By Rabbi Yosef Shemtov:
Chanukah is the celebration of miracles. It is when Beni Yisrael were freed from the many harsh decrees of the Greeks. It is when a small group of Kohanim went to war with the super power Greece to be able to perform HaShem’s mitsvot freely.
We all know that we light candles every night of Chanukah to remind ourselves that a jar of pure oil that was found after victory – enough for only one night’s supply – lit for eight nights and eight days. However, this is not the main reason we celebrate Chanukah. Many commentaries explain that Greece’s takeover and oppression of Israel was a decree from the Almighty because people were relaxed in their observance of mitsvot. And even if they did the mitsvot, it was a burden on them and they didn’t do the mitzvot with love and passion.
That’s why HaShem’s Shechina departed from them. But by Chanukah they were ready to sacrifice themselves and go to war with the Greeks only to be able to do mitsvot. When HaShem saw their will to do mitsvot, HaShem made them win the war. This was the main miracle.
Chanukah is the time when we tell G-d we love you and we want to do your mitsvot and HaShem in return brings back his shechina to beni israel and HaShem tells us “I love you.”
On behalf of all the Yachad Rabbis, I would like to wish you a happy and meaningful Chanukah.