A Light from the U.S. Capitol to Ukraine’s Presidential Bunker

Left: Menorah lighting in the U.S. Capitol | Right: Menorah lighting in Ukraine's Presidential Bunker

U.S. House and Senate leaders recently gathered on Capitol Hill for a Chanukah menorah lighting, showcasing a special display of unity. Leading the ceremony were House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Rabbi Levi Shemtov of Chabad of Washington, D.C.

The menorah used for the event was uniquely crafted from the shrapnel of rockets intercepted by the IDF, symbolizing resilience and hope.

Across the ocean, Ukraine's Jewish president, Volodymyr Zelensky, hosted a menorah lighting ceremony in his presidential bunker. The event, organized by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU), brought together Chabad rabbis and emissaries from across the country, representing 169 Jewish communities.

The menorah used in the ceremony was a distinguished gift President Zelensky received from Argentina's president, Javier Milei, on the day of his inauguration.

President Zelensky addressed the gathering, emphasizing Ukraine's resilience: “Nearly three years have passed since the start of the war. Despite the terror we've faced, including today's attacks, we defy all predictions. We are few against many, weak against one of the world's strongest armies. Yet we are winning and will prevail because there is no other option. I am proud of you, the rabbis of this country, for staying with us despite the hardships of war, even when you could have left.”

The rabbis shared the Rebbe's message for Chanukah, emphasizing the triumph of light over darkness and the few over the many. They expressed hope that the festival's message would lead to ultimate redemption when “nation shall not lift up sword against nation.”

The story of Ukraine's Jewish community is nothing short of miraculous. Historically plagued by antisemitism—from the Khmelnytsky massacres and Nazi collaboration to the Soviet regime's suppression of Jewish observance—the community is now led by a Jewish president proudly lighting a menorah during wartime.

Remarkably, the menorah was gifted by Argentina's president, a country once known for harboring Nazi war criminals but now fostering a positive relationship with Israel. Accompanying President Zelensky are Chabad rabbis, who have tirelessly worked to sustain Jewish life in the former Soviet Union despite enduring painful persecution for most of the 20th century.

This transformation embodies the miracle of Chanukah: the light of truth, though it may seem dim at times, will always ultimately shine brightly. Just as the Maccabees defeated the mighty Greek army, and a small curse of pure oil miraculously lit for eight days, truth and faith ultimately prevailed.

Chanukah reminds us that challenges can be transformed into blessings. Amid darkness, the menorah's light inspires hope and illuminates the path forward.

When recounting the story of Chanukah, it is notable that the Talmud places little emphasis on the military victory. Instead, it highlights the miracle of the oil that occurred afterward. Similarly, the Sages instituted the mitzvah of lighting the menorah each night of Chanukah and the custom of eating oily foods, while only briefly referencing the war's triumph in our prayers.

Why is it, then, that the focus is not on the miracle of our survival, which seems more directly life-saving, rather than on the menorah's miraculous light?

To understand this, we must delve into the true nature of the war against the Greeks.

The Greeks worshipped human intellect, academic and athletic achievement, and materialism above all else. They saw Judaism as a challenge to their worldview. The Jewish commitment to living for a higher purpose and transforming the world into a home for G-d stood as a direct affront to Greek philosophy.

Interestingly, the Greeks did not oppose Jewish culture or Torah study when viewed as an intellectual pursuit. Their objection lay in the acknowledgment of G-d's divine connection to the Torah and mitzvot. They rejected the spiritual, supra-rational elements of Judaism that transcended human logic.

This is why the Greeks specifically defiled the oil in the Holy Temple. By doing so, they conveyed that purity and impurity were irrational concepts and thus irrelevant. They had no objection to the menorah being lit, as long as it was done with impure oil, devoid of its sacred significance.

The miracle of Chanukah, therefore, centers on the discovery of a single cruse of pure, undefiled oil—symbolizing the Jewish people's unwavering connection to G-d. Against all odds, this small cruse of oil burned for eight days, demonstrating that the spiritual essence of Judaism could not be extinguished.

Today, as brave IDF soldiers fight physical threats from terrorists who seek to destroy Israel, we are also engaged in a battle for our Jewish identity in schools, on college campuses, in workplaces, and within our communities.

Like the Maccabees, we must light our menorahs with pride and determination, openly celebrating our Jewish identity. We cannot allow our adversaries to break our spirit. By increasing mitzvot and spreading light, we can transform the darkness around us into brightness.

Each of us has our own "cruse of pure oil"—a divine spark within us that remains untouched, waiting to be revealed. While this connection to G-d may not always surface in ordinary circumstances, challenges often bring it to light. Just as the Maccabees tapped into this inner resource, we too can uncover it in moments of adversity.

When this divine bond is revealed, “[G‑d will] deliver the mighty into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few,” for nothing can withstand its power. The Maccabees' victory and the miracle of the oil remind us that transcendent faith and divine strength overcome even the greatest obstacles.

This Chanukah, as we light the menorah, let us invite our neighbors, family, and friends to join in the celebration. Let us pray for the safe return of the hostages and the protection of our brethren in Israel and around the world.

Our ultimate mission is to prepare for the coming of Moshiach, when the inner flame of every soul will shine brightly and eternally, and the world will finally be illuminated with peace and redemption.