Ask The Rabbi

What the Elephants?

The Color of HeavenArtscroll
Topic: Chanukah, Elephants

Ceil Carey wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

I work in the youth services department of a library and in a child's book we see an elephant used as a symbol of Chanukah but no explanation. Could you explain the symbolism of an elephant in the celebration of Chanukah? Thank you so much.

Dear Ceil Carey,

According to the Book of Maccabees, the ancient Greek armies came against Israel with fearsome armored elephants. It is known from other historical sources as well that the Greeks used elephants in warfare. They were the ancient tanks!

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