The holiday of Chanukah revolves in large part around a miracle related to olive oil. In 
Biblical and Talmudic times, olive oil, used for light, heat, fuel and food, was a very important resource for energy. The limitations on this resource often posed problems in ancient times — just as modern limits on availability of energy resources pose a problem today. The traditional Jewish relationship to olive oil can teach us much about how we can relate to energy today.
Biblical and Talmudic times, olive oil, used for light, heat, fuel and food, was a very important resource for energy. The limitations on this resource often posed problems in ancient times — just as modern limits on availability of energy resources pose a problem today. The traditional Jewish relationship to olive oil can teach us much about how we can relate to energy today. Celebrate with us by saving energy with Canfei Nesharim this Chanukah.
The Miracle of the Vessels
The miracle of the Chanuka lights is well-known. After the Hasmonian Jews defeated the Syrian Greeks, they sought to rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem and light the Menorah. However, only one small vessel of oil was found, with enough oil to burn for a single day. Yet the Menorah miraculously burned for eight days. What is less well-known is how the miracle came to be. This drash will explore one teaching on the miracle of the oil, and a lesson it can offer to us in our modern times…Read more
Hanukkah and the Miracle of Saving Oil
The famous and oft-told miracle of one jug of oil lasting eight times its expected yield is certainly quite the miraculous happening. The idea of the utilization of a fuel resource for eight-fold of its expected output would be miraculous today, as well. Would it only be that our gasoline and other fuel supplies would yield such abundance! Even five-fold or three-fold would be tremendously helpful to our ability to utilize the limited and – in these times – expensive fuel resources…Read more
Tools and Resources
- Save Energy, Save Money, Protect the Environment! Read, download and share our Fact Sheet on Saving Energy with a Torah Teaching, “The Wisdom of Olive Oil” on the reverse side.
- Discussion Guide on Energy and Its Uses: Download and learn from this PDF how- and why – we need to save energy
- Order energy saving eco-reminders (stickers, magnets and keychains) for you and your community!
- Read the Statement on Climate Change: Learn about the consequences of our energy use from our Science & Technology Advisory Board
- Learn actions: Find out how you can help!