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Opinion Go prove that Maccabi didn't have a sister Israel today

2022-12-19T20:53:25.836Z


At first, Hana's brothers reacted with anger and shock. They wanted to kill her because she was a disgrace to them, but then she scolded them. Brave and forgotten, she had the courage to say what they all kept quiet


There is a female protagonist for Hanukkah.

A heroine whose voice is strong and resonates in today's painful Israeli reality.

A heroine who implores us to look around us and check who is in need, and who needs help.

If we dare to learn from her and tell about her, we can increase awareness of violence against women, and give expression and voice to women who have been silenced throughout the generations.

Her story is not taught in schools, certainly not in kindergartens.

But according to the midrash she is the true hero of Hanukkah.

Her name was Hanna, daughter of Matthew, and she was the sister of the Maccabees, according to the Midrash.

She plowed for three years.

Three years in which every woman who married would be raped by the Greek hegemon and only then enter her home.

Three years and eight months.

And it's terrible to imagine how many women went through this humiliation.

On the day of her wedding, Hanna, daughter of Matityahu, decided to put an end to the matter.

In the middle of the meal, while all the distinguished and important guests were eating their hearts out and enjoying themselves, Hana bet Mattiyo stood up in front of everyone and tore her wedding dress.

She stood naked in front of all her family and friends.

At first her brothers reacted with anger and shock.

They wanted to kill her because she was a disgrace to them.

But then she scolded them.

After all, everyone knows and ignores it.

Everyone knows what awaits her tonight at the hegemon's place, and no one lifts a finger to save her.

"Shemon, my brothers and uncles! And what if because I stood before the righteous naked without any offense, you are jealous of me - and you are not jealous of handing me over to a virgin to abuse me?!".

In painful and poignant words, Hanna daughter of Matthieu rebukes them for their behavior.

According to the midrash, the entire Hanukkah miracle is based on one woman, brave and forgotten, who dared to say what they all kept silent.

And because of this the Maccabean rebellion broke out.

She was the creator of the holiday.

Did this story really happen?

This is a question that may arise when this story is heard.

After all, this is not a story that is told as part of the celebrations.

We know the miracle of the Fat Mouth, the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks, the purification of the Temple and the heroism of Judah the Maccabee.

About a woman who caused the rebellion, about a sexual abuser who was behind the rebellion - we never heard.

And maybe the reason for this is that it is easier to tell a story about wars between bad guys and good guys.

For victory in sword and battle, and not for silenced sexual violence.

Another piece of evidence for the story of Hanna, daughter of Matthew, is found in Rashi's commentary on the issue of lighting Hanukkah candles in Tractate Shabbat. In this issue, the question arises as to whether women are obligated to the mitzvot of lighting Hanukkah candles. The answer is that women are obligated, and the Talmud's explanation for this special obligation is that women were complicit in that miracle.

Rashi in the same place interprets the Talmudic expression "he was in the same miracle", and writes that one of the decrees was that every Jewish bride should marry a Tafser (ruler) first, and the miracle was performed by a woman.

Here is proof that this story is not a new story.

Even Rashi, the great commentator, knew it. It is probably an ancient story that unfolded in the Jewish tradition, and gave place and voice to a reality that was known at different times in our history. 

The story of Hanna daughter of Matthieu is a difficult story, and it remains hidden and untold.

But in my eyes, it is the most important story there is.

Hannah, daughter of Matityahu, succeeds in expressing the voice of the silenced women throughout the generations, and even now.

She reaches out to these women, gives them a voice, and tells us how much we should be here for each other.

To support women whose voice was taken from them by violence, and to help them voice it.

She teaches us that sometimes, presenting the naked truth, no matter how painful, is the only way to bring about change.

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Source: israelhayom

All news articles on 2022-12-19

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