Drill Baby, Drill. Nah, I am not getting involved in the energy/environmental debate in this article. I refer to a different kind of oil, those pure drops that are squeezed from an olive. The Torah is filled with references to Olive Oil and its prominence in Jewish life. We have an entire holiday dedicated to the miracle of the small jug of Olive Oil that burned for eight days.
Yet, there is also another role that Olive Oil plays in Judaism. It is one of the metaphors for Torah itself. In fact, of all the food metaphors for Torah, including water, bread, and wine, oil is a metaphor for the deepest secrets of the Torah, represented by Kabbala and Chassidus. As today, the 19 of Kislev, is the New Year of Chassidus (more on that www.chabadneworleans.com/
Oil has two qualities that give us lessons in Jewish life. On one hand, oil doesn’t really mix with any other liquid. Inevitably it floats to the top and separates out. On the other hand, whenever oil is inserted into another substance, within a short time it manages to impact it entirely. Put a little oil into a dish of food and it becomes oily all over. So, while it doesn’t assimilate, it still impacts everything with which it comes into contact.
What the Hellenists sought to achieve leading up to the Chanukah story, was Jewish assimilation. You can keep your culture to the extent that it fits in with the “melting pot” of Greek society. The Maccabees examined their deepest Jewish identity and realized that they were like oil. No matter how much you attempt to force it to assimilate, inevitably it floats to the top and separates out.
In the last few hundred years, Jews have faced similar challenges. The calls for assimilation have come from within and without. From where do we draw the strength to remain true to our “oil-like” identities? This was one of the goals of the Chassidic movement.
To take it a step further. With the power of these deep teachings, one can not only successfully counter the movement towards assimilation, but these teachings are like oil in food. With time, they impact everything they touch. Every aspect of Torah and Jewish life has been positively influenced by the teachings of Chassidus. Chassidus has infused Jewish life with an elevated sense of joy, warmth, and vitality, along with profound, yet pragmatic insights into G-dly living.
Psalms states: “This is the day which the L-rd has made; let us be glad and rejoice on it.” Join us this evening as we celebrate this special day and its message. Register at www.chabadneworleans.com/key.
Shabbat Shalom and good Yom Tov!
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin