Hannukah’s Real Lesson: Why Western Nations Must Reject Hellenistic Universalism

Of all the holidays on the Jewish calendar, Hannukah has always been one of my favorites. Even when I was younger and far less observant, I appreciated its rituals—lighting the menorah, spinning the dreidel, enjoying potato latkes—and the profound historical resonance behind it. My given Hebrew name, “Maccabee,” draws directly from Judah Maccabee, the hero of this story.

Hannukah’s timing has made it the most commercialized Jewish holiday in America, with corporate leaders and elected officials seeking to weave it into Christmastime celebrations. This commercialization is anodyne at best—a distraction that pales compared to the troubling trend of American politicians distorting its meaning for self-serving agendas. For decades, liberal figures have invoked the menorah’s light to champion abstract universalist ideals like justice and freedom, often misrepresenting the holiday’s core narrative. Former President Barack Obama once framed it as an opportunity to “recommit ourselves to building a brighter future,” while others, like then-vice president Doug Emhoff, egregiously misrepresented its historical roots.

To me, Hannukah is fundamentally a particularist and nationalist holiday—a story of resistance against Hellenistic assimilation. It chronicles the Maccabees’ revolt against the Greek-Syrian Seleucid Empire, which sought to crush Jewish identity through physical force and spiritual subjugation. The miracle of the oil lasting eight nights symbolizes resilience, but its true significance lies in the military victory that preserved Judaism’s cultural and religious integrity. The holiday’s essence is not gift-giving or political rhetoric—it is a testament to unwavering commitment to heritage amid assimilationist pressures.

Today, this lesson feels urgently relevant. The modern Maccabees—those senselessly slain at Sydney’s Bondi Beach last Sunday—are the latest victims of Hellenistic universalism gone awry. Western societies must confront the reality that human cultures are not interchangeable commodities but complex, irreplaceable entities shaped by unique traditions and values. We cannot reduce people to economic units or demand uniformity across civilizations.

The Maccabees’ legacy teaches us that cultural identity and civilizational pride—when rooted in truth and conviction—cannot be sacrificed for the siren song of assimilation. As Western nations grapple with rising tensions, they must rediscover what made them strong: respect for their distinct identities without chauvinism or arrogance. Hannukah’s true message is a call to honor our heritage while recognizing that societies thrive when they protect what makes them uniquely themselves—not by erasing others but by embracing the depth and diversity of human civilization.

Josh Hammer is the Senior Editor-at-Large of Newsweek, host of “The Josh Hammer Show,” and author of the weekly newsletter “The Josh Hammer Report.” He also writes as a syndicated columnist through Creators Syndicate and serves as a research fellow at the Edmund Burke Foundation.