What is Chanukah? During the period of the second temple, the Syrian-Greek kingdom issued decrees against the Jews observing the Torah and following the commandments in an attempt to cause them to culturally assimilate. They disrupted the Sanctuary of the Temple and rendered it ritually impure. G-d sent redemption through a rebellion led by the […]
Hanukkah is the festival on which Jews celebrate their victory in the fight for religious freedom more than two thousand years ago. Tragically that fight is no less important today, and not only for Jews, but for people of all faiths. The Jewish story is simple enough. In around 165 BCE Antiochus IV, ruler of […]
My dreidels delight me. They delight me because of their colors and shapes; they delight me because of all that they represent and they delight me because guests in our home smile when they see them. But sometimes a guest will look at my collection with a curious twinkle and ask: “But why so many? […]
Introduction to Chanuka Chanuka commemorates the miracle of God’s saving the Jews during the time of the Greek empire. The Greeks wanted to destroy Judaism and Jewish practices and have the Jews follow the Greek culture and religion. A small group of Jews defeated the Greek army, which was the world’s greatest military force at […]
There are precious moments in our lives that we all wish to make memorable and lasting. Lighting the menorah is one of those special moments. Many of us simply light the menorah and move on. The key to success: Don’t rush through this precious mitzvah. Slow down. Take in the moment. Pious Jews were known […]
For Part 1 click here. A shiur from Rav Soloveichik on the halachot (laws) of chanukah as presented in the Gemara in Masechet Shabbat and in the Rambam’s Mishna Torah. Delivered in December 1970.
A shiur from Rav Soloveichik on the halachot (laws) of chanukah as presented in the Gemara in Masechet Shabbat and in the Rambam’s Mishna Torah. Delivered in December 1970. For Part 2 click here.
The following is meant as a convenient review of Halachos pertaining to Chanukah. The Piskei Din for the most part are based purely on the Sugyot, Shulchan Aruch and Rama, Nosei Keilim, and the Mishna Berura, unless stated otherwise. They are based on my understanding of the aforementioned texts through the teachings of my Rebbeim. […]
Chanukah Specific Reminders: Keep the menorah away from curtains or any other flammable objects. Keep the menorahs away from the reach of small children. When making latkes, keep ALL children away from the hot oil. When making latkes, remember to turn frying pan handles away from the edge of the stove, so that they do […]
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 flames are lit. Actually, the question of whether to begin the lighting with one flame and proceed, adding one each night, to eight on […]
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