Noting the horrific religious persecutions now taking place in the Middle East and elsewhere, Jonathan Sacks contends that Hanukkah should be seen as a festival celebrating freedom of religion. Indeed, he writes, part of the holiday’s message is that religious freedom stems from piety rather than skepticism:
More than half a century ago, the Oxford philosopher John Plamenatz noted that religious freedom was born in Europe in the 17th century after a devastating series of religious wars. All it took was a single shift, from the belief that “faith is the most important thing; therefore everyone should honor the one true faith” to the belief that “faith is the most important thing; therefore everyone should be free to honor his or her own faith.” . . . The very fact that my religion is important to me allows me to understand that your quite different religion is no less important to you.
It took much bloodshed before people were prepared to acknowledge this simple truth, which is why we must never forget the lessons of the past if we are to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. Hanukkah reminds us that people will fight for religious freedom. . . .
The symbol of Hanukkah is the menorah we light for eight days in memory of the Temple candelabrum purified and rededicated by the Maccabees all those centuries ago. Faith is like a flame. Properly tended, it gives light and warmth, but let loose, it can burn and destroy. . . . For though my faith is not yours and your faith is not mine, if we are each free to light our own flame, together we can banish some of the darkness of the world.
Read more on Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/12/06/why-hanukkah-is-the-perfect-festival-for-religious-freedom/