A millionaire held a pool party at his mansion, with sharks swimming in the pool. Suddenly, he announced that anyone brave enough to swim across the pool would receive a million dollars in cash. No one volunteered. He raised the stakes: he would also give away his yacht and massive villa, totaling fifty million dollars.
Suddenly, a figure was seen in the water, carefully swimming between the sharks, and emerging on the other side. The stunned millionaire asked, "Who should I make the check out to?" "I don't want a check," the swimmer replied breathlessly, "I want to know who the scoundrel was who pushed me into the water..."
The Hasmoneans teach us a powerful lesson about trust in Hashem. Why do we celebrate Chanukah for eight days when the miracle of the oil flask lasted only seven days? On the first day, they had the natural oil which was found, the miracle occurred only in the seven following days when the oil didn't run out.
The miracle of the first day is that the Hasmoneans jumped into the water (or oil). They didn't let tomorrow's shortage prevent what needed to be done today. They didn't sink into realistic worries of "what will be?" Why should we light the menorah tonight if the oil is only enough for one night and seven more days will pass before new, pure oil can be brought? Instead, they took all the flask's contents and poured them into the menorah branches. They were one hundred percent certain that He who had helped them until now would help tomorrow to fulfill the commandment of lighting with pure oil.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe wrote to someone: Miracles happen after someone jumps into the water, but the problem is that people avoid jumping into the water. The depth is frightening, and they stay outside. There is a video of the Rebbe where a woman asks for a blessing for spiritual strength. She aspires to advance in Torah and commandments but fears she won't withstand the greatness of the challenge. The Rebbe answered "There are two ways to learn swimming: to stand outside and observe how to swim or to jump inside and strive to manage. The second approach is much more effective..."
The first day of Hanukkah reminds us of a miracle greater than the one of the oil. The miracle of the human beings who rose above and were willing to open themselves to trust in the all-powerful G-d.
The Hasmoneans understood the foundation of existence: Life is a partnership between humans and Hashem. Humans do everything in their power, and then Hashem does everything in His power, in an infinitely greater way. Humans create a natural vessel and preparation for blessing, and then the blessing comes from above in a way that's incomparable to the vessel itself.
Today, make that first move to increase your Torah and mitzvah experience. Celebrate the miracle of Chanukah by taking the step that you are scared to take.
Happy Chanukah and Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman