This blog is a transcription of the Rabbi’s lesson on Chanukah — a very meaningful teaching for non-Jews.

A Deeper Look

A Brief Historical Overview

We know that the First Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians. Secular historians date this to around 586 BCE, while Jewish tradition places it at 423 BCE. The Jewish people were exiled to Babylon for 70 years until King Cyrus of Persia allowed them to return and rebuild the Temple.

Yet the prophets already warned that the Second Temple era would be troubled. Daniel, in chapter 9, stated that although the Temple would be rebuilt, the period would not be peaceful. Indeed, not long after, the mighty Greek Empire under Alexander the Great rose to power and conquered much of the known world.

Alexander himself had a positive relationship with the Jewish people. But after his death, the empire fragmented. The Land of Israel fell to the Syrian-Greek (Seleucid) Empire, led by Antiochus. Their mission was to spread Hellenism, a sophisticated but deeply secular Greek ideology.

A Spiritual Civil War

Hellenistic philosophy swept across the region, influencing many Jews in Israel. These Jews became mit’yavnim — Jewish Hellenists — who admired Greek culture and rejected Jewish tradition. This created a civil war within the Jewish people: traditional Jews versus Hellenized Jews.

As time passed, the Syrian-Greeks began actively persecuting Judaism. They outlawed:

Finally, the oppression became unbearable.

The Maccabean Revolt

A small group of priests — the Maccabees — rose up against the Greek empire and its Jewish collaborators. Though vastly outnumbered and poorly equipped, they fought with tremendous dedication. Over time, they miraculously defeated the Syrian-Greek forces.

The Greeks had desecrated the Holy Temple, sacrificing pigs and attempting to transform it into a pagan shrine. Upon reclaiming the Temple, the Maccabees cleansed and rededicated it — the very act from which the name Chanukah (“dedication”) is derived.

The Miracle of the Oil

One of the daily Temple rituals was the lighting of the seven-branched Menorah. But upon returning, the Maccabees found only one small jug of pure oil — enough for a single day. Producing new oil required an eight-day round trip.

Yet a miracle occurred:
That one day’s supply burned for eight days.

This miracle became the foundation of the Chanukah holiday.

Today we light a Chanukiah, a special eight-branched lamp (plus a helper candle), adding one light each night to commemorate the miracle and to fulfill the principle of pirsumei nissa — publicizing the miracle.

Can Noahides Celebrate Chanukah?

Chanukah is a rabbinic holiday, not a biblical one, and therefore it is obligatory only for Jews. Noahides are not required to observe it. However, they may participate in several meaningful ways:

✔ Studying the Story and its Spiritual Meaning

The themes of Chanukah — faith, resilience, spiritual resistance — are universally inspiring.

✔ Reciting Psalms

Psalm 30 (for the dedication of the Temple) is especially relevant. Others include Psalms 33, 67, 91, 133, and more.

✔ Eating Traditional Foods

Foods fried in oil, such as potato pancakes or doughnuts, commemorate the miracle of the oil.

✔ Lighting Candles (Without the Blessings)

Noahides may light candles to commemorate the miracle, but they should not recite blessings that speak of being “commanded,” since the commandment applies only to Jews.

✔ Giving Charity or Small Gifts

Giving charity in honor of the holiday is always encouraged for all people.

The Spiritual Core of Chanukah: Transcendence

To understand the deeper meaning of Chanukah, we must notice something intriguing:
Chanukah always occurs during the weeks when the Torah portions tell the story of Joseph.

This may not be accidental.

Joseph’s Name: A Clue to the Chanukah Message

Joseph’s name, Yosef, means “to increase, to add, to go beyond.”
His mother Rachel named him saying:

“May God add to me another son.”

A remarkable Hasidic insight teaches that the legacy of Jacob (Israel) is encapsulated in this name:
the drive to grow, to elevate, to transcend — never to remain stagnant.

This theme of “going beyond” runs through every dimension of Chanukah.

Seven Expressions of Transcendence in Chanukah

1. The Few Overcame the Many

A tiny, untrained group of priests defeated a massive empire — an act far beyond natural expectations.

2. The Oil Burned Longer Than Nature Allowed

One day’s supply lasted eight days.

3. Increasing Light (Beit Hillel)

Each night we increase the number of lights — we don’t diminish.
This is the essence of Yosef.

4. The Unique Level of “Mehadrin Min HaMehadrin”

Only Chanukah has the supreme level of beautification, “beautifying the beautiful,” performed by increasing the lights each night.

5. They Chose Purity Beyond What Was Required

The Maccabees insisted on using pure oil, even though impure oil would have been permitted under the circumstances.

6. The Number Eight

Seven symbolizes the natural world.
Eight represents what lies beyond nature, the spiritual and miraculous. Chanukah is eight days for this very reason.

7. The Nature of Fire

Flames always rise. They seem designed to ascend — a symbol of the soul striving upward.

Transcendence for All Humanity

The message of Chanukah is not just for Jews.
The call to transcend, to grow, to rise above where we are — applies to every human being.

No one should feel content with their current spiritual level.
We should always strive to rise, like a flame.

That is the legacy of Joseph.
That is the essence of Chanukah.
And that is a message for the entire world.

By Rabbi Michael Skobac

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