Question about Hanukkah

I have a question about Hanukkah, which I am in the process of observing. Someone pointed out to me that the books of Maccabees aren't in Tanakh, and that nowhere in either book are we commanded by G-d to kindle the Hanukkah lights, but that the decision to observe Hanukkah was made by vote (2nd Maccabees 10:6-8). So then, why do we celebrate Hanukkah, and why do we say in the Barucha that G-d commands us to kindle the lights?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

I would like to begin with a few words on the “apocrypha” and the Book of Maccabees.

The word “apocrypha” originates from the Greek word for “secret” or “non-canonical” and used to refer to biblical-style books that were never included in the Jewish canon. Such books include: Ben Sira, Maccabees, Judith, Enoch, Jubilees, and Baruch, among others.

We believe that the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible, the canon, were written with Divine inspiration while the books of the apocrypha were not, which is one reason they were not included in the canon. Other reasons that the books of the apocrypha were not accepted include: they contain inaccuracies in Jewish law, their authors are often unknown or suspect, and some of the ethical teachings in them are objectionable.

Nevertheless, the books of the apocrypha are referred to in rabbinic literature on occasion as they do have some value. For example, the Book(s) of Maccabees contains important historical facts, context, and information surrounding the Chanuka story. So too, the book of Ben Sira contains words of wisdom deemed of value to the sages and it is occasionally quoted in the Talmud.

Regarding your question on the Chanuka lights – the sages of the Talmud ordained the lighting of the Chanuka candles due to the miraculous burning of the one found jug of oil for 8 days.

Even though the mitzva of lighting Chanuka candles is a rabbinic mitzva a blessing is still recited over it just like it is for other rabbinic mitzvot as well such as the lighting of Shabbat candles and washing the hands before eating bread.

As you correctly note, the blessing on even rabbinical mitzvot includes the wording, “…who has sanctified us with His mitzvot and commanded us…”And the question is asked, how can we say that God “commanded us” to do these rabbinical mitzvot when they are not by the Tora, and by extension, not explicitly given by G-d?

The answer is that the Torah gave the sages license to institute additional mitzvot as they see fit as it says, “You shall act in accordance with the instructions they [the sages] give you.” [Deut. 17:11]