Political Whisperer

By Robert Hornak

This week we celebrate Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Light. While the events that became Hanukkah took place over 2000 years ago, the story has much to offer today as we see bitterly hateful, antisemitic movements growing across the globe.

The Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, originally built by King Solomon in the 10^th Century BCE, was the center of Judaism for hundreds of years. However, it was also the target for whoever wanted to eliminate the Jews. The first Temple was destroyed around 587 BCE by the Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar II, leading to what was called the Babylonian exile for the Jews from Jerusalem.

Eventually the exiles returned, and under the leadership of King Herrod the Great, the Temple was rebuilt. Fast forward a few hundred years and Jerusalem was part of the Syrian-Greek empire. The Syrians ruled the region, and early leaders had good relations with the Jews, who were thriving in Jerusalem.

But that changed when Antiochus IV became the ruler of Syria in 174 BCE. He decided that a common religion was needed to unify his empire and set out after the Jews to force them to adopt Hellenic culture and religion. Jewish practices like observing the Sabbath and dietary laws were forbidden under penalty of death.

To make a long story brief, after many years of suffering this oppression, a rumor spread that Antiochus was killed in battle against Egypt. The Jews revolted against Menelaus, who Antiochus had installed as the High Priest of the Temple. But the rumors of Antiochus’ death were premature, and when he heard about the revolt he ordered his army to attack the Jews.

Initially, the Syrians had the Jews on the run, but eventually a leader emerged, Judah the Strong, also known as Maccabee, who rallied the Jews and began a guerilla war that eventually defeated a Syrian army of over 40,000 soldiers.

Upon taking back the Temple in 139 BCE, the found only enough oil to light the menorah, or candelabra, for one day. But it takes eight days to make the oil for the lamps. The oil miraculously lasted all eight days until the new oil was ready to provide the Jews with the light they needed for the Temple. And that is why we continue to celebrate Hanukkah to this day, a holiday that marks the retaking of Jerusalem and miracle that lit the Temple that was restored to Jewish control.

Religious leaders will surely expound on the religious significance of these events. Here we discuss the political and cultural significance.

First, we see that what Jews are facing today is not new. We have been dealing with this kind or persecution for thousands of years. And we always not just survive, but we thrive. Jews are tough and are used to fighting against overwhelming odds.

Second, Jews were living in Jerusalem not just before Muslims, but hundreds of years before Islam even existed. The Jewish claim to this as their ancestral homeland is indisputable. Efforts to paint them as colonizers, or Israel as an apartheid state, aren’t just misguided but are the basis of the antisemitic movement that seeks to delegitimize their right to have their own country and their right to exist at all.

Third, NYC is about to swear in a new mayor who does not recognize Israel’s basic right to exist. When confronted he claims to believe they have a right to exist, just not as a Jewish state. However, he does not seem to have the same reservations about the over 50 Muslim countries in the world.

Well, newsflash Mamdani, Israel IS a Jewish state and to change that would change the very fundamental nature of the country. And that seems to disturb the soon-to-be mayor who needs to rule over the city with the largest Jewish population in the world outside of Israel.

Let’s hope Mamdani will not make life for Jews here uncomfortable. And if he does, will the light prevail?

Robert Hornak is a veteran political consultant who has previously served as the Deputy Director of the Republican Assembly Leader’s NYC office and as Executive Director of the Queens Republican Party. He can be reached at rahornak@gmail.com and @roberthornak on X.