Chanukah 351 articles

Jewish Holidays

The Rabbinical festival of Chanukah reminds us that the spiritual might of the Maccabim is not extinguished, but will continue to burn until the impending final Redemption, when complete material and spiritual sovereignty will be restored here in the Land of Israel.

The Lights of Chanukah: Laws and Customs
The Lights of Chanukah: Laws and Customs
The Lights of Chanukah The Jewish tradition is that on the first night of Chanukah one flame is lit, on the second night two, and so on until the eighth night when eight...
Apr 9, 2014
By OU Staff
Torah Reading for Chanukah: Part II
Torah Reading for Chanukah: Part II
1. Because Chanukah is an eight-day holiday, and a week is only seven days, there has to be at least one “Shabbat Chanukah,” when Shabbat and Chanukah coincide. This year, we...
Apr 9, 2014
By OU Staff
Torah Reading for Chanukah: Part I
Torah Reading for Chanukah: Part I
The first Chanukah was essentially a reclamation and rededication of the Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Temple, which had been misappropriated and defiled by the Greeks and their assimilated Jewish allies. It...
Apr 9, 2014
By OU Staff
Rav Soloveitchik on Chanukah and the Joseph Story
Rav Soloveitchik on Chanukah and the Joseph Story
Rav Soloveitchik discusses Chanukah and its connection to the story of Joseph, a story we always read about in the Parshat HaShavua on Shabbat Chanukah.
Nov 18, 2013
By Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik
What is Chanukah?
What is Chanukah?
Don't know? No worries! We've got you covered with this handy primer.
Nov 18, 2013
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
Chanukah Miracles: The Little Dreidel
Chanukah Miracles: The Little Dreidel
Be realistic; plan for a miracle. – Osho Beis Yosef asked, “Why do we celebrate Chanukah for eight days if there was ample oil to last for one day?  It would...
Nov 18, 2013
By Rabbi Eliyahu Safran
Thoughts on Chanukah & Vayeishev
Thoughts on Chanukah & Vayeishev
Why are 2 ideas – Joseph being thrown into the pit and the halacha that the menorah has to be below 20 amot – juxtaposed in the Gemara? The latest episode...
Dec 12, 2012
By Rabbi Yosef Grossman
The “Missing Yom Tov” of Chanukah
The “Missing Yom Tov” of Chanukah
One of the special laws of the shemitta year is the prohibition of sefichin – grains and vegetables which were not planted in the seventh year but rather grew by themselves...
Dec 10, 2012
By Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir
Dreidels and Daily Miracles
Dreidels and Daily Miracles
What does it take to experience a miracle? Nothing more than to live a life with eyes wide open...
Dec 10, 2012
By Rabbi Eliyahu Safran
Excerpts from “Inside Chanukah”
Excerpts from “Inside Chanukah”
1.4.    Why is the month in which Chanukah falls out called “Kislev”? On Chanukah, sparks of the ohr haganuz, the tremendously awesome primeval light that was hidden by Hashem at Creation...
Dec 10, 2012
By Aryeh Pinchas Strickoff

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