The real miracle: A Chanukah reflection

Nes gadol haya sham. 

A great miracle happened there.

Nes gadol haya poh.

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A great miracle happened here.

It is said that one day’s oil lasted for eight…

But the real miracle was the might of the ancient Maccabees then;

And the might of the modern Maccabees today.

The real miracle was the rededication of our homeland then,

And the rejuvenation of our homeland today.

The real miracle was a people that would not perish then,

And a people who persist today.

The real miracle was the light of faith that lit the dark then,

And the light of faith that burns bright today.

Sh’asah nisim l’avoteinu — with thanks for the miracle

bayamim hahem — then

b’zman hazeh — now!

Barry L. Schwartz is rabbi of Congregation Adas Emuno in Leonia and editor-in-chief emeritus of the Jewish Publication Society. His latest book is “Open Judaism: A Guide for Believers, Atheists, and Agnostics.”