When I think of Greece, I recall the great people in my life who were connected to it by their Greek origins. My mother-in-law, a first-generation American fluent in Ladino, brings us into that world with her cooking and language. My friend, Dr. David Ishakis, is another excellent connection. He is known for his professionalism and kindness, though he has a competitive streak in fantasy football. It’s interesting that our Chanukah story’s protagonist was linked to such a beautiful country and people.
Historically, Greece wasn’t precisely the antagonist during the Maccabean era; instead, it was the Assyrian Greeks, a faction of the Greek Empire based in Syria. In our era, Greece has contributed its rich culture and delicious food, and in many ways through their admiration of human talent, epitomized by the Olympics.
Notably, the Hebrew word yavan can symbolize the descent of G-dliness into earthliness. If you look at the letters in the Hebrew word yavan, they can be perceived as a descension from the yud down to the long nun, an allegory to their dragging of G-dliness down into burying it in earthliness.
It’s no coincidence that Chanukah typically falls on the weeks of Yosef in the parsha. Yosef, numerically equivalent to 156, is the same as Antiochus. Diametric opposites, yet a link of connection in beauty. Yosef was known for his looks, even taking time to curl his hair. But Yosef’s beauty was more than skin deep; he infused G-d in his abilities and perfected himself to the degree that he got the unique aphorism Yosef HaTzaddik. Our role is to channel our G-dly beauty and merge it with our spiritual aspirations.
