by Rena Goldzweig
The Greeks didn't set out to annihilate the Jews at first.
Instead, they sought to enlighten the "backward" Jews with the
"modern" Greek culture of arts and sciences, hoping that they
would assimilate as their other captive nations did. In contrast to other
tormentors of the Jews, they admired the Torah and its wisdom. King Ptolemy
even had the Jewish scholars translate the Torah into Greek so that he
may study it more easily.
However, Jews note the day the Torah was translated as
a day of mourning since the Greeks felt that the Torah is to be studied,
but not practiced (as do many Jews nowadays). They outlawed the practice
of the laws of the Sabbath, the Brit Milah, and the blessing of the New
Moon (and thus, all the festivals).
The Torah isn't just another book of wisdom - it is G-d's
blueprint for the world and all that exists. The Greeks' treatment of
G-dly wisdom as mundane strengthened the "husk" of Greek power
and enabled them (at least at first) be victorious over the Jews.
When the Jews strengthened their Torah practice as well
as study, under Judah the Maccabi's leadership, they vanquished the Greek
forces, although greatly outnumbered and lacking experience.
Jewish holidays are generally celebrated with a festive
meal including bread and wine, as they mark a day of physical salvation.
Passover marks our salvation from bondage in Egypt; Purim marks our salvation
from Haman's decree.
The mundane act of eating matza made of flour & water
in honor of Passover in fact spiritually elevates the flour and water
to their G-dly source. Bread & water, the main staples of one's diet,
signify the revealed Torah (the 24 books of the Written Torah and the
laws) which one cannot live a Torah life without.
Wine, obligatory for Kiddush, also provides enjoyment
and should be imbibed regularly in small amounts to accompany the main
meal of the day, just like the Kabbalistic teachings which should be learned
in addition to the revealed Torah.
Chanukah is the only Jewish holiday without any obligatory
festive meal. We celebrate in a completely spiritual manner by lighting
candles (preferably with olive oil) and saying additional special prayers,
(i.e. Al Ha-nissim & Hallel.)
It is said that olive oil be eaten only in tiny amounts
as a seasoning for the main course, as the innermost mystical secrets
of Torat that reveal the G-dliness concealed within the Revealed Torah.
However, as we move further away in time from the revelation of the Torah
on Mt Sinai, the darkness of secular knowledge constantly increases in
the world. Therefore, additional parts of the Torah are correspondingly
revealed to give us more strength to combat the darkness and this "oil"
an even more necessary component of our diet.
When the 2nd temple was destroyed, the disputes of the
Gemara were formulated and written down, contrary to the ordinance that
the Oral Torah only be learned by heart and not written down. This was
on the one hand, a result of the greater darkness in the world due to
the Temple's destruction and on the other hand, a new wealth of Torah
light with which to combat this self-same darkness.
The Zohar was originally taught by R. Shimon Bar Yochai
only to those already well versed in the Revealed torah. At the time of
the Renaissance, the Holy Ari caused Torah secrets to become even more
wide-spread. During the "Enlightenment" movement, there was
an outpouring of Chassidic knowledge, and in fact, the Ba'al Shem Tov
declared it necessary to spread the wellsprings of Kabbala ever further,
until in recent years, we have merited the dissemination of the innermost
secrets of the Torah on the Internet!
Rena Goldzweig, a long-time resident of Tsfat, is the technical editor
of KabbalaOnline.
|
