From: Martin in St. Louis

Dear Rabbi,

A central theme of Chanuka seems to be the victory of Torah over the philosophy of the Greeks. Does that mean that Judaism rejects the wisdom of the nations? Is there no redeeming value to that wisdom according to the Torah? Thank you.

Dear Martin,

True, Chanuka commemorates the victory of Torah over those who wanted to uproot it. However, the battle was not against the wisdom of ancient Greece per se, but against the “philosophy” which asserts that the wisdom of the nations is superior to that of the Torah; that the pursuit of wisdom is an end in and of itself, and the intellectual arrogance which that breeds.

According to the Torah, G‑d is the source of all wisdom, and it is G‑d who imparts wisdom to mankind, as in the verse: “In the hearts of the wise-hearted I have put wisdom” (Ex. 31:6). Furthermore, wisdom is not an end of its own, but rather a means to achieve spiritual heights. Therefore our Sages remarked (Berachot 17a), “The goal of wisdom is repentance and good deeds”. And elsewhere they warned (Avot 3:11), “One whose fear of sin takes priority over his wisdom, his wisdom will endure; but one whose wisdom takes priority over his fear of sin, his wisdom will not endure”.

While the highest form of wisdom according to Judaism is that of the Torah, one can only achieve it through humility. In the verse, “Where shall wisdom be found” (Job 28:12), the Hebrew word for “where” is “m’ayin” which also means “from nothingness”. From this, the Talmud (Sota 21b) comments that true Torah wisdom can only be found in one who “makes nothing” of himself, i.e. is humble. This idea is echoed in the words of the prophet, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom…but let he who glories, glory in this – that he understands and knows Me” (Jeremiah 9:22).

However, the Torah also recognizes the importance of the wisdom of the nations. Just as one recites a special blessing upon seeing an outstanding Torah scholar, there is a blessing upon seeing an outstanding secular scholar: “Blessed are You…Who has given of His knowledge to human beings” (Sh.A., O.Ch. 224:6,7). However, just as wisdom in Torah is only valued when it is accompanied with righteousness and humility in the service of G‑d, so too secular wisdom is only valued when it is subservient to spirituality – for the betterment of mankind, and as a means for appreciating the wonders of G‑d’s Creation.

Perhaps this is one of the many ideas alluded to in the seven-branched Menora, which symbolically radiates the light of wisdom into the world.

The purpose of each branch of the Menora in its service in the Temple of G‑d is to support the vessels of pure olive oil placed upon them in which the flame of G‑d was kindled. Our sources identify among the nations seven branches of wisdom (grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, music, geometry and astronomy). These branches correspond to the seven branches of the Menora; while the pure, illuminating olive oil transcending above them symbolizes Torah wisdom. This reveals that the wisdoms of the nations only fulfill their role in the world when they serve, and are subservient to, the wisdom of Torah placed above them, through which Divine light emanates into the world.