Banu+Choshech+Levarech

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Although not necessarily politically correct, this video brings images of the IDF with the Chanukah song Banu Chosech Levarech. Its basic message is that the soldiers of the IDF can help dispel the darkness that befalls Israel when our enemies are not "in their best behavior." The quality of the video is debatable, but it does serve the purpose of its accompanying lesson

The lesson, though, has material that can be used to discuss some of the differences of view between those who live in Israel and those who live in the Diaspora, which I usually do. When I teach Chanukah, I point out to students that while in the Diaspora (in general) we tend to focus on the miracle of the oil, in Israel (again, in general) the focus is much more on the military victory. I allow my students to discuss why they think this is so, which leads to a great discussion about how different a perspective we have when living there or here. We discuss how the American Jews might not feel it is appropriate to publicly celebrate the military victory of the minority who lived surrounded by the assimilated majority, while in Israel military victory can be celebrated without the risk of being taken for an outsider. I also discuss with them how in Israel the idea that we need to act and not only wait for miracles to happen is part of their daily reality.

The material that comes with the video discusses how Jews go from Divine Deliverance to Self-Defense, comparing the Maccabees with Israeli Soldiers. It discusses other songs sung at Chanukah time, showing how, for example. Naomi Shemer interpreted "Maoz Tzur yeshuati" not to refer to G-d, but a military outpost; how Mi y'malel reworks a verse of Psalms so that it refers to the mighty acts of the people (as opposed to G-d). It gives a fairly accurate view of Modern Zionism, allowing a teacher in high school (or with adults) to discuss some of the values upon which the State of Israel was established.