THE MACCABEES HAD TO HAVE FAITH to fight persecution and to continue to live the ways of the TORAH. Many say that Hanukkah was a fight for religious freedom. While it was originally seen as a military victory however it has become to be more so a spiritual victory:
" Not by might and not by power but by My Spirit, says the LORD. " (Zechcariah 4:6)
Here is a version of the story which our family has read for years on this the first night of Hanukkah:
There was a king a long time ago named Shah Abbas who was just and honorable in his ways. He would disguise himself from time to time and wander the streets of his kingdom's cities to learn more about his subjects.
Once on his travels he came across a hut and knocked on the door where a man was sitting and eating a simple meal. When the man opened his door he invited the disguised king in for a meal saying, " A guest is a gift from God." They shared food and stories. Eventually the king asked him what his job was. " I am a shoemaker " he replied. And what about tomorrow, the king wanted to know. What would you do if there was no longer money making and repairing shoes. " Blessed is God, day by day. Like the Psalms say, I do not worry. GOD IS IN CHARGE. "
The king decided to test the man and the next day proclaimed that no one could make or repair shoes without a permit. And then he returned to the poor man's hut the next night to see what he would do. When asked what he had done that day due to the need for a permit the poor man replied the he had gone and sold water from the well instead.
The following day the King issued a similar decree that drawing water and selling it required a permit. His visit to the poor man again amazed him as the man informed him that he had chopped wood that day to make a living. "And is this was prohibited" the king asked, " What would you do? "
Again the answer came, " Blessed is God, Day by Day. " He had no worry in his voice or on his face. The next morning the King ordered all woodchoppers to report to the castle to become guards. The poor man became a guard but was not paid for his work at the end of the day. He was given, however, a sword. He removed it from its sheath when he returned home and sold the blade to cover the cost of his daily food.
The next day he returned to the palace where he was ordered to behead a man who was a prisoner. Without hesitation the poor man said, " But I cannot be this man's judge. I cannot kill him." The Captain on duty ordered him again to draw his sword. With that the poor man cried out, " Almighty God, If this prisoner is guilty then let my sword be one of steel. If he is innocent let the blade turn to wood. " And so it was that he did not have to kill the prisoner.
The king after hearing of this called the poor man to his chambers and revealed what he had done and how he was amazed at the man's resolve and faith to stand by his beliefs. And that is how the cobbler became one of the king's trusted advisors !
HAPPY HANUKKAH EVERYONE !