Here, in the land of Israel, the olive-picking season begins in mid-October and lasts approximately one to two months. The olive harvest has always been an integral part of agricultural life in Israel, as olive oil is one of the three basic crops: grain, wine and oil (Deuteremony 28:51). Its importance in biblical times cannot be overstated as it was used for eating, cooking, lighting, healing and anointing. In Deuteronomy 8:7-8 we learn the following: For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams and springs and fountains issuing from plain and hill; a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey. Thus it is one of the seven species, and the three main crops, which symbolize the richness and beauty of the land of Israel.

The bible teaches us that olive oil was used to light the menorah, thereby bringing light to the tabernacle, the desert sanctuary. In Exodus 27:20 the Israelites are instructed to bring "clear oil of beaten olives lighting, for kindling lamps regularly," which were set up in the tent of meeting. Biblical and rabbinic scholars believe that this oil was used in the 7 pronged candelabra (menorah) and in the eternal lamp, the ner tamid.

This detail is important for us to fully understand the holiday of Hannukah, which celebrates the miracle of the cruse of oil that instead of lasting for one day lasted for eight days. After the Maccabees defeated Antiochus Epiphanes IV (168 BC) and recaptured Jerusalem, they discovered that the temple had been defiled. They managed to find one cruse of oil that was to be used for the seven pronged menorah and the eternal lamp. Although they only found enough oil for one day, miraculously, as the Talmud tells us, it lasted for 8 days.

The miracle of the oil has become the center of Rabbinic customs and laws surrounding Hannukah. When Jews observe the holiday of Hannukah they are required to use a chanukiyah that has room for 8 candles all at the same level, and one separate candle called the shamash, at a different level. The shamash candle is higher (or lower) then the other 8 candles and is used to light the others. When I was a little boy, growing up in Chicago, we had a home with a large bay window in the living room that was filled with beautiful plants. Before Hannukah, my mother would clear out many of the plants and set up a large chanukiyah. She explained to me that Hannukah was the festival of lights and we were celebrating the miracle of the cruse of oil.

At that time, my mother was not familiar with the Aramaic phrase, pirsumei neesa, but she knew exactly what the rabbis wanted. Pirsumei neesa means that we are advertising, or publicly observing the miracle of Hannukah. We want to share that miracle with others and let them know how God was able to work wonders. Hence, we open the drapes and share the light.

I thought about the Hannukah celebrations of my youth just the other day when I was guiding a family through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. As we walked by Jewish homes we noticed that a number of them had a niche by the front door with a chanukiyah inside. I explained to them that this chanukiyah was lit on the eight nights of Hannukah. Interestingly, the architect had made sure that the family would be able to publicize the miracle to all who walked by if they placed the lit candles in the niche.

Today, most Jews put candles in their chanukiya, but many Israelis prefer to use olive oil that has been made from olives that have been beaten and strained. Once the olive oil has been strained of the lees (insoluble matter from the olives), the result is refined, high-grade olive oil that yields a brighter light with less smoke. As the light burns brighter and thus attracts our attention, we are more likely to be reminded of the miracle of Hannukah.

May you be blessed with the gift of recognizing the bright lights in your life during the upcoming holiday season.

Warmly,

Rabbi David Ebstein

Rabbi David Ebstein resides in Jerusalem and is a frequent contributor to Travelujah. He is an ordained rabbi and licensed tour guide in Israel and specializes in bar and bat mitzvah programs as well as tours for Christians seeking to learn more about the Jewish roots of Christianity.