וַיַּעַן וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי לֵאמֹר זֶה דְּבַר יְיָ אֶל זְרֻבָּבֶל לֵאמֹר לֹא בְחַיִל וְלֹא בְכֹחַ כִּי אִם בְּרוּחִי אָמַר יְיָ צְבָאוֹת
Then he explained to me as follows: This is the word of Adonai to Zerubbabel: "Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit" said Adonai.
[JPS translation edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Are "might and power" ever necessary?
2. Why is this verse traditionally associated with Chanukah--a holiday commemorating a military victory?
3. How have Jewish attitudes toward might and power changed since the creation of the state of Israel?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)