Nadene Goldfoot
What was the meaning of having a cruse of oil always lit in one's synagogue, especially the one in Jerusalem ? What did it stand for? Why did runners run to the nearest town that would have oil to refill the Synagogue's cruse that had about burned out after being in hands of the enemy?
The Ner Tamid (Hebrew for "Eternal Light" or "Everlasting Flame") is a lamp that hangs above or directly in front of the Holy Ark (Aron Kodesh) in a synagogue.
- Biblical Origin: In the Torah, God commands the Israelites to bring pure, beaten olive oil to keep a lamp burning continually (ner tamid) in the Tabernacle (Mishkan) and later in
- the Holy Temple in Jerusalem (Exodus 27:20–21 and Leviticus 24:1–
the reason for the light is to give honor to the Divine Presence that rests wherever a quorum of Jews gather to pray. To me, this represents that G-d is with those who struggle to continue following Moses' precepts-maybe not all 613, of which many are being following automatically in our daily lives unbeknown to to, as well. It is the reminder of who we are. and how we behave.
During the period of the Second Temple (~516 BCE – 70 CE), in around 200 BCE, Antiochus III, the Seleucid king of Syria, took control over the kingdom of Judea. He allowed the Jews living in Judea autonomous rule for some time, but then his son Antiochus IV replaced him. Trying to unify his kingdom, Antiochus IV prohibited Jews from practicing Judaism and commanded them to worship Greek gods.
Which way to town?
This resulted in civil war between ruling Hellenized factions that had been installed by Antiochus IV and traditionalists. The rebels were led by the priest Matityahu of Modiin, known as the Maccabees. After two years of guerrilla warfare, the rebels were able to overthrow Seleucid rule.
In the traditional Hanukkah story, the runners do not run from Jerusalem for oil; rather, in modern Hanukkah celebrations, a torch relay runs from Modi'in to Jerusalem
Historical background
- Ancient Modi'in (also spelled Modin or Moditha) was a small Jewish village in the western foothills of Judea, located about 20 miles northwest of Jerusalem. It is best known in ancient history as the hometown of the Hasmonean (Maccabean) priestly family and the birthplace of the Maccabean Revolt.Key Historical Milestones
- Spark of the Revolt (167 BCE): In Modi'in, the elderly priest Mattathias was ordered by officials of the Seleucid Empire (under Antiochus IV Epiphanes) to offer a pagan sacrifice. When another Jew stepped forward to comply, Mattathias killed him and the royal officer, then tore down the pagan altar—an act that ignited the Jewish revolt for religious and political freedom.
- The Hasmonean Tombs: Mattathias and his sons (including Judah the Maccabee, Jonathan, and Simon) were buried in Modi'in. Simon later built a grand family sepulchre adorned with towering stone pyramids, colonnades, and ships visible from afar.
Many Jews went along with these demands and were known as Hellenized Jews. Tensions rose and in 168 BCE Antiochus IV invaded Jerusalem, killing thousands, and erected an altar to Zeus in the temple. Along with a statue of Zeus, the sacrifice of pigs (a normal practice in ancient Greek worship) began to take place in the temple.
Modern Day Application
In days gone by, the ner tamid was an actual flame. In the modern era, however, using light bulbs or LED lighting has become ubiquitous and perfectly acceptable. (Note that many Chabad congregations are not particular to have a ner tamid.)
