Stand for Israel

Photo Credit: Israel Antiquities Authority

Archaeologists in Jerusalem uncovered a Second Temple artifact which testifies to the ritual practices performed in the Holy Temple. The artifact, a clay seal the size of a button, is inscribed with the Aramaic words Daka Le’Ya, meaning “Pure for God.”

The inscription dates back to the first century, and is consistent with Jewish literature which teaches that no oil was to be used for lighting the menorah in the Temple unless it had the signature of the High Priest stating that it is “Pure for God.”

The fact that this ancient artifact has been brought to light on Hanukkah is no coincidence. While there were many miracles performed for the Jewish people when they waged war against the much mightier Greek army, it is the miracle of the oil that we celebrate.

After the Jewish people succeeded in driving the Greeks out of their land, the priests entered the Holy Temple to perform the Temple service that had been prohibited by the Greeks. When they entered, they found a Temple that had been completely desecrated – the instruments of service were destroyed and the oil used for lighting the menorah was defiled.

Amidst the havoc which prevailed in the Temple, the Cohanim, or Priests, found one jar of oil remaining which had the seal of the High Priest – “Pure for God.” The jar contained enough oil for one day and it would take an additional eight days to produce more pure oil fit for lighting. Yet, God performed a miracle and the oil lasted for eight days.  

The service of lighting the menorah in the Temple was called the Aish Tamid or “Eternal Flame.” The Cohen (priest) would light the menorah every morning and it would continue to burn through the following morning, so that the menorah would be lit continuously.

What is unique about the light of the menorah which was lit in the Temple and that we light today on Chanukah? When describing the creation of the world; Genesis 1:4, states that “God saw that the light was good, so he separated between light and darkness.” Thus, the reason for the separation between light and darkness was because “God saw that the light was good.”

Our sages teach that the original light which God created was too pure, too holy, for a world inhabited by both good and evil. So God stored away the original light of creation for those that will enter the World to Come. That is why the verse says that upon seeing the goodness of that light God had separated it – He was storing it away for a future time.

The light of the menorah is a taste of the light of creation, the hidden light, which is to be revealed in the World to Come. Since the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, we no longer have access to that light except on Hanukkah. Therefore, it is no coincidence that on this Hanukkah archaeologists uncovered for the first time a Temple seal used to stamp on the menorah oil – “Pure for God.”