Jewish festivals mark watershed moments in our national history. They celebrate both events that advanced our historical mission as well as pivotal moments in our evolving relationship with God. However, holidays also commemorate events that affected the general human condition and contributed to the evolving human spirit. For example, Pesach commemorates our liberation, but also the descent of God into human history and the revelation of fundamental messages, such as Providence and Reward and Punishment. The Al Ha-Nissim addition for Chanukah alludes to the global impact of Chanukah: “U-lekha asita shem gadol ve-kadosh be-olamekha.” God’s Name was sanctified and expanded across the world as a result of the events of Chanukah. Chanukah’s national impact is unmistakable, but its global impact for mankind in general is more subtle and less discernable.
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