You all know the story of how the Makabi’s revolted against Antiochus conquered Jerusalem, plundered the riches of the Holy Temple and defiled it by making it a temple for idols.  Now, we’ll talk about it more-0 and add another tale.

מכבי

Makabi

(An aside:  Matisyahu and his five children had the family name Chasmonai.  But they adopted the moniker Makabi- which is a contraction for an important part of our prayers and is also ound in the second book of the Tora, Shmot, Chapter 15- Mi Kamocha Baeyllim Adonai- Who is like you among all those purporting to be the Supreme Being?)

The official story of Chanuka details how the Makabi revolted against Antiochus, took over the Temple, the Holy temple and purified it.  (By the way, this was the first war not fought over power or land- but over religion!)  Despite not having enough oil to last until the next batch of pure oil could be prepared, they lit the menorah.   Because action is always rewarded and procrastination is not acceptable.

Lo and behold that tiny cruse of oil kept the menorah lit for eight days- in time to be replenished by the pure oil made after the victory.  That’s why we light our chanukiya for eight days- to commemorate this miracle.

But there are other Chanuka stories.  Today, I will share one many of you may know- about Chana and her seven sons, from 2 Maccabees, Chapter 7.  (I will share yet another- less well known one- tomorrow.)

When Antiochus took over Israel, all of our laws were forbidden.  No circumcision, no kosher food, no Shabat.  He appointed Philip the governor of Judea to ruthlessly enforce these provisions. Starting with the Kohen Gadol (the high priest), Elazar.  Instead of succumbing to these rules, Elazar killed himself.

Then, Chana and her seven sons were rounded up and commanded to eat pig.  This is an animal that does not meet the rules of kashrut, since it lacks a ruminant.  (Multichambered stomach.)  Philip goes after each child in order. The eldest responded to the despot “Why do you bother with this long speech, trying to inflict your abominable religion upon us? We are ready to welcome death for the sake of our holy Torah!”

At that point, Philip ordered the boy’s tongue, hands and feet severed and placed in a fire. The soldiers proceeded to torture the boy, forcing his mother and six brothers to watch his excruciating pain. Philip was sure that this sight would intimidate his other prisoners into unquestioning submission.

Um. No.  The second child offered this response. “Do what you will with me. I am no less than my brother in devotion to Hashem.” The second son’s torture was as bitter as his brother’s had been. As he died, he told the king, “Woe to you, pitiless tyrant! Our souls go to Hashem. And when Hashem awakens the dead and His martyred servants, we will live. But you—your soul will dwell in a place of eternal abhorrence!”

So went the third and fourth children of Chana.  The fifth also demurred, responding.  “Don’t suppose that Hashem has handed us over to you to exalt you or because He hates us. It is because He loves us and has granted us this honor. Hashem will take His vengeance upon you and your progeny.” After torturing and killing him, the sixth child was dispatched similarly.

By the time he got to her youngest child, Philip offered him gold and silver to break the rules.  And Philip expected Chana to spare him and to force him to comply with this edict.  But the youngest child had a similar response to his brothers. “Whom are you seeking to overpower with your words and enticements? I laugh at your foolishness. I believe in the Torah and in Hashem Whom you blaspheme. You will remain an abomination upon all mankind, loathsome and far from Hashem.”

Philip tried to get the boy to kiss his signet ring, which was refused.  Chana then tells her child, “My children, tell your ancestor Abraham, ‘You bound only one son upon an altar, but I bound seven.” At that point, the child was even more vigorously tortured and killed.

Upon which Chana meets her demise. Now, it’s not so clear how Chana met her end.  One story says she threw herself into the fire.  Another declares she jumped off the roof, falling upon the corpses of her children.

(You should know that Chana may not have been her real name.  This may have been used to help us recall the story of Chana, the fist person to pray under her breath, when she wished for a son in the book of Shmuel [Samuel).

Happy Chanuka.  Enjoy the Festical of Lights.