HANUKKAH: The Hidden Light That Illuminates the Soul and the World.
Hanukkah is often considered the celebration of the Maccabees’ victory over the Greeks and the miracle of the oil that burned eight days in the Temple. However, according to Rabbi Shimon bar Yo’haï, as recorded in the Zohar (II, 199a), this holiday carries a much more profound meaning: it reveals a hidden light of creation, called Or HaGanuz. This light was withdrawn from the world after Adam’s sin and remains inaccessible to ordinary human activity. Hanukkah lets this light come down for a short time, healing spiritual wounds, lighting up the soul, and giving blessings to both the visible and invisible worlds. Thus, the miracle is not only material; it works in higher realms, reconnecting the divine dimension with the lower world.
The Ben Ish Hai (Rosh Chodesh, Year 2, Halakha 6) emphasizes that the light of Hanukkah primarily affects the eyes and the soul. The Greeks symbolized materiality and the seduction of the senses, attempting to divert Israel from spirituality. However, the beauty of the Hanukkah flame is its tendency to purify perception, restoring the ability to see holiness in the world and awakening consciousness to the Divine Presence. Each candle lit is not just a symbol; it is also a way to heal the soul and elevate the spirit.
The Ben Ish Hai says that this light gives off intellectual energy that can resolve spiritual problems and make the Neshama stronger, even if you don’t consciously meditate.
The miracle of the oil is a good example of this hidden dimension. Pure oil, which stands for Chokhmah, or divine wisdom, spreads and burns in ways that are not normal. The Zohar (II, 200a) says that this oil is a symbol of how divine light travels through the Sefirot, from Chessed to Malkhut. The eighth flame stands for Bina Ila’ah, the hidden mother. Thus, the light of Hanukkah restores continuity between the divine and the world, allowing spiritual energy to flow and repair the rifts caused by materiality and injustice.
The Ben Ish Hai further explains that Hanukkah is a time for inner purification. The “Greeks” symbolize forces that obscure consciousness and distance the individual from their divine essence.
The Maccabees stand for the struggle within, and each candle repels darkness, cleanses emotions, and brings peace back to the soul. The eight days of Hanukkah represent a spiritual journey: each new candle changes a part of the soul, from Gevurah’s harshness to openness toward the higher light.
The Zohar says that the light of Hanukkah is not meant to be used for anything but to light up the world. It should be shown to the public so that people can see how holy it is. During Hanukkah, “the heavenly hosts change their song” (Zohar II, 199b), because a new light descends into the higher worlds, softening judgments and opening several channels of blessing for homes that light with joy and sincere intention.
In addition, Hanukkah anticipates the Geulah (Redemption). Rabbi Shimon bar Yo’haï explains that the light descending during Hanukkah is the first flame of the future world, the light that will shine at the coming of the Messiah. The Ben Ish Hai adds that every household that lights the candles and every soul that contemplates the flame participates in cosmic repair. The miracle is not only historical: it is universal and eternal, connecting the heroic past of the Maccabees to the spiritual mission of the soul and the ultimate light that will illuminate all creation.
In conclusion, according to Rabbi Shimon bar Yo’haï and the Ben Ish Hai, Hanukkah is not merely a festival but a cosmic moment of repair. The candles lit each night are doors opening toward divine wisdom, protection, and the revelation of the ultimate light. They purify the eyes, strengthen the soul, and prepare the way for the Messiah, making Hanukkah a holiday that is historical, spiritual, and mystical all at once.
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