On Chanukah and Purim we insert prayers of thanksgiving specifically for the miracles of those holidays in the berakhos of hoda’ah, thanksgiving, in the Shemoneh Esreh and the birkas ha’mazon, grace after meals.
The story of Chanukah in ‘al hanissim is a condensed account of the struggle of the Chashmonaim against the Greek-Syrians. The ‘al ha’nissim texts for both Chanukah and Purim are found in the Siddur of Rav Amram Gaon, the first siddur. ‘Al hanissim does not mention the miracle of the oil.
The question is: Why Doesn’t ‘Al haNissim Mention the Miracle of the Oil?
I believe the answer lies in the nature of the berakha of modim. We say:
We gratefully thank You, for it is You Who are Hashem, our God and God of our forefathers for all eternity; Rock of our lives, Shield of our salvation are You from generation to generation. We shall thank You and relate your praise – for our lives, which are committed to Your power and of our souls that are entrusted to You; for Your miracles that are with us every day; and for Your wonders and favors in every season – evening, morning and afternoon. The Beneficent One, for Your compassions were never exhausted, and the Compassionate One, for Your kindness never ended – always have we put our hope in You. For all these, may Your Name be blessed and exalted, our King, continually forever and ever. Everything alive will gratefully acknowledge You, Selah! And praise Your Name sincerely, O God of our salvation and help, Selah! Blessed are You Hashem, Your Name is ha’tov, the Beneficent One and to you it is fitting to give thanks. (Artscroll translation)
There are two types of nes, miracles: Nes nigleh and nes nistar, Obvious miracles and hidden miracles. The miracles mentioned in modim are exclusively nes nistar, hidden miracles that follow the course of nature created and controlled by God every day for:
our lives…
salvation from generation to generation…
our lives…
our souls that are entrusted to You…
Your miracles that are with us every day…
Your wonders and favors in every season – evening, morning and afternoon…
Your kindness never ended…
Everything alive will gratefully acknowledge You.
The miracle of the oil is a nes nigleh, an obvious miracle, a clear demonstration of God’s power to change the course of nature and make the oil burn longer than it normally would burn.
This different type of miracle would be out of place in a berakha dedicated to the hidden miracles of everyday existence. Hence, the miracle of the oil is left out in ‘al hanissim and the victory of the Chashmonaim, a nes nistar of battles fought and won according to the laws of nature is included in modim.
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