The Courage to Light: Parenting Lessons from the Maccabees

How are parents similar to the Maccabees?

Let me take you back over two thousand years to uncover a parenting truth within the story of Chanukah.

Many people are familiar with the basic storyline. After the Syrian-Greek king attempted to suppress Jewish faith and religious observance, the Maccabees rose up and battled the Greek army until they reclaimed the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple). They removed the idols the enemy had erected and cleaned, repaired, and restored the Temple. Finally, it was time to relight the Menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum.

But the Greeks had desecrated the olive oil designated for this sacred task, and it would take a full week to produce new, pure oil. Eventually, a small jar of uncontaminated oil was found, enough to burn for just one day. After that, the Menorah would go dark until fresh oil could be prepared. The Maccabees faced a dilemma: to light or not to light.

As we know, they chose to kindle the Menorah, and Hashem kept the oil burning miraculously for eight days, until new oil became available.

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It seems clear that the first day of the Menorah’s burning was natural, while the following seven days were supernatural. If so, why do we celebrate Chanukah for eight days? Wouldn’t it make more sense to celebrate only the seven miraculous days? Why include the first, seemingly ordinary one?

Among the many answers offered, one in particular speaks deeply to me as a mother.

As miraculous as days two through eight were, the lighting of the Menorah on the first day was also a miracle. Logic would suggest waiting until there was enough oil to ensure the Menorah could remain lit continuously. Yet despite knowing there was oil for only one day and that it would take eight days to obtain more, the Maccabees lit it anyway. Despite knowing the Eternal Lamp was meant to burn without interruption, they acted with what they had.

That choice itself was miraculous.

Human nature urges us to calculate, to anticipate obstacles, and to delay action when we can’t see a clear path forward. The miracle of Chanukah and of the Jewish people is that even when tomorrow feels uncertain, we act today. We don’t wait for guarantees. We do what is right in this moment and trust Hashem with the rest.

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Chanukah isn’t about the final outcome; it’s about beginning the process. It’s lighting the Menorah despite the tiny jar of oil. It’s fighting the first battle against a mighty empire when victory seems impossible. Chanukah teaches us to begin a course of action because it is right, holy, and pure, even when we don’t know how it will end.

Parents embody this message.

Having children is embarking on a journey without a clear map. No one gives birth knowing exactly how they will raise that child to adulthood. No parent possesses all the wisdom, competence, or foresight needed at the beginning. We bring children into the world as an act of faith, just like lighting the Menorah.

We parent with that same faith. We encounter challenges that leave us unsure of what our children need or how situations will unfold. And still, we take the first step. We have the first conversation. We make the first phone call. We begin, even when we can’t imagine the ending. Our responsibility is to act today as best we can, and to trust Hashem with tomorrow.

Each night of Chanukah, we sing Maoz Tzur, a song that spans Jewish history and recounts our salvations from the Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, and Greeks. Yet its opening stanza reminds us that the ending rests in Hashem’s hands. It is up to Him to determine when we will complete our dedication. It is up to us to begin. When He restores my House of Prayer… then I will complete the dedication of the Altar.

We do what needs to be done today, without knowing how it will end, because we trust that He does.

O mighty stronghold of my salvation, to praise You is a delight.

Restore my House of Prayer and there we will bring a thanksgiving offering.

When You will have prepared the slaughter for the blaspheming foe,

Then I shall complete with a song of hymn the dedication of the Altar.