Hanuka is such an interesting holiday. We were taught stories in school, and then we grew up and found out that school simplified everything. History, as recorded in Sefer haMakabim includes major details that change the perspective quite a bit.
For instance - the miracle of lighting in the Beit HaMikdash was NOT at the end of the war, after kicking the Greeks out of the country. The war went on for years afterwards, with occasional victories on each side. And the Hashmonaim (well, this was known by some already), it seems that they didn't stay so pure and Gd-fearing: they took the throne from Shevet Yehuda, and within a couple of generations, the Kohen HaGadol from the Hashmonai family was Yanai - a Tzeduki.
But we still thank Gd for eight whole days, even now that we know that the story didn't end so well. That the Jews weren't really independent after the Greeks. Shortly thereafter came the Romans, and the rest is history.
I think Hanuka is about thanking HaShem for big miracles that didn't last forever, for unexpected chances to raise our heads up above the water, take a breath, and then get back into the struggle that is called Real Life with more energy. Hanuka is remembering that that breath and that energy isn't just caffeine or a sunny day. And even if it is those, those also come from HaShem.
This past week's Nashim magazine ran four stories about recent visible miracles. One of these articles was about our city's beloved, universally-respected Rav David Avraham Spektor, Rav of the southern neighbourhoods of Beit Shemesh and in charge of Mikvaot and Eruvin. Rav Spektor was diagnosed many months ago with an "incurable" form of cancer. However, after a few months of prayers and treatments and more prayers, Rav Spektor was pronounced clear of cancer, and he made a Seduat Hodaya. Oevr the past months, he was back to work, and pulled off the miraculous opening of a mikva in RBS with the cooperation of certain groups that have never before cooperated with a Dati-Leumi Rav.
But that is who he is and how he is. He finds the way to work with everyone, so that, as he said in the article, the non-praying folk of a nearby kibbutz, as well as the insular Toldos Aharon folk here in RBS, were all having organized tefillot for his refuah.
As the article went to print midweek, Rav Spektor found out that the cancer is back. The interviewer asked something to the effect of whether the Rav rescinds his hodaya to HaShem for his miraculous recovery last spring. Rav Spektor's answer: "The miracle of my recovery is not in any way affected by my being sick again afterwards." Baruch Hashem, despite all medical expectations, Rav Spektor was healthy for 8 months, and BEH, he will be again soon.
Please continue to daven for David Avraham ben Faiga b'toch she'ar holei Yisrael"
link to the Rav's facebook page:
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