6175– The Miracle of Miracles!

A. Some Sefarim explain that the miracle of the jug of oil lasting for eight days is only first narrated in the Babylonian Talmud, centuries after the establishment of Chanukah in 1891 (our date). It is not mentioned in sources such as in Maccabees, also not in ancient liturgy, and in Josephus. It first appears in the Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 21b (ca. 6th century C.E.):

In essence, there are two miracles we celebrate on Chanuka, namely the victory of a small band of unarmed Jews in the war against a very strong world army. And then the discovery of a pure jar of oil which lasted for eight days and allowed the Jews to light the menorah in the Bet Hamikdash.

In the Talmud, our Sages question “What is Hanukkah?” and their response describes the miracle of the oil. Clearly they gave precedence to that miracle. Yet many other sages of righteous memory, explained that each miracle offers a different aspect of Hanukkah: The battle victory was a physical miracle that ensured freedom in the Land of Israel and the keeping of the Torah.

The miracle of the oil was different it stood for the religious freedom and the willingness to keep our Torah lights, demonstrating that there is Divine intervention in the natural cycles of life, and there is something spiritually miraculous that sustains us.

Light, which is not something that we can physically touch, symbolizes the miracle of the oil that kindled the lamps of the menorah. Although the miracle of the oil is in reality mostly considered greater and kept by many in lighting the menorah, both miracles are commemorated during Hanukkah. Keeping this in mind, as if both miracles were mentioned side by side in the prayer.

We must add that yet the miracle of the victory wouldn't seem as wondrous as the miracle of oil. Therefore, no mention is made of the oil in the v'al hanissim passage, which specifically thanks Hashem for the miraculous victory in battle.

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Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Sh lit’a, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting, Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a