Chanukah... yea, it's the running theme among just about everything.... the popularity of the Maccabeats music video (Yes, I did write about it before... still confused about it, but more placated... sort of), the new age Matisyahu song, the parody video by NCSY, the dancing Chabad guys... and on, and on, and on... (ha)... But then, it hit me today... like a ton of bricks...
Basically... I have this one class... and I don't really like the teacher most days. Her style of teaching is about 90 miles an hour, and yes, I like to drive fast, but not through my learning. Anyhow, my class was hocking her about how we haven't had any parties and we are so over worked and on, and on and on... (ha... again). And then she said something that really cemented the times we live in....
The neis of Chanukah isn't supposed to be publicized through chart topping music videos and over sized menorahs (though yes, it is a good way to perform pirsumei nisa) but it isn't the ikkur. What the Maccabim fought for, DIED for, was NOT the right to party and get stuffed on latkes and sufganiyot (yea, I had some of those) rather, they sacrificed their lives, for the eternal right of our people: to learn Torah. That is what Chanukah is all about. When the Yivanim attacked us, first they went for our spirituality... invading our minds with twisted ideas about the glorious human body, physical perfection, materialism... yet, we stand for the purity of the neshama, spirituality, kedusha and most importantly, Torah...
And in this day and age... I think we sometimes lose sight of that... we let that Greek philosophy seep into our homes and minds, not really realizing it... these days, it isn't so overt and obvious... it's subtle and sneaky...
But.... did the Chashmonaim really fight just so we could live in luxury and maybe learn a bit here and there? No.... they fought so we could delve into the depths of Torah, submerge ourselves in Mikor Chaim-- Hakadosh Baruch Hu... they fought so we could live...
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
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That's so true! Thanks.
ReplyDeletetrue
ReplyDeleteespecially when the song in question a wholesale rip off of a non jewish rendition of the very same song...video style and all.
while yes they fought so we can learn torah freely. - Sometimes, we need to do something that will reach people. The candlelight video reached many secular Jews who otherwise would be just satuated with the goyish holiday around them. This video brought some chanuka inspiration into their life. And it says 'A great return to Torah learing... It might turn on a spark inside them to learn more about their heritage bezrat Hashem
ReplyDeleteitsagift- my pleasure :)
ReplyDeleteDOL- exactly... its shtick last a few seconds and then ... someone else has already redone it
smb- you are correct... that's why i am having mixed feelings about this video. im sure it left a huge impression on scores of unaffiliated yidden... i on the other hand... question its validity... as much as i enjoy the video