Avishai Bar Osher (based on the Sefer Shvilei Habosem)
The Maccabean Revolt in the Kingdom of Greece lasted three years: beginning in Kislev 3494- 164 BCE, and ended on the 25th of Kislev, 3497- 167 BCE. Even though 2173 years have passed, their radiance has not dulled, and the light of the Maccabee heroes has not diminished.
As in a vision, these heroes and mighty of spirit, with double-edged sword in their hands, pass in front of us, with praises of G-d in their mouths. National heroes and captains of those faith serve as a light tower directing our nation's "ship" in every generation. We will follow in their path and they will pave the way for us in our struggles, us learning from them as we are independent and besieged at once between the walls of Yerushalayim.
Is it possible to revolt in such a situation? Would the thought of revolting against the Syrian- Greek Empire cross anyone's mind? Yes, there sits a venerable aged father named Mattisyahu, with his five adored sons surrounding him. Mattisyahu is pained and troubled by the humiliation his nation is undergoing. The cry comes from the depth of his soul: raise the flag of revolt! The five sons announce the breakout of the revolution on the peaks of the Modiin hills.
And these occurrences were from Hashem, and the great miracle happened : Hashem helped the mighty be conquered by the weak, and the few overcame the many. The mighty Greek Empire collapsed and buckled under. The small groups of Jews who had remained loyal to the Torah and didn't bow to idols joined Mattisyahu and his five sons, and together they chased the Hellenists and Greeks out of the country in shame.
After the glorious victory, the Chashmonaim re-established Jewish monarchy in Eretz Yisroel, which continued more than 200 years, until the Bais HaMikdosh was destroyed.
The Lights of Chanuka
More than 2,000 years have passed since then, and the Chanukah flames signal to us, they flicker with light and holiness, and secretly tell the story of the heroism and eternity of the Jewish nation to all who wish to listen. From them we draw strength, courage and wisdom, even when we are in tight spots. Every year, during Chanukah, we repeat and learn once again the eternal words of Zecharia the Prophet read in the Haftora of Shabbos Chanukah:" Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the L-RD of hosts.
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