December 8, 2023
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GOLDIE
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ah k u n sue a s I h C
A Publication of the Goldie Margolin School for Girls
Don't Hate on Eight By Hodaya Harary ('27)
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hen you think of Chanukah, you probably think of candles on window sills and singing Maoz Tzur. You can probably taste the sugary donuts and savory latkes, oily enough to leave your ngers greasy. Eight nights of gifts and gelt and dreidel galore, all celebrating the miracles that happened to our nation years ago. We’ve all heard the story the small ragtag army of Jews who fought for the right to practice their religion freely, and somehow managed to defeat the formidable Greek army, even when the odds were against them. And on top of all that, after the terrible desecration of the Beis Hamikdash, the Holy Temple, one tiny ask of pure olive oil, shemen zait zach, was found buried beneath the rubble. This small amount should have hardly lasted one night. But instead, this oil burned for a full eight nights, an incredible miracle! However, have you ever stopped to wonder, “why eight”? Why couldn’t GD have made the miracle in seven days, or six days, or even one day? What is the signi cance of this seemingly arbitrary number, and can we see this signi cance anywhere else in the Torah? Before one can begin to understand the value of the number
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Goldie Globe Issue 4
eight, it’s necessary to rst recognize the importance of seven. Throughout the Torah, things always seem to happen by way of sevens. For example, the creation of the world in seven days, Se ras Haomer, the period of seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuos, and the seven branches of the Beis Hamikdash’s menorah. There are even a few instances outside of the Torah, like the seven musical notes of the diatonic scale or the seven colors of a rainbow. Aside from their obvious numerical similarities, these different entities have a lot in common. According to Kabbalistic teachings, seven symbolizes perfection attainable through natural means. It displays an idea of completion and satisfaction, all that can be achieved within the realm of tevah, nature. Eight, on the other hand, represents something above the laws of nature itself. It de es the seeming limitations of man’s ability. Chanukah is about achieving beyond the norms of faith and bravery. In the Chanukah story, the Jews fought with a passion and determination that wasn’t logical or natural. Therefore, their reward was a miracle reminiscent of this spirit. GD granted them an oil that burned eight nights, something that completely broke the laws of science and logic Continued on page 2
The Beauty of Brotherhood Page 3
The Chanukah Delicacy Debate Page 4
My Yearly Candle Conundrum Page 6
The Real Rules of Dreidel Page 7
Bobby's First Chanukah Page 8