Chanukah or Tisha B ’ Av
D A N I E L J U S T E R
The War with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon
Israel still fights the long war in Gaza and soon may fight an all-out war in Lebanon against the Iran proxy , Hezbollah . However , the overall situation in the Middle East is much more dangerous than we may imagine . Israel ’ s liturgical narrative history recounts the depths of despair and defeat in the 9th of Av , the destruction of both Temples , the expulsion from Spain and even the Holocaust . However , Israel ’ s narrative also celebrates the extraordinary victories of Passover-Exodus , Purim during Persian rule and Queen Esther , and Chanukah in the war against the Syria Hellenist
Seleucids . This Chanukah we again remember the great victories to save Israel under the leadership of the Maccabees , 167-160 B . C . Will the present wars lead to another tragedy or an amazing victory ?
What We are Really Up Against
In the short term , it does not look like another 9th of Av . Israel will ultimately stay in Gaza even if there is a six week truce . This truce is very unlikely since Hezbollah has no motive to give up the hostages without a total end of the war . Israel cannot do that , so we face a grievous and sad reality . Also , if Israel fully goes to war against Hezbollah in the north to enforce U . N . resolution 1701 , that Hezbollah has to remain behind the Litani River in Lebanon and surrender their arms so there is one