One of the many positions I have held in the Jewish community was as a Sunday School and Hebrew School teacher. I started shortly after graduating from college and continued until 2020. I enjoyed having the opportunity to enlighten the young minds of my students and to share what I had learned over the years with them. Inevitably, each year, as part of my curriculum, I covered the Jewish holidays. And every year, I tried to think of new and different ways to impress upon my students the many aspects and relevant facts about each holiday.
Of course, around this time of the year, my attention always turned to Hanukkah and the many lessons this holiday teaches us. Was I going to focus my attention on discussing the significance of the “miracle” this year or try to get my students to understand that the holiday is more than just an excuse to get presents around the same time as their non-Jewish friends? However, no matter what, my goal was always to have my students understand that one of the main concepts of Hanukkah was the importance of re-dedication.
While some may argue that Hanukkah’s popularity among Jews has served as a Jewish’ answer’ to Christmas, understanding its deeper significance encourages us to celebrate all our holidays with purpose, not just the most popular ones.
Maimonides, the great twelfth-century philosopher and expert in Jewish law, enumerated eight levels of tzedakah, each higher level more honorable than the others. However, Maimonides points out that while one may be more honorable than the others, performing any form of tzedakah. We can draw a parallel from this point and use it in discussing Hanukkah.
Does it matter that Hanukkah is not considered the “holiest” of the holidays? Should we not celebrate Hanukkah with all of the joy and enthusiasm that has developed over the years, just because it is not the “holiest?” The answer to each question is unequivocally… NO.
We should take from the holiday what our tradition teaches us, rather than spend all our time focusing on why it isn’t as special or important as Passover, Yom Kippur, or any other holiday you feel is the holiest.
So, let’s focus on the idea of re-dedication and how it can inspire us to renew our commitments and find hope in our own lives today.
The word re-dedication suggests reconnecting with what matters most. Consider how you can actively re-dedicate yourself to your family, community, or personal goals today, making the holiday’s lessons a living practice.
The story of Hanukkah shows us that it’s never too late to return to what matters. Knowing the Maccabees celebrated Sukkot after defilement teaches us that dedication can be renewed at any time, offering reassurance and hope.
So this year, consider re-dedicating yourself to something you have “missed”; something that was once very important to you and can be again.
Jason Moss is executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Greater
San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.
