Chanukah -- the eight-day festival of light that begins on the eve of Kislev 25 -- celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality.

More than twenty-one centuries ago, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who sought to forcefully Hellenize the people of Israel. Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of G-d.

When they sought to light the Temple's menorah, they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks; miraculously, the one-day supply burned for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity.

To commemorate and publicize these miracles, the sages instituted the festival of Chanukah. At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting: a single flame on the first night, two on the second evening, and so on till the eighth night of Chanukah, when all eight lights are kindled.

On Chanukah we also recite Hallel and the Al HaNissim prayer to offer praise and thanksgiving to G-d for "delivering the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few... the wicked into the hands of the righteous."

Chanukah customs include eating foods fried in oil -- latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts); playing with the dreidel (a spinning top on which are inscribed the Hebrew letters nun, gimmel, hei and shin, an acronym for Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, "a great miracle happened there"); and the giving of Chanukah gelt, gifts of money, to children.

The plane is landing in New York on December 5th, the pilot takes the mike: "welcome to New York we have just landed in JFK airport, to all those sitting in their seats with their seatbelts fastened I'd like to wish a merry Christmas, and to all those walking down the aisle a happy Chanukah!"

***

It's that time of year again.

In the privacy of their homes and in the center and malls of their towns, Jews the world over will gather around the menorah, the "Chanukia", to celebrate: play Draidel, eat fried Latkes and jelly doughnuts, and give out Chanukah presents galore. And of course let's not forget the "Gelt".

However, there is one essential part of the Chanukah experience which unfortunately is neglected – to watch and listen to the dancing flames of the Menorah as they tell their story. The fifth Rebbe of Chabad taught that one must listen to story the Chanukah lights tell us.

So here is the plan: Give yourself a few minutes alone with the lights, and watch and listen as they dance, sing and act their story, the story of Chanukah, in their own style.

To listen to the flame and take in its message, is a touching experience, for it tells the story of lives; past, present and future.

Let me relate to you the drama I watched one flame dance out for me last year:

Once upon a time, many years ago, in the land of Israel there lived a nation called the Jews. These people were monotheists only believing in one infinite creator, and following his commandments diligently, with all their heart and soul. They built a great temple in the city of Jerusalem where they brought sacrifices to their G-d.

The country of Israel at that time was ruled by the Syrian Greeks, and its ruler was Antiochus Epiphanes, a mighty and evil ruler who decided to "modernize" the people of Israel.

With his gods of stone and earth, and thousands of armed soldiers he set out to destroy the Jewish religion.

Many Jews were attracted to this 'sophisticated' life, and betrayed their religion; they took on the name "Hellenists".

Even the holy temple was desecrated, a pig sacrificed on the altar.

Alas, to his dismay, this was only a partial success, as there remained a small but powerful force of "Fanatics", who clung with all their heart and soul to their heritage, and didn't change their garb inside or out. These people called themselves the Macabbees.

The Macabbees waged many wars against the Greeks, and with G-d's help finally regained the city of Jerusalem.

It was time to rededicate the holy temple by lighting the seven-branched Menorah. To their dismay, they could only find enough kosher oil for one day, and to get new oil would take eight days.

With little choice and much faith, they lit the Menorah.

And the menorah burnt for eight days!

*

What a story! I looked at the flame, who continued dancing silently yet with so much excitement. Did he still have more to say?

He did. "So why did the rabbis declare this holiday of Chanukah?" he asked.

Me: I guess it's because we won the war!

Flame: Haven't we won greater victories in our history?

Me: Well then perhaps it is to celebrate the miracle of the lights.
Flame: That too, but haven't you missed the most important thing of all? After all, we Jews have witnessed greater miracles, yet they remain uncelebrated?

Me: Ok, I give up, why not tell me yourself?

Flame: The sages declared a holiday, because this was the first time in history that people revolted not out of poverty, tyranny or dictatorship, but out of religious freedom, a revolt for a noble G-dly cause.

Even if we had not won this war, this act would warrant a holiday. The moment a person stands up for his convictions he has performed a miracle, he has surpassed his nature.

So spoke the little flame, and my soul was touched. As my flame was ignited, I walked out, inspired to spread the message that miracles can happen…

By you and me!

For more information please visit Chabad.org