The Phoenix Jewish news., 1962-12-21
Festival Of Freedom

The word "Chanukah," which means dedication,
does not in itself convey the full significance of
eght-day winter holiday. Even it's other name-the
Feast of Lightsstll misses the hard kernel of the
holidays meaning.
Actually, Chanukah a great festival of freedom,
commemoratng the first time in Jewish history that
freedom attained through courage in battle and
determination to fight for the things hold sacred.
AS celebrate, from the 25th of Kisev (this year
Dec 22 to the End of Teveth Dec 29) for the 2127th
consecutive year should bear in mind the victory of
the Maccabees the Hellenized Syrian oppressors
For in doing will be reaffrmng belief in the
principle that freedom ideal for which Jews have
always been willing to fight and die.
Then, besides celebrating the Jerusalem temples
dedication to the worship of God after deliberate Sy
rian defilement, will also be marking the annver
of masterfu Jewish military operation which ul-
which it had been shrunk to the historical boundaries
established by King David and known ever since
"Eretz Yisrael.'
Every Jewish boy and girl learns how the Macca-
bean struggle began. They hear the familiar story Of
how enraged Mattathas the aging patriarch of the
Hasmonean family killed Jewish traitor for kneeing
before before Greek idol, and how he then turned the
Syrian soldier who ordered the blaSphemy and slew
him as well.
This the spark that gnited Israels first war of
liberation which ultimately brought complete victory
gin with Mattathias impulsve deed many of the Jews
those known then the 'Hassidim''-were already
in armed conflict with the mercenares of Syrian EN-
peror Antlochus ~ because of his despotic rule.
The first Jewish rumblings against Syrian domina-
ton during the turbulent second century (B c. E) be-
guerrilla army The Hassidim confronted Antiochus
troops with armed opposition and constantly seek
ing open battle with them However there was one ex-
ceptlon: the Sabbath The Hassdim refused take up
arms on the Holy Day. many of them preferrng to be
cut down like grain rather than break the Lords com
mandment This their Achilles heel, and the Sy-
rlans were quick to take advantage of it.
The Maccabees did not see it that way however
Ihey insisted that it permissible for Jews to fight
IN sedefense the Sabbath if they faced the aterna
tive of being slaughtered.
:, They also provided the Hassidm with leader the
likes OF whom have been and invaluable in Jewish
history Judah Mattathias' second son, who was sec
ono TO none as commander strategist and fighter He
ied the poorly trained and i-equipped Jewish forces
TO rout the Syrian enemy fearing that Antochus
forces possessed the ultimate in tactical weapons and
were bolstered by the most armor of the day.
elephants. -
And so, at this time of Chanukah, when we light
our candles for eight days and celebrate the ancient
jewish struggle for religious and political freedom
which ended VIGOROUSLY for the Jews we might bear
IN mind that the Jewish struggle for religious and DO
tca freedom has not yet been completely won all over
the world and that the fight continue Let us pray
ana hope that by next Chanukah, Jewish religious and
cultural freedom will have been achieved in Russia and
That the Arab world will have recognized the undispu
ed right OF the State of Israel to exist and prosper as
an independent nation among all the other nations of
the world.