“It was a miracle…wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles,” so begins a lyric from Fiddler on the Roof. It is all about love. Then the song goes on to list some of the BIG miracles outlined in the Bible.
God took up Daniel once again
Stood by his and side and miracle of miracles
Walked him through the lions den
Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles
I was afraid that God would frown
But like he did so long ago, at Jericho
God just made a wall fall down
When Moses softened Pharaohs heart
That was a miracle
When God made the waters of the red sea part
That was a miracle too
But of all God’s miracles large and small
The most miraculous one of all
Is that out of a worthless lump of clay
God has made a man today
Hanukkah is all about miracles. There is the story of the oil. Or maybe the miracle is that the ragtag group of Maccabees using some form of guerrilla warfare managed to turn over a very large, organized military force. Our job, our obligation is to publicize the miracle. That’s why some families put the chanukiah in the window or on the porch or in a courtyard.
In our liturgy we talk about miracles. In the full Song at the Sea, we explore the miracle of the parting of the See of Reeds. Portrayed in this song, which we use parts of every week in the Mi Chamocha, we praise G-d for being on our side. Horse and Rider, He has thrown into the sea.
The midrash teaches us that when the Israelites saw the power of G-d at the parting of the sea, in one voice they exclaimed, “Ze Eli, This is my G-d.” Another midrash says that even a lowly bondswoman, a slave saw G-d, saw the miracle in that instant while Isaiah and Ezekiel, two of our greatest prophets only had visions of G-d, not first-hand direct experience.
In the Modim Anachnu prayer we thank G-d for all the miracles we experience and we say:
“We shall thank You and declare Your praise—for our lives which are in Your hand, for our souls which are in Your care, for Your miracles that are with us every day and for Your wondrous deeds and favors at all times: evening, morning and noon. O Good One, whose mercies never fail, O Compassionate One, whose kindnesses never cease: forever do we put our hope in You.”
To this prayer we add an extra prayer specifically for Hanukkah:
“And for the miracles and for the wonders and for the mighty deeds and for the salvations and for the victories that you wrought for our ancestors in their days and in this day.”
There seems to be a difference between wonders and miracles.
The language of Al Hanisim parallels the blessing for the Hannukah candles:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam she’asa nisum l’avoteinu, bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, Ruler of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days, and…
And what? In some versions this prayer ends “bayamim hahem bazman hazeh”. In others “bayamin hahem uzman hazeh,” including our own Siddur Sim Shalom. What’s the difference?
The first says that G-d performed miracles for our ancestors in those days. The second says that G-d performed miracles in days of yore and in these days. G-d still performs miracles. Today. Right now. If only we would open our eyes.
Earlier this week, I asked people what miracles they have experienced in their lives. Sunrise, sunset, the birth of a child were the most common responses. So, I ask you today…when have you experienced a miracle? Other answers included working through infertility. Healing from a disease. One person described falling off a horse. She couldn’t feel anything but knew she wanted to hold a grandchild. Then the feeling returned. Another said, ‘The way everything works. The variety and diversity of people and animals.”
I wrestle some with miracles. I am not sure that it is appropriate to pray for a miracle or to wish that G-d is on our side. How do we explain how some people were shall we say lucky to survive 9/11 but other people did not “deserve” a miracle. Or survived the Holocaust but 6 million Jews, 13 million people and 1M children, what was the reason they did not survive? It seems like a slippery slope. What do we do with all the recent COVID deaths?
Was it a miracle that I survived that car crash at this season in days of yore? I could have been killed in that seven car pile up? Or was it the first responders and then the medical care I received at Saint Vincents in New York? Was it a miracle that I survived that violent attack in Israel? Some would like to think so. Was G-d present that night. I believe so. But miracle, not so clear to me? Is it a miracle I found Simon, my bashert?
Nor does it bring me much comfort to apply the theory that G-d helps them that help themselves. I can think that the medical science that has brought us vaccines and cures for various diseases, not just COVID is a series of miracles.
For me then, miracles happen. Not because I as an individual necessarily deserve one, because most assuredly I do not. No, rather because of the chanun, the grace and compassion of G-d, the chesed, the lovingkindness of G-d. I am no more deserving than the next person or visa versa. A miracle just is. Something to relish. Something to cherish. Something that just is.
Later today, we will be watching the Michigan-Iowa Big 10 championship game, I am sure that there will be some who pray. On both sides. Mine are always for a clean game, good officiating and that no one gets hurt. May the better team win.
When my mother was still alive, we had a unique tradition that we have kept going to this day. After the candles are lit, we name them. Often names that coordinate with the colors, so a yellow one might be sunshine, a green one nature, a blue one, peace, a white one holiness. You get the idea. And then we would bet on the candles. Which one will go out last. Which one will most closely repeat the miracle of the oil. It causes us to slow down and really look at those candles. Maybe that is the miracle. Slow down. Open your eyes and find your miracle.
Adding this lovely poem about miracles and light that I found later. My dear friend, Alden Solovy, wrote beautifully. Again.