Chanukah, at its core, hinges on a fundamental philosophical difference. It’s a battle between two opposing worldviews.
On one side, we have the Greek perspective: a universe governed by ironclad laws of logic and nature. In this view, the universe operates with a predictable, deterministic order. “What is, is what has to be.” There’s no room for the unexpected, for the miraculous.
On the other side stands the Jewish perspective. We believe that the universe is not a rigid, pre-determined system. Instead, it’s founded upon the will of God, upon love. Creation wasn’t a mere mechanical process; it was an act of divine love, an expression of free will. In this view, “nothing has to be.”
This is where miracles come in.
For the Greeks, a miracle – an extraordinary event that defies the laws of nature – is simply impossible. It’s a violation of the inherent order of the universe.
But for us, miracles are not only possible, but expected. They are a manifestation of God’s love and power, a reminder that the universe is not bound by rigid, predictable laws.
Chanukah, with its rededication of the Temple and the miraculous oil that burned for eight days, serves as a powerful symbol of this belief. It’s a celebration of the unexpected, a defiance of the expected order.
