Chanukah celebrates the miracle of one tiny jar of Temple oil that was supposed to last one night but burned for eight, along with the miraculous defeat of the Hellenist Greek army by a small group of rebel Jews, the Maccabees. Ever since, Jews have commemorated these miracles by lighting the menorah for eight nights.

But in Judaism, women are not required to perform positive commandments that are time-triggered or bound. So why do women traditionally light the menorah? Talmudic scholar, Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Levi explains, “women are obligated to take part in the candle lighting, for they were included in that miracle.”

How exactly?

So, there’s more to the story. Greek oppression began long before the Maccabean revolt. Jews were forbidden from practicing their religion- circumcision, Sabbath, Torah study and keeping Kosher were outlawed, forcing the Jews to observe in hiding, usually in caves. For a long time, Jews learned to live their Judaism in secret.

Everything changed once the Greek Governor instituted a new decree, “jus primae noctis” or “first-night rights.” The 12th century French scholar, Rashi writes in his foundational commentary on the Talmud, “For the Greeks made an edict that all virgins who were about to marry must first have intercourse with the Prefect.”

That’s when the Jews decided to revolt.

The Greeks had launched an assault on Jewish life and practice for some time, but it was only once they violated the sanctity of intimacy, marriage and the safety of their women that the Jews decided it was too far. They rose up  and defeated the Greek army in what would be one of the most astonishing defeats of a superpower in ancient times. Today, we celebrate by lighting the menorah and illuminating the world.

Spread the light ✨