Sicha, Shabbos Parshas Miketz 5732
A. Purim vs Chanukah
While Chanukah and Purim have many similarities, there’s a significant difference between the two: Chanukah celebrates a supernatural miracle, while Purim’s miracle occurred in a more natural manner. (Source 1)
B. The Sources for the Chanukah Story
The Chanukah story is described briefly in the Al Hanisim prayer insert, where the story of the battle miracles are told (Source 2). The story of the miracle of the jug of oil is told in the Talmud. (Source 3)
C. Why Al Hanisim is not Recited on Sukkot and Passover
When G-d’s guidance of the Jewish people is entirely miraculous, there is no need for actual warfare to achieve the required outcome, as it will be realized through a miracle, as was the case with Moses’ wars. This differs from the wars of Joshua, most of which were conducted through natural means, albeit with Divine assistance from above.
This explains the Torah’s prohibition against a person with a physical defect participating in battle. Although the victory ultimately comes through G-d’s power, there must also be a natural framework. Such a person, who might struggle to fight effectively, is therefore not sent to war.
This was evident in the Maccabean War when they needed to engage in literal warfare through natural means. It was within this natural effort that the miracle manifested, leading to their victory.
This also clarifies why we say Al HaNisim on Chanukah and Purim, but not on Passover. The miracle of the Exodus from Egypt did not involve natural means and did not require warfare; it was a completely overt miracle. In such a manifest miracle, there is no need to highlight the role of the Divine, as it is evident to all. However, on Chanukah and Purim, where the miracles were cloaked in natural events, it is necessary to emphasize that these were divine miracles, and thus we recite Al Hanisim.
