In a recent social media blunder, Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, faced mockery and criticism for his inaccurate retelling of the Hanukkah story. Emhoff’s now-deleted post on [platform X] claimed that during Hanukkah, the Jewish people were forced into hiding and that the few drops of oil they had miraculously lasted for eight days. However, Emhoff’s version of events is far from the true story of Hanukkah.

The story of Hanukkah dates back to the second century BCE when the Jewish people were under the rule of the Seleucid Empire, led by King Antiochus IV. Antiochus imposed strict laws that forbade Jews from practicing their faith and desecrated the Second Temple in Jerusalem. In response to this oppression, a small group of Jewish warriors known as the Maccabees, led by Judah Maccabee, revolted against the Seleucid Empire.

The Maccabees fought valiantly against the overwhelming might of the Seleucid Empire. Despite being outnumbered and facing great adversity, they ultimately emerged victorious. The Maccabees successfully reclaimed the Second Temple and rededicated it to the service of God. This event is known as the Maccabean Revolt.

During the rededication of the Temple, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to keep the menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum, lit for one day. However, a miracle occurred when the oil burned for eight consecutive days, allowing the Maccabees to obtain more oil and continue the lighting of the menorah. This miraculous event is at the heart of the Hanukkah celebration, which lasts for eight days and nights.

Doug Emhoff’s misinterpretation of the Hanukkah story is evident in his now-deleted social media post. Emhoff claimed that the Jewish people were forced into hiding during Hanukkah, suggesting a narrative of fear and survival. However, the true story of Hanukkah revolves around the Maccabees’ resistance against religious persecution and their fight for the right to practice their faith.

pic.twitter.com/PmmuRWLJEN

— WhiskeySilverball (@WhiskeySlvrBall) December 12, 2023

Emhoff’s inaccurate retelling of the Hanukkah story sparked criticism and mockery from various people. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, expressed disappointment in Emhoff’s misrepresentation, emphasizing the importance of recounting the story accurately. National Review editor, Philip Klein, highlighted the absurdity of rewriting Hanukkah as a story of Jews hiding, rather than Jews fighting against assimilation.

Doug Emhoff apparently thinks the Macabees were hiding out in some sort of subterranean lair with an oil lamp.

This is emphatically not the story of Hanukkah.

Reconsecration of the Temple and recommitment to biblical values and teachings is the story of Hanukkah. https://t.co/ERZAWFN9GG

— Will Scharf (@willscharf) December 12, 2023

No, jerkoff, Hanukkah isn’t about Jews HIDING; it’s about Jews FIGHTING FOR THEIR LAND. https://t.co/k5NO5fuxCW

— David Reaboi, Late Republic Nonsense (@davereaboi) December 12, 2023

Oh. My. God. And there’s no one even minimally literate enough in the East Wing to have corrected this. This is like Lucy explaining fir trees to Linus and saying they give fur for coats. Only Lucy is 5 years old. https://t.co/T5GuGVoWAf

— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) December 12, 2023

This is totally wrong.

Stick to your wife making up Kwanza stories from her childhood… https://t.co/scxavvqnWd

— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) December 12, 2023

Hanukkah is a celebration of the Jewish people’s resilience, determination, and commitment to their faith. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for religious freedom and the importance of preserving cultural and religious traditions. The story of Hanukkah is one of triumph over oppression and the preservation of Jewish identity.

While Doug Emhoff’s misinterpretation of the Hanukkah story sparked criticism, it also presents an opportunity for reflection and education. Hanukkah teaches us the importance of standing up for religious freedom, fighting against assimilation, and preserving cultural heritage. By understanding the true story of Hanukkah, we can appreciate the resilience and dedication of the Jewish people throughout history.