By Rabbi Yosef Shemtov: We all know about the miracle of Chanukah, how after the Jews drove the Greek army out of Yerushalayim, they went to the Beit Hamikdash to light the menorah and they only found one small jar of untouched sealed pure oil. There was only enough for one night, but it burned for eight days. That’s why we celebrate eight days of Chanukah by saying Hallel and lighting the menorah for eight nights.
But the question is that throughout our history we had many many miracles which we don’t celebrate at all. For example, for many years before the Greeks took over Israel, when they lit the menorah in the temple every night they would put a supply of 12 hours of oil. But one of the lights (Ner marabi) would be lit for 24 hours night after night and we don’t celebrate that miracle. There are more miracles like all the victories of David Hamelech and many other Jewish kings
The answer is if a miracle results in Beni Israel doing teshuva and getting closer to the Almighty, then there is reason to celebrate. If not then there is no requirement.
The reason for Chanukah is that the Jewish people decided to self-sacrifice for the sake of being able to do mitsvot freely and not to be bound by the Greeks who outlawed keeping Shabbat, brit mila, kashrut and many other mitsvot.
When HaShem saw that people were willing to die rather than giving up the mitzvot, HaShem helped them win the war and the miracle of the oil happened.
Chanukah represents our commitment to HaShem. It is the time of saying to HaShem we love you and we appreciate your mitsvot. And in return Hashem will help us to overcome all difficulties in life and bestow upon us all the blessings.
On behalf of Yachad rabbis, I wish you a happy and meaningful Chanukah.