Ma’oz Tzur

This past Sunday, I was listening to WRTI and heard this song on the radio. It was part of a Chanukah special that was airing (happy third night of Chanukah to those who celebrate). ‘Ma’Oz Tzur’ (Rock of Ages) is a Jewish liturgical poem, or piyyut, composed in the 13th century. This song of praise is traditionally sung after the lighting of the menorah candles. It recounts the many times that God has delivered the Jews from their foes and persecutors. The fifth verse is a particularly significant verse, as it tells of the Hasmonean victory that is commemorated by Chanukah:

Greeks gathered against me
then in Hasmonean days.
They breached the walls of my towers
and they defiled all the oils;
And from the one remnant of the flasks
a miracle was wrought for the roses.
Men of insight – eight days
established for song and jubilation

Kerot komat berosh bikeish agagi ben hamedata,
Venihiyata lo lepach ulemokeish vega’avato nishbata,
Rosh yemini niseita ve’oyeiv shemo machita,
Rov banav vekinyanav al ha’eitz talita.
Rov banav vekinyanav al ha’eitz talita.

Sources:

TheTorah.com: https://www.thetorah.com/article/maoz-tzur-and-the-end-of-christianity
Trmarvin.org: https://trmarvin.org/a-closer-look-at-maoz-tzur/