A story is told about Israel Solomon, a Jewish soldier at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War. During Chanukah, in the midst of the freezing cold, Israel lit his Chanukiah. All of a sudden, General George Washington startled him and said, “What is this? What are you doing, are you mad? Are you a spy?” Israel replied, “No General, but let me explain.”
“Over 2,000 years ago we Jewish people were fighting a war very similar to yours. The Jews won that war because we fought for the truth. We fought for our freedom. We too were greatly outnumbered, but we won because we believed in God and He helped us to victory.” Then Israel smiled at General Washington and said, “And you will win tomorrow also, God will help you just as He helped us and we will win!”
General Washington replied, “You are a Jew from the nation of prophets. I treat what you have said as a prophesy from God Himself. What happened the next day is now history: Washington’s forces scored a great victory and America won independence. This reminds us of Zechariah 4:6 read during Chanukah, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD Almighty.”
A few years after the war, Israel Solomon heard a knock on the front door of his home. To his surprise, it was President George Washington. The President handled Israel a gold medallion engraved with a Menorah. Inscribed were the words, “A Token of Gratitude for the Light – George Washington.”
The President continued, “Mr. Solomon, you don’t know what you did that night at Valley Forge. I was sure we had no chance of winning. We lacked ammunition, we were outnumbered, and we had insufficient food and clothing. I was planning to surrender, but your lights and your prophecy changed all that. If it wasn’t for you and your Menorah, I don’t know if we would be standing here today as free men.”
Chanukah, known as the “Festival of Lights” and the “Feast of Dedication,” is also the “Season of Miracles.” We say on Chanukah, “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham – A Great Miracle Happened There.” As we continue to “Dedicate” our lives to God, may we proclaim the words, “Nes Gadol Hayah Po – A Great Miracle Has Happened Here!”
Rabbi Yossi Laster
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