Hanukkah occurs in the month of Kislev, a time steeped in miracles, resilience, and the triumph of divine light over darkness. Kislev, a name resonating with “trust” and “security,” invites us to reflect on the role of Jewish faith throughout history. While the bravery of the Maccabees often takes center stage during this month, the strength and wisdom of Yehudit reveal another layer of the Hanukkah story. Her bravery illuminated a path for future Jewish women leaders, such as Dona Gracia Nasi, Soleika Hachuel, Benvenida Abrabanel, and others, whose actions upheld the strength Yehudit embodied.

Yehudit’s story unfolds in Bethulia, a besieged Jewish city during the Seleucid oppression of the 2nd century BCE. While the Maccabean revolt sought to reclaim the desecrated Temple in Jerusalem, Yehudit’s defiance became a local beacon of hope. As Bethulia faced starvation, Yehudit, a widow of remarkable wisdom and beauty, devised a daring plan. She infiltrated the enemy camp, earning the trust of their general, Holofernes, through a feast laden with salty food to inflame his thirst. Yehudit offered him wine until he succumbed to intoxication and seized the moment to behead him with his own sword. The Seleucid army, disoriented and leaderless, fled in chaos, leaving the people of Bethulia to celebrate the miraculous victory.

Sephardic and Mizrahi history is rich with women who have embodied Yehudit’s spirit in their own struggles. Dona Gracia Nasi (1510–1569), a Sephardic leader, used her wealth and influence to create an underground network, helping Conversos (secret Jews) escape persecution during the Spanish Inquisition. Like Yehudit, Dona Gracia utilized her intellect and resources to safeguard her people, becoming a symbol of Sephardic resilience.

Soleika Hachuel (1817–1834), a young Moroccan Jew, became a symbol of faith and resilience during a turbulent period in Moroccan history. At the age of seventeen, Soleika faced relentless pressure and threats to abandon her Jewish faith and convert to Islam. Despite these repeated attempts and the grave risks involved, she stood firm in her convictions, embodying immense courage. When the efforts to forcibly convert her failed, Soleika was arrested and ultimately sentenced to execution. Her martyrdom, akin to the ancient sacrifice of those who upheld the sanctity of Torah under duress, stands as an act of Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of G-d's name). It is a reminder that in choosing death over forsaking her faith, she affirmed the eternal bond between the Jewish soul and its Creator.

Following the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492, Benvenida Abrabanel (1473~1560), a prominent Sephardic businesswoman, established her home in Naples as a refuge for displaced Jewish families. During this turbulent time, she worked with the Roman emperor, Charles V, to ensure safe passage for displaced Jewish families. By forging alliances with princesses and other influential figures, she played a crucial role in securing vital protections for Jewish communities. Her efforts reflected a deep sense of wisdom as she navigated the complex challenges of her time.

In British-ruled India, Flora Sassoon played a vital role in preserving Jewish identity and traditions. As a businesswoman and community leader, she successfully expanded her family's trading empire while remaining deeply committed to her heritage. Flora invested in Jewish schools, synagogues, and charitable causes, ensuring that her community could withstand the pressures of assimilation. Her dedication to education and tradition made her a respected figure among Indian Jews and beyond.

During World War II, Roza Eskenazi joined anti-fascist partisans in Nazi-occupied Greece, where she risked her life daily as a spy, courier, and saboteur. Roza became known for her incredible bravery as she used her knowledge of local terrain to carry out missions that disrupted enemy operations. Her contributions to the resistance were invaluable, and her courage remains an inspiring example of defiance in the face of tyranny.

As we kindle the Hanukkah lights this Kislev of 5785, we honor not only the Maccabees but also the legacy of Yehudit and her successors. Their stories teach us that resistance manifests in many forms: strategic action, faith, and a commitment to identity. These heroines remind us that resistance, anchored in emunah (faith), is a sacred act. It has the power to transform darkness into light and exile into redemption.