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Unity in Chanukah
Something that occurred to me last Shabbat:
The Maccabean Revolt started out as a civil war between the traditional Jews and the Hellenistic Jews. From there it moved on to a rebellion against the Seleucids. Nowadays on Chanukah there are different customs for candle-lighting: Some light around sunset and some light after Tzet Ha'kochavim (when the stars come out). Slight as this is, it's a disagreement, the sort of which, when maxed-out, can lead to civil war. But then we have Shabbat Chanukah: On Erev Shabbat even the Jews who light after dark have to light around sunset, while on Motzei Shabbat, even the Jews who light around sunset have to light after dark. Thus, both groups calmly concede the other's custom.
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