with all the flavors, as long as they're kosher!! Best wishes, Shalom

Jason: Shalom (99), I adopt a Maimonidean view of God in which he does not advance anyone's interests per se, but provides us with free choice to pursue whatever we wish to accomplish in our lives. He may guide us through the Torah, but does not intervene in the manner you have articulated. Your suggestion in any event is pure speculation & not scientifically verifiable. If God has designed this "temporary bubble" as you state, then he is also behind the rampant poverty among Charedim today. Perhaps then he is sending them a message? I think not, only to the extent that unemployment breeds poverty.

Avrohom - Israel: Jason has a common problem. His complaints have turned into excuses rather than opportunities. He has been unable to succeed at becoming the thing he demands of others, so he finds shelter in ridicule. The answer is to become the gadol and affect the changes he believes to be correct. Of course, that requires work and dedication. it is easier to ridicule & slight & hide behind preceived shortcomings in others just to mask his own shortcomings; a typical response. Jason is an example of one for whom there are no answers because he really has no questions. There are only answers to questions.

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