When we think of the story of Hanukkah, there are characters that come to mind: King Antiochus IV, the Syrian-Greeks, the Maccabees, Matityahu and his sons, Yehudit. We think of concepts, such as culture wars, courage, and miracles. But, as in all Jewish holidays, we also find symbols that remind us of our history, inviting us to reflect or get involved in some way with the values that the holiday represents.
The main symbol of Hanukkah is the hanukkiah: the eight-branched candelabrum reminding us that when the Second Temple was rededicated, after being defiled by the Syrian-Greeks, the tiny amount of undefiled oil that was found, enough to light the Menorah (seven-branched candelabrum in the Temple) for a single day, lasted eight days.
Another symbol associated with the holiday is the dreidel, known in Hebrew as a “sevivon”. Each of the four sides of this spinning top features a Hebrew letter: ‘nun’, ‘gimmel’, ‘heh’ and ‘shin’, representing the phrase "Nes Gadol Haya Sham" (“a great miracle happened there"). On sevivonim in Israel, the letter ‘peh’ replaces the ‘shin’, ‘poh’ (‘here’) instead of ‘sham’ (‘there’), since the miracle happened in the Land of Israel.
What is the connection between the sevivon and the holiday of Hanukkah? The story goes that during the reign of Antiochus IV, one of the decrees imposed with the goals of assimilating Jews into Greek culture was a prohibition on studying Torah. The rabbis and scholars were forced to study in hiding, and Torah study schools were likewise maintained in a clandestine way so that the children could continue learning. In these times, the method of study was through oral transmission. Since the punishment for those who studied Torah or carried out any of the forbidden Jewish practices was death, the children were told that if a Greek soldier approached while they were gathered together and studying, they should stop, take the sevivonim and some coins out of their pockets, and pretend they were playing. The game is still played today, using sweets (for example, chocolate coins): each participant in turn spins the sevivon, and either takes or contributes sweets from his pile depending on which letter it shows when it lands.
From within this context of persecution and censorship, the value of study stands out. It is not news that in Jewish culture, values and stories have a place of great importance. Already in antiquity, a time when literacy was limited to a small minority of the population, the Jewish people were known and recognized for their high level of literacy. What is the origin of this? If we go to the sources, we find the following:
“And these words which I command you today shall be upon your heart. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and you will talk about them when you are at home, and when you are journeying, and when you lie down, and when you get up.” (Devarim 6:5-7).
Accordingly, Maimonides’ Sefer Ha-Mitzvot lists the study of Torah as a positive commandment (number 419). The study of Torah and transmission of history, customs and values ensures the continuity of the Jewish people, whatever the context and external conditions may be.
On Hanukah, the sevivon can serve as a reminder of the critical importance of Jewish education and making it a priority, even under difficult circumstances.
An interesting point is how Torah study was hindered at different times in history, in contexts of persecution and censorship, and how initiatives and actions were taken to sustain it. Hannukah is not the only time of year when we recall efforts to keep Jewish study and practice alive despite the danger involved. For example, Lag B'Omer recalls another period when Torah study was outlawed, this time by order of the Romans. The custom of children playing with bows and arrows recalls how Jews would pretend to go hunting with bows and arrows in the forests, where they would go to study.
One of the important ways to fulfil the mitzvah of transmission of Jewish study and culture is to focus on the symbols of each holiday and to find ways of making them meaningful for children. Whether playing, asking questions, singing or eating, each special date on our calendar invites children to learn about our people’s history, customs, values, and laws, understanding that they represent continuity.
If you are interested in learning more about Hanukah, you can read this article.