As usual, there are columnists and caricaturists who exploit these days of Chanukah to bash chareidim, demanding that they perform their army obligation, like in the days of the Chashmonaim. If it weren't so sad, it could almost be funny. Isn't there a limit to ignorance and cabbage-headedness?
Therefore, in order to set historic facts straight, allow us to quote from the Book of the Maccabees, written in those very days by a Jew living in those times. These are the distinct words of Matisyohu ben Yochonon, Kohen Godol, father of the Hasmonian family and leader of the rebellion against the Greeks, this is what he said to his sons right before his death.
"We Jews find ourselves at a time of trial and travail. That is why my sons rose up to zealously defend the honor of the Torah of Hashem, our G-d. They risked their very lives to uphold His covenant, remembering the deeds of our ancestors of yore who were the pride and honor for generations to come.
"Our ancestor, Avrohom, was tested; he put his faith in Hashem; he trusted in Him and it considered as a credit to him. Yosef guarded Hashem's commandment in time of trial and became a lord in Egypt. Pinchos zealously guarded Hashem's honor and was rewarded with the everlasting role of Kohen. Yehoshua kept the precepts of Hashem and served as a noble and leader of all of Israel. Caleb testified the truth in public before all of his people and was duly rewarded with a rich portion.
"Thus, too, did King David persevere in wholesomeness and was rewarded with an eternal dynasty of royalty. Eliyohu was also zealous in defending Hashem's honor and rose to Heaven in a fiery chariot. Chananya, Mishael and Azarya trusted in Hashem; likewise, Daniel in the lions' arena.
"Thus, if you study the chronicles of history, generation by generation, you will come to realize that whoever trusts in Hashem will be surrounded by loving-kindness.
"Therefore, be not be afraid of the wrath of the wicked because their honor will turn into the shreds of the moth and the dung of the fields. Today the evil ones will rise and flourish, only to vanish tomorrow. The wicked one will return to the earth and his memory will be erased. Therefore, rally my sons, fortify your hearts in the Torah, and Hashem will escalate your good name."
This, then, was the army of the Chashmonaim which rallied forth to sustain our Torah — exclusively. The Jews of that era were not in physical danger since the Greeks were not interested in wiping them out. But the Torah was threatened and the Chashmonaim waged the battle to protect and save it.
So please, for the sake of historic truth and accuracy, leave the Maccabees be for they belong to the chareidim and not to the camp of those who defile and blaspheme the hosts of the living G-d through their persecution of the Torah upholders and the pure keepers of His commandments.
