The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and usually falls in November or December. Often called the Festival of Lights, the holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts.
Judah Maccabee and the other Jews who took part in the rededication of the Second Temple witnessed what they believed to be a miracle. Even though there was only enough untainted olive oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, the flames continued flickering for eight nights, leaving them time to find a fresh supply. This wondrous event inspired the Jewish sages to proclaim a yearly eight-day festival.
Just a week ago, the British people (Jews and non-Jews) found themselves face-to-face with yet another Haman in Jewish history. This version of Haman was not born and bred in Persia, nor did he serve the wicked King Achachveiros, but he retained the same barbaric desire of the original Haman in that he burned with an evil passion to eradicate Mordechai and his people.
Yes, folks in the UK in the year 2019 there lived a miscreant named Jeremy Corbyn who was listed as one of the top ten anti-Semites in the world. The election for the leadership in the British House of Commons could have gone either way, with many speculating that Corbyn maintained an excellent chance of significantly diminishing Corbyn’s lead and would most likely prevail in the most consequential elections since the days of Churchill’s rein at 10 Downing Street.
Corbyn routinely called Hamas and Hezbollah his friends. He made promises to recognize the Palestinian Authority as an official government and state and he promised to stop selling armaments to Israel.
Time and time again, Corbyn showed his true colors. Not once has Corbyn condemned Hamas for using Palestinian children as human shields. Not once has Corbyn criticized Mahmoud Abbas for refusing to hold elections as he is currently serving in year 4 of a 14 year term. Not once has Corbyn condemned Iran for calling for “Death to American and Death to Israel”.
Some can argue that Corbyn’s foreign policy doesn’t make him a Jew hater but as his campaign came to an end, he showed his true colors again when he released a video just a week before election day that covered every single race, religion and sex but somehow, left out the Jews.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle incumbent and Conservative Party Leader Boris Johnson was actively campaigning in Jewish communities throughout the campaign and also in the last week of the campaign.
Thankfully, the British people handed the Labor Party a crushing defeat at the polls and sent a strong message to their country’s leaders that socialism and supporting terrorist organizations is not what the overwhelming majority of British people believe in.
After winning the election, Prime Minister Boris Johnson released a series of tweets, statements and a very powerful video directed to the Jewish community on the celebratory occasion of Chanukah. In the video, he states:
“And it is a time to celebrate not just the miracle of the oil but also your unique identity.” He went on to say urge the Jews of the UK to state “I am Jewish and I am proud of it, and that’s really important right now, because I know that recent years have not be easy ones for British Jews” he closed the video by stating “Britain would not be Britain without its Jewish community. And we will stand with you and celebrate with you–at Chanukah and all year round.”
So whether the people of the UK knew it or not, their actions last week were vintage Maccabees and indeed it was a Hanukkah miracle. That was the first Hanukkah miracle of the week.
The next miracle came when President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order combatting the rise of anti-Semitism. Just like when President Trump made the intrepid decision to move the United States Embassy to Jerusalem, or when he made the bold decision to stand up against BDS and anti-Semitism on college campuses. In the Executive Order, President Trump makes it clear that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to anti-Semitic discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.
When enforcing Title VI against covered anti-Semitic discrimination, agencies will consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism as well as the IHRA’s contemporary examples.
President Trump also directed Federal agencies to identify other ways the government can use nondiscrimination authorities to address anti-Semitism. Unfortunately, many Jewish college students don’t feel safe on their campuses. President Trump’s EO further demonstrates his unwavering commitment and that of his Administration to combating all forms of anti-Semitism.
Earlier this year during the 2019 State of the Union, President Trump said: “The vile, hate-filled poison of anti-Semitism must be condemned and confronted everywhere and anywhere it appears.”
With his actions last week, our President showed every single American and especially the Jewish community that he is a man of his word and that his commitment to protecting Jews in America, Israel and around the world is unwavering.
With these Chanukah miracles in the UK and here in the US, we can celebrate knowing that the spirit of Judah HaMacabee is alive and well in 2019. Let us remember the prophetic and passionate words of Dovid HaMelech in the book of Psalms (Tehillim). In chapter 20, (Perek Chuf) we read: Eleh V’Rechev V’Eleh VaSoosim, V’Anachnu B’Shem Elokeinu Nazkir – “They Go Forth with Chariots and Horses, But WE Go Forth in the Name of the Lord our G-d.”
And that friends sums up the true and genuine and real power of the Jewish power. It comes only from the One Above, should we merit it. How grateful we are!!
