Post date: Nov 25, 2013 4:10:2 AM
Why did Chazal wait a full year before establishing Chanukah as a holiday?
The Sefas Emes tells us that a holiday can only be established when it pertains to the entire population. Until the miracles of Chanukah took place, Hellenism was so pervasive that there were large clusters of Jews who had made themselves into Yevanim (Misyavnim) to such an extent that they effectively disassociated themselves from their Jewish brethren.
So, while individuals were able to commemorate their salvation, a full-fledged holiday could not be enacted since only those still loyal to the Torah could appreciate and relate to the liberation from the Yevanim. Over the course of that first year, the realization that Hellenism’s hold on Eretz Yisrael was over became more apparent, and the wayward gradually returned to Judaism. By the time of the first anniversary of the miracle, Chazal were able to establish the holiday of Chanukah as all of Jewry now had returned, and now the miracle was truly appreciated by everyone.
[Days of Joy, p. 96]
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The letters of “Shemen” could be interpreted as being Roshei Teivos for the following phrase:
Shileimim Masru Nafsham
Spiritually whole people (the Chashmonaim) sacrificed themselves (to sanctify Hashem’s Name).
[Inside Chanukah, p. 463]