Light and Miracles Require Sacrifice In Those Days and At This Time

As Chanukah approaches this year amid the ongoing war and difficult times for Am Yisrael, we are reminded of the current darkness and our difficult history. The blessing of light that is recited marks the miracle experienced by the Maccabees on the darkest days of the year and our capacity to transform darkness into light.

Chanukah stands out as one of only two mitzvot that halacha requires us to fulfill even if it means great financial burden or sacrifice. The Shulchan Aruch makes it clear (Orach Chayim 671:1) that one must kindle Chanukah lights even if it is necessary to borrow money or sell possessions in order to afford to kindle at least one light every night. The Gemara (Pesachim 99b) states a similar mandate regarding the commandment to drink four cups of wine at the Pesach Seder. One must collect charity or sell possessions to fulfill the drinking of the four cups.

These are exceptional statements! We are not asked to make such sacrifices for any other positive commandment, including those that are Biblical. Wearing tefillin, purchasing a lulav/etrog, acquiring matzah, adorning one’s home with a mezuzah does not require one to borrow, sell possessions or collect charity. Yet remarkably, kindling Chanukah lights and the four cups of Seder wine – both rabbinic mitzvot – come with a requirement to sacrifice as needed.

The need to sacrifice in order to celebrate Chanukah is due to the fact that the ethos of the holiday has at its essence sacrifice. The Maccabees and the Jewish people made significant sacrifices by serving G-d amid threat of punishment for such service as well as fighting a war against the mighty Greek army; “You delivered the mighty into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few” (Al HaNissim). The miracles of Chanukah would never have come to pass without the initiative of the Jewish people as seen in their sacrifice, bravery and dedication. For that reason, sacrifice is a key component of the Chanukah experience.

The four cups of wine represent the four stages of the redemptive process transforming the enslaved Jewish people into a free nation with a destiny in Egypt. Each phase of the redemption process required initiative and sacrifice by the Jewish people. Despite all the dangers and difficulty, the Jewish people took the action required for the moment. Therefore, inherent in the experience of the four cups is the requirement to sacrifice in celebrating this rabbinic commandment.

The miracles that we have witnessed since October 7th and those that we yearn for, ending the current war, bringing security and delivering all the hostages home from Gaza, has required enormous sacrifice on the battlefield and on the homefront. Thousands have died, many thousands more have been injured, and hundreds of thousands remain displaced from their homes near the borders. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers are serving hundreds of days of reserve duty, their lives at stake, away from their families and jobs, carrying an especially heavy burden.

As we kindle lights this year, we must be proud of and celebrate the selflessness that we have witnessed required to support Am Yisrael, sharing the burden of these difficult times. It is only by embracing our responsibility to act by going all in no matter what it requires, that we will experience miracles in our time and truly appreciate the miracles of the past and present.

When we kindle the Chanukah lights, we recite a blessing thanking G-d for the miracles. Most people are familiar with the version that reads “in those days, at this time.” This wording suggests we are simply remembering past miracles during this season. However, multiple manuscripts of the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah present a different version of the blessing: “in those days AND at this time.” This small but significant addition of the word “and” (vav in Hebrew) transforms the meaning entirely. It tells us that Chanukah isn’t just about remembering ancient miracles – it’s about recognizing that miracles continue to occur in our own time. While we certainly commemorate the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days during the time of the Maccabees, we are also called to acknowledge the divine interventions happening in our present day. This perspective keeps the holiday vibrant and meaningful, connecting our ancient traditions with our contemporary experiences and reminding us of our ongoing ability to bring light into darkness.

Rabbi Dr. Katriel (Kenneth) Brander is President and Rosh HaYeshiva of Ohr Torah Stone, an international network of 30 Religious Zionist institutions committed to illuminating the beauty and relevance of authentic Torah Judaism in the modern world. Prior to making Aliyah, Rabbi Brander was Vice President at Yeshiva University and the senior rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue, overseeing its explosive growth from 60 to more than 600 families. (Headshot: Sally Katzin)