THE REBBE ON CHANUKA PART 1 UNCONDITIONAL RESISTANCE

Chanuka, 5716 (1955) Chanuka recalls the rededication of the Holy Temple which had been defiled by the heathen rulers of the Holy Land and their assimilationist collaborators. The miracle of Chanuka was brought about by the self-sacrificing resistance begun by the Hasmoneans despite the overwhelming odds against them. In applying the lessons of Chanuka to today, insofar as the daily life of the Jewish individual and community is concerned -- and this, after all, is the purpose of all of our festivals -- several aspects are especially noteworthy. Firstly, that even so holy a place as the Holy Temple can be defiled under certain circumstances, though outwardly remaining intact.