This year, everyone is getting excited about Thanksgivuka, the
fact that Chanuka and Thanksgiving fall out on the same day. After examining
the sources we will find that Chanukah is actually a holiday of thanksgiving
every year.
In the First Book of Maccabees 4:39-59 we read:
Yehuda and his brothers said: “Our enemies have been
defeated, let us go up to
the Beit HaMikdash (
and to rededicate it.” They found the Beit HaMikdash in ruin, the altar
profaned, the gates burnt down, the courts overgrown and the rooms of the
Kohanim in shambles… They purified the Beit HaMikdash, removing the stones which
cluttered it…they took unhewn stones as the law commands and built a new altar
on the model of the previous one. They rebuilt the Beit HaMikdash and restored
its interior and courts. They fixed the sacred vessels and the Menorah to shine
within the Beit HaMikdash. When they had the Lechem HaPanim (Shew Bread) on the
table and hung the curtains, all their work was completed. Then, early on the
25th day of the 9th month, the month of Kislev…it was
rededicated with Psalms of thanksgiving (Hallel), to the music of harps
and lutes and cymbals…then Yehuda and the whole congregation of Israel decreed
that the rededication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness at
the same season each year, for eight days.
After rededicating the Beit HaMikdash, the Maccabees sang
Hallel. They praised God for both the military victory as well as for the
opportunity to rededicate the Beit HaMikdash. Each day of Chanuka we too sing
the Hallel prayer (Psalms of thanksgiving) to thank God for the miracles that
took place.
In addition to reciting Hallel each morning of Chanuka, we
also say the Al HaNisim (For the
Miracles) Prayer immediately following Modim (Thanksgiving Prayer) each time
that we recite the Shmoneh Esrai (Silent Devotion) as well as during Birkat HaMazon
(Grace After Meals). This prayer as well thanks God for the miracles that took
place.
For the miracles and for the salvation and for the mighty
deeds and for the victories and for the battles which You performed for our
forefathers in these days, at this time:
In the days of Matityahu, the son of Yochanan, the Kohel
Gadol, the Chashmonai and his sons- when the wicked Greek kingdom rose up
against Your people Israel to make them forget Your Torah and compel them to
stray from the statutes of Your Will- You in Your great mercy stood up for them
in the time of distress. You took up their grievance, judged their claim and
avenged their wrong. You delivered the strong into the hands of the weak, the
many into the hands of the few, the impure into the hands of the pure, the
wicked into the hands of the righteous and the wanton into the hands of the
diligent students of Your Torah. For Yourself, You made a great and holy Name
in Your world and for Your people
and salvation as this very day. Thereafter, Your children came to the Holy of
Holies of Your House, cleansed it, purified the site of Your Holiness and
kindled lights in the courtyard of Your Sanctuary; and they established these
eight days of Chanuka to express thanks and praise to Your great Name.
When we recite Al HaNisim, we are showing appreciation for
the past victories as well as for the victories that are still taking place.
Although we don’t have the Beit HaMikdash today (the
seen many miracles in our time.
The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 was a
modern miracle and the fact that
also a miracle. Against all odds, the Jewish people are back in the
cities of
and Modiin as well as in modern cities named after the family of Yehuda
Maccabee, Chashmonaim and Maccabim. Can anyone think of a better reason to be
thankful and celebrate?
May we celebrate next year in the Third Beit HaMikdash in