On December 8th 2024, the Syrian Dictator Bashar al-Assad was overthrown after 50 years of rule by the Assad family. Assad was a brutal dictator who killed 100,000s of his own people.
From 167 to 160 BCE, Judah the Maccabee led the Hasmonean Revolt to overthrow the Syrian Greek Army and allowed the Jewish people to live in Israel in peace and practice Judaism without persecution.
The parallels are obvious. The Syrian Greek army was enormous and used their fabled warring elephants in battle. On October 7, Iran funded both the Hamas massacre on Israel and a multi front war on Israel from the Houthis from Yemen, Hamas from Gaza, Hezbollah from Lebanon, and Assad from Syria. Over the past 12 months, much of the world attempted to not only isolate Israel but allowed attacks on Jews around the world and on US college campuses.
Nevertheless, Israel persisted and with determined courage, military creativity, and fearless faith. Israel was able to dramatically destroy much of the leadership and terrorist infrastructure of Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and now Assad.
Judah the Maccabee would not fold. Israel will not fold.
As we light the inspiring illumination of the menorah this Hanukkah, we can also revel in the light that Israel has shined for the world to see that Jews will fight for our right display their faith proudly and freely.
Further reading
You can read about the rededication of The Great Synagogue in Rome, another story of modern-day Maccabees here.
