Hanukkah, a different side of the story

Saturday at sundown marks the beginning of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Light. There are many cultures that have a "festival of light", Christmas began as one, and pagans celebrate the solstice as a festival of light. The Romans had Saturnalia.  December 21 (or thereabouts), may be the shortest and therefore darkest day of the year, but as the next day dawns, light starts creeping back into the world. We have a little more daylight each day until we reach the summer solstice (in the northern hemisphere).

When you delve into learning about religions and the history surrounding them, you see them from a whole different perspective. You see the connections to other faiths, you see where differences lie, and sadly you see a lot of war. Many places, many reasons, every religion.

I had heard the stories of the Maccabees and how they fought for their religious freedom. I knew how they had won a battle and reclaimed the Temple. They went to clean and restore it and found that the little oil left in the lamps that were next to empty, lasted for 8 days. Thus we have the festival of light, Hanukkah, that lasts 8 days. A candle is lit each night to celebrate this religious victory.

Since there are many "festivals of light", and they go back to the winter solstice, I am sure much of it was wrapped around the old beliefs (solstice celebrations), after all, at this time religion was in flux, Christianity was not established yet, there were many celebrating the old ways, gods and goddesses. When I was studying for my doctorate I heard a very different take on things, and one of the advisers said to remember that when you hear a story, it depends on if you are hearing it from the winning side or the losing side. It depends on if you are hearing it from the person who was miles from the battlefield or deep inside it. They will have different perspectives, beliefs, and come with a different set of tools to process everything.

The most surprising part she told me is that the story of the Maccabees isn't part of the Torah. The Torah is the Jewish scrolls that govern the religion and its' history, it is basically the Old Testament of the Bible. I would have figured that out for myself if I would have thought about it, because I knew that New Testament books, and information are not in the Torah.Depending on your version of the Bible, the information is different, so stepping outside the religion, of course things will be different. You can read about the Maccabees in Hebrews (New Testament)...but the interesting part of all of this is that when the story as history is told, not the story as religion, it is a different story.

I did some research this year as Hanukkah is just around the corner, and as with most religious stories, it wasn't exactly the way it went. The history of religion is filled with bloodshed, and this "battle" wasn't quite the "fight for religious freedom", that it is touted to be. A Jewish scholar named Shawna Dolansky (yes she is Jewish), even called the Maccabees "religious terrorists". Once I read the history, I had to agree.

The story in the "pretty version" is the Jewish people, as represented in the story as the Maccabees, began an uprising for religious freedom. However, they did not simply fight against the King, but everyone who wasn't a Maccabee (religious priestly class). They not only fought, killed and tortured non Jews, but other Jews as well. This was not a Jewish revolt, but a revolt by a small group of Jews. It was ugly. The ugliest part was the Maccabee Jews killing other Jews becasue the majority of Jews wanted to assimilate into the King's way of doing things. Maybe they had a point in wanting to keep their religion pure, but then we have to say the same about the Muslim extremists today (see it IS all in the perspective).

The Maccabbes killed other Jews and performed forced circumcisions on them (OUCH, I can't imagine that went well). They forced those who were reforming their religion, to worship in their way of doing things. Once they won the war and their " religious freedom ", they didn't stop, they then forced everyone else to do as they did, in essence taking away THEIR religious freedom. They were priests and religious zealots (which is never a good thing in  any religion), who imposed their will on others. You can see them as religious terrorists or pious men who saved their original religion. Either way , they killed people and forced them to believe as they did, and I have a very hard time with that.

The Talmud introduced the story as a dedication ( the word Hanukkah means dedication),of the Temple 600 years after the fact. This is where the oil story gets introduced. Many scholars believe it was a story invented by the Rabbis, as it was never mentioned before that time. They believe that this way  it is a story of the power of God, not a story of a bunch of religious fanatics killing others.

The stories of religion are usually ones of hate, negativity, and bloodshed. It is so ironic, and the story here isn't to put down the Jews, but to show how things can get presented the way those in power of the religion want you to see it. This tactic doesn't just limit itself to religion.

The message here is not really about Hanukkah, but about looking at things carefully. Making sure that you see the other side of the story (or all three....), and making sure that you are not led into believing something that isn't entirely true. It is about research. A few years ago Biblical scholars wouldn't dare say things like "Jesus was probably married", or "the Maccabees killed more fellow Jews than others". They would be ostracized, and worse. Today the information and the tools to gain it are out there. It is hard to refute it,  and people can still continue to believe as they wish. We have religious freedom in this country (not every country does), and we have access to a vast array of knowledge. Use it.

This doesn't just pertain to religion, but to every aspect of your life. Today there are multitudes of people who spread all kinds of nonsense through the internet and unfortunately many who believe what they write. Monday I will write about "Catfish", and give you an idea of the senseless craziness that goes on via the internet, and why it is important to not buy into others stories, beliefs, and agenda, but to listen, research (and research the RIGHT way), and make an informed decision. You cannot make an informed decision after reading an email, looking at a Facebook posting, or even (GASP) a blog. RESEARCH!

Meanwhile, I can not look at Hanukkah the same again, but at least I see the other side of the coin now, and to me that is fascinating, as it just goes along the same historic path many other religious stories have.


Research, learn and grow!




Peshaui Wequashimese




(2012) Dr R M Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.