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Daily learning for the eight days of Hanukah
יום רביעי ב’ טבת
8th light
Wednesday December 28
The Daily Dose Positive and Negative Our cultural battle against the Greeks could have been perceived as a temporary and incidental one, but our Sages understood that this is a battle we will be fighting for generations to come. The excessive Greek philosophies and materialism will continue to threaten our belief in a single G-d who supervises and rules over the world. This is why ". לשנה אחרת קבעום ועשאום ימים טובים בהלל "(והודאהIn the following year [the hasmoneans and the Sanhedrin] established and rendered [these eight days] permanent and festive days with respect of hallel and thanksgiving. Shabbat 22B). Our sages understood that the encounter with the Greek culture will bring not only a negative outcome but also a positive one. By extracting the correct concepts and ideas, and channeling them in the right direction, our beliefs, Emunah can benefit from this encounter; allowing it to grow and become richer from the Greek culture’s spiritual treasures. The Gmara describes the Greek philosophy as it being the closest one to the path of our beliefs - לאורחא דמיהמנותא As is says " יפת אלוקים ליפת וישכן באהלי ”) "שםMay G-d extend Japheth, but he will dwell in the tents of shem” Beresheet, 9, 27) -
We can enjoy the philosophies of the Greek Culture (Japheth) by using it enrich our culture (dwelling in our tent). Not only did the Sages establish Chanukah by rendering [these eight days] “permanent” but also by rendering it “festive days” – a representation of the distance we keep from the negative aspects, and extractions we make of the positive aspects of the Greek culture. And how do we celebrate these eight days as “Festive days”? By saying “Hallel” for the strengthening our Emunah achieved from the encounter with the Greek culture, and by “Thanksgiving” for the temporary salvage from destruction. It would have been appropriate to celebrate this holiday with festivities and a feast (as we do in other holidays) but our Sages wanted the message to be clear: we should not get confused and think that the aspects we are supposed to be extracting from the culture are ones of worshiping the body and gluttony. The lesson we learn from the days of Chanukah is that our culture and nation can grow stronger from things that rise to corrupt any holiness. This is why we have rendered them not only days of commemorating but in addition, days of festivity.
Chanukah in the USSR part VIII "Amen," Osin echoed back. He sighed with relief, sat down and removed his hat. For some time we looked silently at the burning candles. They quickly melted, and the hot wax was spread pleasantly over the glass surface of the table. Then Osin caught himself, summoned Gavriliuk, and brusquely ordered him to clean it up. I returned to the barracks in a state of
elation, and our kibbutz made tea and merrily celebrated the end of Chanukah. Naturally, I told them about Osin's "conversion," and it soon became the talk of the camp. I realized that revenge was inevitable, but I also knew they had plenty of other reasons to punish me. Excerpted from Mr. Sharansky's book, Fear No Evil.
Wednesday December 28
8th light
יום רביעי ב’ טבת
Bs”d
בס”ד
HalaChanukah It is generally accepted in our countries that the most scrupulous practice is for each one in a household to light on the first night one candle. On the second (night) two candles, and so they add, until on the eigth night they are lighting eight. One should be careful that each person has their own special place for their candles, so that they will see how many candles each has lit. They should not light in a place where candles are lit during the rest of the year, so that it is obvious these are Hanukah lights. The candles should be in one row at the same (height) not one higher and one lower. There should be a gap from one candle to the (next) candle, so that the flame of one
does not approach to the next one. and make (it look like) a torc2 (bonfire). Candles made (from) (bees)wax should be separated, so that they do not heat up each other causing the wax to melt and (the candles) to be ruined. (If) one filled a dish with oil and placed wicks round it, (then) if one covers it with a (perforated) cover so that each wick is considered as an individual candle. If it was not covered by this cover even as one candle it is invalid, because they look like a torch. A lamp with two or more openings should not be lit by two people, even on the first night, because it is not obvious how many candles (each) is lighting.
Megilat Chanukah Shimon, the last of the sons of Matityahu, was chosen as the new leader of Yehuda. He transferred his support from Triphon to his rival Demetrious, which was crucial in his winning the throne. In return Demetrious officially accepted Shimon as the ruler of Yehuda and granted them freedom to practice their beliefs. Shimon defeated the last of the Hellenistic Jews, and also expanded the borders of his kingdom. The services in the holy Temple were renewed and there was peace in the land.
After some years Demetrious died, and his son, Antiochus demanded from Shimon the lands he had conquered. Shimon refused and war broke out once more. Shimon, who was already and old man sent his two sons, Yehuda and Yochanan to beat back the invaders. They defeated the Greek army, and finally, the Maccabean kingdom knew peace. Yochanan ruled after his father, Shimon, and remained loyal to Hashem.
Daily learning for the eight days of Hanukah Brought to you By
Wednesday December 21
1st light
יום רביעי כ”ה כסלו
If one lit an earthenware light, because after being lit for one light it already becomes old, and so one does not (want) to light this on the second night because it (already looks) disgusting, and so one should have an attractive menorah made from some kind of metal. One who can afford it should buy a silver menorah, to carry out the commandment in a beautiful way.
The commandment of Hanukah lights (is fulfilled) by lighting in the entrance next to the street because of (the requirement) to publicise the miracle. This was how it was done in the time of the Mishna and Gemara. At this time, when we live among the gentiles, one lights inside the house where one lives, if there is a window that looks out to the street one lights there. If not, one lights by the entrance (inside). It is a commandment to place them within a hand-breadth of the entrance left side, so that the mezuzah is on the right and the Hanukah lights on the left, making one surrounded by commandments. It is preferable to place them between the doorposts. It is a commandment to place them (at least) three hand-breadths above the ground, and below 10 hand-breadths. If one put them above 10 it is still valid, but if one put them more than 20 cubits high it is invalid, because above 20 cubits one does not usually look. One who lives on an upper floor can put them by a window, even though it is higher than 10 hand-breadths. However, if the window is higher than 20 cubits from the public ground level, it is not within eyesight of passers-by on the street. In this case, it is better to put them by the doorway.
Megilat Chanukah After Alexander the Great died in 323 BCE his empire was divided between his chief generals. The Seleucid Empire gained control of the Land of Israel. In 175 BCE Antiochus IV Epiphanies inherited the empire, and was a driving force in Hellenizing all his subjects, including the Jewish people.
7th light
Tuesday December 27
The Daily Dose
HalaChanukah All (types) of oil are valid for the Hanukah lights. However, the commandment is best carried out using olive oil, just like the miracle in the Temple that was with olive oil. If (olive oil) is not available, one should choose any oil that gives a pure and clean light, or wax candles that also give a pure light. Two (candles) should not be joined together because this resembles a torch (or fire), rather each candle should be separate. One should not use (candles) from idol worshippers temples, because (these) are considered repulsive (disgusting). Similarly, all kinds of wicks are valid for the Hanukah light, (but) the preferable way to carry out the commandment is with cotton (wicks). One does not need new wicks each night, but can relight the original ones until they are burnt up.
יום שלישי א’ טבת
and their own heritage. Yasson, who led these Jews, sequentially bought the position of the Cohen Gadol from the Greek rulers. He utilized his position to spread the Hellenistic culture, including building gymnasiums, theaters and idolatrous temples in Jerusalem.
In contrast there were also many Jews Many Jews were persuaded by the who fled Jerusalem and remained loyal to dominant culture and abandoned Hashem Hashem.
Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai Based on Ein Aya – by Rav Kok The Braita in shabat making the folowing statement: ת''ר מצות חנוכה נר איש וביתו והמהדרין נר לכל אחד ואחד והמהדרין מן המהדרין ב''ש אומרים יום ראשון מדליק שמנה מכאן ואילך פוחת והולך וב''ה אומרים .יום ראשון מדליק אחת מכאן ואילך מוסיף והולךOur Rabbis taught: The precept of Hanukkah [demands] one light for a man and his household; the zealous [kindle] a light for each member [of the household]; and the extremely zealous, — Beth Shammai maintain: On the first day eight lights are lit and thereafter they are gradually reduced; but Beth Hillel say: On the first day one is lit and thereafter they are progressively increased. The basic Mitzva in Chanuka is lighting one candle for each house, the Mehadrin lighting candle to each person in the house and the Mehadrin of the Mehadrin according Beit Shammai lighting 8 candle in the first day and reducing one candle each day and according Beis Hillel lighting in the first day 1 candle and add one candle each day. What is the argument rout between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai? In order to understand it we have to go back to see what is the massage from Chanuka.
Am Israel have a role in this world, our job is to bring the humanity to recognized in one G-D, as Isaiah said: “ “.ְס ֵּפרּו ַ ָתי י ִ ְּת ִהּל,ְּתי לִי ִ זּו יָ ַצר-עַםThe people which I formed for Myself, that they might tell of My praise. In Chanuka, in a matter of fact, we started, as a nation, to speared out the recognition in one G-D. In Chanuka we celebrate the triumph on the Greece. It was, and yet, a culture war, a struggle between approach who warship the idols to a belief in one G-D. Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai are arguing about the role of AM Israel in the process of leading the world to the recognition in one G-D. The candle light represented the wisdom and the belief. Beit shammai saying that in the end of the days the recognition in one G-D will be more important than the uniqueness of Am Israel therefore we lightning one candle symbolized the belief in one G-D. Beit Hillel, on the other hand, saying that although the main goal is recognition in one G-D Israel will keep their status as a unique nation that contains all the aspect of wisdom that symbolized by the light of the Menorha, therefore we increase the light; starting with 1 candle, and in every day add one more candle, that represented the quality of Am Israel, the quality of us.
Chanukah in the USSR part VII I arranged the candles and went to the coat rack for my hat, explaining to Osin that "during the prayer you must stand with your head covered and at the end say 'Amen.'" He put on his major's hat and stood. I lit the candles and recited my own prayer in Hebrew, which went something like this: "Blessed are You, God, for allowing me to rejoice on this day of Chanukah, the holiday of our liberation, the holiday of our return to the way of our fathers. Blessed are
You, God, for allowing me to light these candles. May you allow me to light the Chanukah candles many times in your city, Jerusalem, with my wife, Avital, and my family and friends." This time, however, inspired by the sight of Osin standing meekly at attention, I added in Hebrew: "And may the day come when all our enemies, who today are planning our destruction, will stand before us and hear our prayers and say 'Amen.'"
Tuesday December 27
7th light
יום שלישי א’ טבת
HalaChanukah One who is not at home, but in another place, if he knows that his wife is lighting at his home, he should light at that place, but without the blessings. It is preferable, if possible, that he should listen first to the blessings of someone (else) who is lighting there, and intend to fulfil his obligation from that ones blessings and respond Amen. and afterwards light without blessings. If his wife does not light at his home, and also (for) students in (a household where they are lodging, (they both) need to light with the blessings. Or, they may join in with the head of the household by giving him (even as little as) a ''Peruta'', so that they also have a share in the oil and wicks. The head of the household should add a little (more) oil, above the normal amount, (to allow) for their shares. However, they should do their best to light each one by himself. One who is in his own city, but in another house, when the time comes to light, should return to his (own) home and light (there). On Hanukah it is allowed to do work but women are accustomed not to do
1st light
Wednesday December 21
The Daily Dose work all the time the candles are lit, and one should not be lenient about this. The reason why women are stricter about this (than men) is because the decrees (of the Greeks) were harsher on the Jewish women. (For) they decreed that a virgin to be married must first have relations with the (Greek) governor. Further, because of the miracle that was done by a woman. The daughter of Yochanan the High Priest, was very beautiful. The enemy king asked her to sleep with him, and she said she would agree to his request. She then fed him dishes of cheese produce so that he would become thirsty and drink (much) wine, become drunk and fall asleep, and this did happen. She (then) cut off his head (while he was asleep) and brought it to Jerusalem. When the head of the (Greek) army saw that the king was dead, they (the head and his troops) fled. Therefore some have the custom of eating dairy dishes on Hanukah. to remember the miracle which was done through dairy (dishes).
Megilat Chanukah After Yehuda’s death the Hellenistic Jews rose up once again. Those loyal to Hashem were forced to hide in the deserts. The remaining Maccabees gathered in Tekoa, nominating Yonatan as their leader. Bakchides tried unsuccessfully to capture Yonatan, but eventually gave up and decided to leave Israel. Yonatan moved to the city of Michmas and eventually re-conquered Jerusalem. Taking advantage of the
יום רביעי כ”ה כסלו
instability in the Seleucid Empire, he became very involved in the power plays of the empire, gaining power and independence by backing the correct contender for the throne. Eventually, Yonatan’s patron, Triphon, fearing his growing influence, tricked Yonatan and killed him. Yonatan was buried near his father and brothers in Modi’in.
ANTI-MILAH DECREE/ based on by greatest beauty if affected by a relationship with God. The perfectly Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf article sculpted human recognizes and The Greeks had a particular dislike of embraces the reality of his transcendent the Jewish practice of Brit Mila, the soul. circumcision of a baby boy on the eighth day after his birth. In fact, they outlawed During the period of Greek oppression, Brit Mila was intolerable. It became a the practice of Brit Mila. capital crime. Why such string opposition? On a deeper level, the days of First of all, circumcision offended the Chanukah are eight days of Greek idea of perfection of the human transcendence. Days of opportunity to body. Public nudity was accepted in look both within ourselves and beyond, Greek society because every body was to sense that there is far more to our another piece of art. Greek Olympic existence than the world of nature could athletes competed naked. To the ever contain. Greeks, circumcision was mutilation of a masterpiece, like spraying graffiti on a The Greeks detested Brit Mila because of its "eightness," because it stands for Renoir. transcendence. The miracle of the oil To the Jew, Brit Mila is one of the most lasted for eight days as a reminder that essential expressions of Jewish identity. Jewish life is hewn from the Rock of A human being can only achieve its transcendence.
Chanukah in the USSR part I Natan (Anatoli) Sharansky was arrested in 1977 for his Zionist activism, his insistence on the right of Russian Jews to make aliyah to Israel. However he was accused of the much more serious crime of treason, for spying for the United States. He sat in prison from 1977 to 1986 including eight years in a Soviet prison camp in Siberia. After continuous public protest in the West, spear-headed by his wife Avital, Natan Sharansky was released in a spy exchange between the US and the USSR in 1986. After making aliyah and
establishing a Russian immigrant party in 1996, he became Israeli Minister of Industry and Trade and later of the Interior. His memoirs of the Soviet period are filled with sparkling anecdotes about the power of the few against the many -- the power that derives from "fearing no evil" and laughing in the face of oppression. The phrase, "fear no evil," is taken from the little book of Psalms, which he carried with him through his long imprisonment.
Thursday December 22
2nd light
יום חמישי כ”ו כסלו
of (three) stars. If they do not stay alight this long, the commandment has not been fulfilled. The order of lighting them according to our custom is: On the first night one lights the candle to ones right. On the second night one adds to this (another) candle on its left. Similarly, on each night one adds (a candle) on its left. The one that one adds is lit first, and then continue on lighting to the right. On the first night the one who lights should bless, before lighting, three blessings: ''...to light the light of Hanukah'', ''...who worked miracles for our fathers...'' and ''...who has kept us in life...'' and on the rest of the nights one does not say ''who has kept us in life''. After saying the blessings one lights one candle, and while lighting the others one says ''We light these lights on account of the miracles...'' etc. A convert says ''who worked miracles for Israel'' and if he says ''for our fathers'' it is valid. An ''Onan'', Heaven have mercy on him, if there is another (present) then the other lights with the blessings and the ''Onan'' responds Amen. If there is no other present, he should light (himself), but without the blessings.
Megilat Chanukah When Antiochus heard of the Jew’s unwillingness to accept the Hellenistic culture he was furious. He commanded to place statues of pagan gods in Jerusalem, and banned circumcision, Torah learning and observing the Shabbat. Violating those prohibitions was punishable by death. On the 25th of Kislev the Greeks, along with the Hellenized cohanim (priests)
6th light
Monday December 26
The Daily Dose
HalaChanukah The time to light them is immediately after the appearance of (three) stars and no later. It is forbidden to do anything before lighting them even (Torah) learning. But if one has not yet prayed the evening service one should (first) pray and after that light. Before one lights, one gathers together all the members of ones household, in order to publicise the lighting. One needs to put (enough) oil to (enable them) to stay alight at least half an hour. After the event, if one did not light immediately, one can light with a blessing all the time that the household members are still awake but after the household members are asleep, there is no publicizing of the miracle, and one lights without a blessing. If one did not have the oppurtunity to light at night, one can make it earlier and light from ''Plug Hamincha'' or later, that is to say 1 hour and a quarter before the (first) appearance of the stars. (these are seasonal hours according to the length of the day. On the days of Hanukah, the days are short, and the length of the day is 10 normal hours, then ''Plug Hamincha'' is 1 hour and two minutes (minutes) and a half.) as long as one puts enough oil so that they stay alight until half an hour after the appearance
יום שני ל’ כסלו
erected a statue of Zeus in The Holy Temple. Many Jews despaired and abandoned their religion and heritage. But many others remained loyal to Hashem, hiding in the mountains where they could continue to practice their faith. The Greeks continued to persecute them, killing those who were found observing the Jewish religion.
The Beauty war—Based on Sara Yoheved Rigler article Beauty as the ultimate value is an old problem. In fact, we can trace its roots to ancient Greek culture. The Greeks innovated the aesthetic ideal. While other ancient cultures beautified their buildings and pottery, the Greeks introduced the idea of beauty for its own sake, or, as we say today, "art for art's sake." The ultimate value of the Greeks was beauty; the ultimate value of the Jews was holiness.t, the Torah identifies the ancestor of the ancient Greeks to be Yefeth, the son of Noah. "Yefeth" means beauty. Chanukah celebrates the victory of the Jews over the Greeks. The conflict was not only a military war, but even more so a Kulturkampf between opposing values. The ultimate value of the Greeks was beauty; the ultimate value of the Jews was holiness. Even a cursory glimpse at contemporary Western society reveals that the Chanukah battle isn't over yet.
Chanukah in the USSR "Listen," I said, "I'm sure you have the menorah somewhere. It's very important to me to celebrate the last night of Chanukah. Why not let me do it here and now, together with you? You'll give me the menorah, I'll light the candles and say the prayer, and if all goes well I'll end the hunger strike." Osin thought it over and promptly the confiscated menorah appeared from his desk. He summoned Gavriliuk, who was on duty in the office, to bring in a large candle.
Judaism does not scorn beauty, but it relegates it to secondary importance. Beauty is worthwhile only when used to enhance the holy. Thus, the sages of the Talmud praised the Holy Temple in Jerusalem for its beauty, declaring that "one who never saw the Temple never saw a beautiful building." Jewish art consists of ancient mosaic synagogue floors and 19th century Polish Chanukah menorahs. Even the performance of mitzvot, the crux of Judaism, includes a concept called hiddur mitzvah, the beautification of the mitzvah. This is one of the reasons why Jews do not light just one Chanukah candle per household per night, but rather each person lights an increasing number of candles of the menorah every night. The concept that beauty should be secondary to holiness corresponds to Noah's blessing to his son Yefeth that he should "dwell in the tents of Shem." Noah's son Shem was the ancestor of the Jewish people. When beauty serves holiness, it enhances. When beauty becomes its own master, it tyrannizes
part VI "I need eight candles," I said. (In fact I needed nine, but when it came to Jewish rituals I was still a novice.) Gavriliuk took out a knife and began to cut the candle into several smaller ones. But it didn't come out right; apparently the knife was too dull. Then Osin took out a handsome inlaid pocketknife and deftly cut me eight candles. "Go, I'll call you later," he said to Gavriliuk. Gavriliuk simply obeyed orders. He was a fierce, gloomy man, and this sight must have infuriated him.
Monday December 26
6th light
יום שני ל’ כסלו
the altar''. For Levi ''and the one that offered on the first day'' etc. up to ''full of incense''. For Yisrael ''one young bullock'' etc. up to ''the son of Aminadav''. On the second day (we read) for Cohen and (then repeat) for Levi ''On the second day'' etc. and for Yisrael ''On the third day'' etc. Similarly, on the rest of the days for Cohen and Levi (we say the section) connected to that day and for Yisrael (the section) for the day after that. On the eighth day for Cohen and Levi ''On the eighth day'', for Yisrael we start ''On the ninth day'', finish all the Parasha and also in Parshat Beha'alotecha (we read) up to ''so he made the menorah''.
Megilat Chanukah The nations surrounding Israel, angry at the rebuilding of the Temple attacked many Jewish settlements, in Gilad, the Galil, The Negev and Shomron. Yehuda split his troops into two forces, to deal with the threats from the north and the south. After prolonged battles they beat back their enemies. However, their non-Jewish neighbors sent a delegation to Lysias, asking him for help. Lysias once more raised an army to fight Yehuda, this time with 100,000 foot soldiers and 20,000 cavalry. In addition he brought, for the first time, 32 war elephants.
2nd light
Thursday December 22
The Daily Dose
HalaChanukah All the time of the commandment, namely half an hour, it is forbidden to have benefit from their light, therefore it is customary to put by them the ''shamash'' that was used for lighting, so that if one did some activity by them one is using the light of the ''shamash''. One needs to place it slightly higher than the (other) lights, so that it is obvious it is not one of the (Hanukah) candles Three men read (in the Torah) each day, from the offerings of the princes in Parshat Naso, On the first day we begin (for) the Cohen from ''and it was on the day that Moshe had finished setting up'' up to ''for the dedication of
יום חמישי כ”ו כסלו
Unable to win, Yehuda retreated to Jerusalem, and Lysias laid siege to the city. That year was the Sabbatical Year (Shmita), and food was scarce in the city. But as the city was about to be conquered, a miracle occurred and Antiochus died. Once more Lysias abandoned the battle field and returned the Antioquia the capital. An additional army, under the general Nikanor was also beaten back by Yehuda, and finally the land was at peace and Yehuda’s men went home.
However their respite was short, and the new Greek king, Demetrius, surprised them Lysias approached Jerusalem from the with a force of 20,000 soldiers and 2000 south, and Yehuda met them in the field. cavalry, Led by his General Bakchides. Knowing that in order to win the battle they Unprepared, Yehuda had only 800 soldiers must swiftly eliminate Lysias himself, with him. Once again Yehuda led his men Elazar the Maccabee led the attack against into battle, but after a day of fighting, the largest elephant, where he assumed Yehuda himself was killed, along with many Lysias would be. Elazar succeeded in of his men. killing the elephant, but was crushed 7 years after the rebellion erupted, Yehuda underneath the dying beast. Unfortunately was buried in Modi’in, next to his father, Lysias was not on the elephant. Matityahu.
Pure oil, impure oil. The Pnei Yehoshua asks: “but as we know impurity was permitted for the public?” in other words, in the reality that existed during Chanukah, where everything was impure, and the need to light the Menorah was a public issue, it is permitted to light with impure oil. If so, why all the exertion, and why did we even need this miracle? In addition, if we go by the opinion that the oil was divided into eight, and a little oil was used each day, how could they have done this and counted on the miracle that the oil would suffice, instead of just using impure oil? We can explain this by understanding the fundamental reason of the war between the Jews and the Greeks. It was said that the Greeks darkened the
eyes of Israel. How did this “Darkening” manifest itself? The Greeks darkened our eyes with the claim “what you see is what you get” – that there is nothing deeper or beyond what our eyes can see, and there for there is no value to purity and impurity. Pure oil and impure oil look the same so according to the Greeks there is no difference between them. But the Nation of Israel believes in a reality beyond what our eyes can see. We have to open our eyes and realize that there is purity and impurity, holy and profane and there is value and meaning to our actions. According to this, it was critical to differentiate between the pure and impure oil, and that we make the utmost effort to use the pure oil, even if it means counting on a miracle.
Chanukah in the USSR part II The holiday of Chanukah was approaching. At the time, I was the only Jew in the prison zone, but when I explained that Chanukah was a holiday of national freedom, of returning to one's own culture in the face of forced assimilation, my friends in our "kibbutz" decided to celebrate it with me. They even made me a wooden menorah, decorated it, and found some candles. In the evening I lit the first candle and recited a prayer that I had composed for this occasion. Tea was poured, and I began to describe the heroic struggle of the Maccabees to save their people from slavery. For each zek [a prisoner in
the Soviet Gulag] who was listening, this story had its own personal meaning. At one point the duty officer appeared in the barracks. He made a list of all those present, but did not interfere. On each of the subsequent evenings of Chanukah I took out my menorah, lit the candles, and recited the appropriate blessing. Then I blew out the candles, as I didn't have any extras. Gavriliuk, the collaborator whose bunk was across from mine, watched and occasionally grumbled, "Look at him, he made himself a synagogue. And what if there's a fire?"
Friday December 23
3rd light
יום שישי כ”ז כסלו
The Hanukah candles are lit in the synagogue to publicize the miracle and one blesses over them. They are placed against the south wall and lit between the afternoon and evening (services). A person does not fulfill (the commandment) by the lights in the synagogue, but needs to go and light in his home. One who is a mourner, Heaven forbid, should not light the first
night in the synagogue, because one would have to say ''who has kept us in life'', and a mourner should not say ''who has kept us in life'' in public, but, in his home, he can bless ''who has kept us in life''. During all the eight days of Hanukah, we say in the Amidah ''For the miracles''. If one forgot and did not say this, (then) if one remembered before saying (G-d's) name in the blessing ''Whose Name is all-good'' etc. one returns and starts (again) with ''For the miracles'', but if one did not remember until after saying (Gd's) name, one finishes the blessing and does not return. During all the eight days of Hanukah (we say) the complete Hallel. We do not say the supplications, nor the (prayer) ''O Gd slow to anger'', nor ''For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David'' nor (on Shabbat) ''Your righteousness''.
Megilat Chanukah flame Matityahu jumped up and stabbed him with a sword he had hidden in his clothes. He then killed the leader of the Greek delegation as well. When the other residents of Modi’in saw what happened they attacked and killed all the Greek Matityahu the Cohen was a respected soldiers. leader in Modi’in. He had five sons – Matityahu, his sons and their followers fled Yochanan, Shimon, Yehuda, Elazar and to the hills of Gofna (North-East of modern Yonatan. The king’s messengers called day Modi’in) where they began preparing upon him to lead the ritual, but he refused. for the rebellion against the Greeks. Angry, they called upon another Shortly after the rebellion began, Matityahu Hellenized- Jew who ascended the altar. - who was by now an old man - died. He Before the latter managed to light the nominated Yehuda to lead the rebellion. It was during the time of Antiochus’s decrees that the Greeks came to the town of Modi’in seeking out any remaining Jews. They built a pagan altar in the town square and invited the residents to participate in the sacrifice.
5th light
Sunday December 25
The Daily Dose
HalaChanukah On Friday afternoon one lights first the Hanukah lights, and after that the Shabbat lights, however, it must be after ''Plug Hamincha'', (so) one should pray first the afternoon service. There needs to be (enough) oil so that they stay alight up to half an hour after the appearance of the stars, and if one did not do so this is considered a blessing (said) in vain. If one lit in the doorway, one needs to be careful and place something between them and the door, so that they are not extinguished by the wind on opening and closing the door.
יום ראשון כ”ט כסלו
A small big light In the Rosh Hashanah tractate of the Gemara there is a discussion regarding holidays that appear in Megilat Ta’anit and are no longer celebrated. The question that arises is why is Chanukah still being celebrated? After all, the military achievements where temporary and lasted only a few generations, so why continue celebrating it? The Gemara’s answer is because not only do we publicize a miracle but we were also given an additional mitzvah to observe – and we do not wish to stop observing it. How can we extend this lesson and make it relevant to us? Looking at the text of “Al HaNisim”, which is a thanksgiving prayer, it appears to also have more of an historical overview “Your children then entered the holiest part of Your House,
cleansed Your Temple…and designated these eight days of Hanukah for giving thanks and praise…” . Many times in our lives, we receive goodness, but don’t know what to do with it, or even more, it harms us. We thank Hashem not only for the miracle itself, but also for the guidance he gave the sages who took this good (the miracle) and did something good with it (creating an additional mitzvah), by which giving us a provision, the mitzvah, for the long Galut. They took a small light, and turned it into a big one. And for this we also give perennial thanksgiving. When we look at our Chanukiya, and the small candles burning, we should introspect and consider what small light in us can be turned into something more significant and meaningful in order to change our lives.
Chanukah in the USSR part V But he never forgot that the zeks were, above all, a means for advancing his career, and he knew how to back off in a crisis.
is the last evening of Chanukah. Let me celebrate it now, and taking into account your assurances for the future, I shall end the hunger strike."
Osin pulled a benevolent smile over his face as he tried to talk me out of my hunger strike. Osin promised to see to it personally that in the future nobody would hinder me from praying, and that this should not be a concern of the KGB.
"What's a menorah?"
"Then what's the problem?" I said. "Give me back the menorah, as tonight
"Candlesticks." But a protocol for its confiscation had already been drawn up, and Osin couldn't back down in front of the entire camp. As I looked at this predator, sitting at an elegant polished table and wearing a benevolent smile, I was seized by an amusing idea.
Sunday December 25
5th light
יום ראשון כ”ט כסלו
any event, the custom is to relight them (if they go out). It is customary not to light one candle from (another already lit) candle, rather light from the ''shamash'' or from another (ordinary) candle. Women are obligated to (light) Hanukah lights, because they were (also) part of the same miracle. A women can (therefore) light for her household. A child who has reached the (age of) training also is obligated. A blind person, if he can join to another by (paying even as little as) a ''perutah'' (to have a share in the candles or oil) should do so. If he has a wife, she lights for him (and he responds amen to her blessing). If he has no wife and lives (alone) in an appartment, where he has no one he can join in with, he should light (himself) with the help of some one else.
Friday December 23
Heaven and Earth We are accustomed to the idea that the difference between Chanukah and Purim is that on Purim the attempt was to destroy us physically, while on Chunukah the Greeks targeted our spirit. A proof of this is the fact that one who converted was not killed. Additionally we say in Chanukah’s “Al HaNisim”: “to make them forget Your Torah and to force them to transgress the statutes of Your will.” What spirit were the Greeks fighting against? One of the decrees the Greeks imposed was that the Jews had to write “We share no connection with the G-d of Israel” on the horn of the bull. This bull represents the realm of materialism in this world, the plow, the field labor. The
purpose of this decree was to force the Jews to state that there is no association between materialism and G-d. The Greeks could not accept the Jewish approach that there is holiness in the secular, and that this secular materialism in our daily lives can be elevated to become holy. This is why the G r eeks fo rba d t he m itzva h o f circumcision as well; for this mitzvah allows Man, by his own actions (and not G-d’s,) to take the material body and elevate it, sanctify it. The candle we light on Chanukah symbolizes this idea; t aki ng s ubs ta nce (ca nd le ) a nd connecting it to spirit (fire). G-d created the world imperfect, and gave Man opportunities to take action, perfect it, and to sanctify the secular and materialism in it.
Chanukah in the USSR part III
Megilat Chanukah Lysias, furious at his defeat, recruited a larger army, with 60,000 foot soldiers and 5000 cavalry. Yehuda’s forces at this point were a mere 10,000 men. Relying on Hashem, they bravely attacked the invading army. Once more they won the first sortie. Just as word reached Lysias, Antiochus became deathly ill. Lysias quickly abandoned the campaign in Israel, and left with his army to Antioquia. Taking advantage of the respite, Yehuda led his men to Jerusalem. Finding no one there to fight, he conquered it immediately. Upon re-entering the Temple, Yehuda and his men witnessed the destruction and desecration wrought by the Hellenistic Jews. They immediately rent their clothes
3rd light
The Daily Dose
HalaChanukah Carrying out the (act of) lighting performs the commandment, that is to say, the lighting is the commandment. (So) at the time of lighting the candles need to be in the right place and having enough (oil). In contrast, if one lit below three hand-breadths or above twenty cubits, and afterwards, when they are alight, put them into the (correct) location, this is invalid. Also, if at the time of lighting, there was not enough oil (to stay alight the required time) and afterwards added (oil) it does not help. Also, if one put them in place of much wind, where they will likely be blown out, one has not carried out the commandment and must light them again, but without blessing. However, if one put them in a proper place and by accident they went out, the commandment has been fulfilled. In
יום שישי כ”ז כסלו
and cried bitterly. Yehuda, quickly recovering, set out to cleaning and rededicate the Temple. A new altar was built and the holy vessels were remade. However, they could only find one small jug of oil that remained pure - enough for only one day. That day, the 25th of Kislev, exactly 3 years after a statue of Zeus was erected, the Temple was rededicated. Miraculously the jug of oil l as t e d f or ei gh t wh ol e d ays . At that point the elders and sages of that generation designated the 8 days following the 25th of Kislev to be celebrated every year, to commemorate the dedication (Chanukah) of the Temple.
On the sixth night of Chanukah the authorities confiscated my menorah with all my candles. I ran to the duty officer to find out what had happened. "The candlesticks were made from state materials; this is illegal. You could be punished for this alone and the other prisoners are complaining. They¹re afraid you'll start a fire." I began to insist. "In two days Chanukah will be over and then I'll return this 'state property' to you. Now, however, this looks like an attempt to deny me the opportunity of celebrating
Jewish holidays." The duty officer began hesitating. Then he phoned his superior and got his answer: "A camp is not a synagogue. We won't permit Sharansky to pray here." I was surprised by the bluntness of that remark, and immediately declared a hunger strike. In a statement to the procurator general I protested against the violation of my national and religious rights, and against KGB interference in my personal life.
Saturday December 24
4th light
שבת כ”ח כסלו
already blessed, we don't need to stop, rather the Oleh finishes his reading (for that day of Hanukah), and afterwards we call up the remaining (three) for (the reading of) the New Moon. If the first (call-up) read for the New Moon correctly, but the fourth made a mistake and also read for the New Moon, even if they realised (the mistake) immediately after the Oleh blessed, if only one Sefer Torah had been taken out, there is no need to (call up another to) read more. However, if two Sefrei Torah were taken out, there is a concern that (people might think) there was a defect in the (second) Sefer Torah. So that they don't say it is defective, we need to read in it, (with) a fifth person, the Hanukah portion. After the fifth (person has read) we say Half Kaddish. On out Shabbat (one first) makes the Havdolah ''who makes a distinction'' prayers, and then lights Hanukah candles. In the synagogue one (should) light before (saying) ''And G-d give you of the dew of heaven''
Megilat Chanukah Word of the rebellion reached Antiochus so he sent Apollonius, head of the garrison in Shomron (Samaria) to suppress the revolt. Utilizing guerrilla warfare tactics Yehuda defeated the force sent against him. Antiochus then sent a much larger force from Syria, under the leadership of Siron, but he too was beaten by the Maccabees. Determined to beat the stubborn Jews, Antiochus sent his advisor Lysias, along with a huge army of 40,000 infantry soldiers and 7000 cavalry. The Greek army encamped at Amaos, and Yehuda’s forces gathered in Mitzpah. In
4th light
Saturday December 24
The Daily Dose
HalaChanukah On the Shabbat during Hanukah, we take out two Sifrei Torah, in the first we read the (regular) portion for (that) week, in the second (we read) for Maftir (the offering of the princes which corresponds to) that day of Hanukah. The Haftorah is ''Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion''. If there is (during Hanukah) another Shabbat, the Haftorah is (which refers to) the Menorot of King Solomon. On the New Moon of Tevet which occurs on a weekday, we take out two Sifrei Torah. In one we call up three men for the (normal) New Moon reading, and afterwards the fourth (person reads) in the second Sefer Torah (the offering of the princes which corresponds to) that day of Hanukah. Because New Moon comes more often, and the principle is that when we have a more frequent and a less frequent (event), the more frequent comes first, and so we put the New Moon (reading) first. If a mistake was made and they began to read (the portion) for (the day of) Hanukah, even if they have not yet started to read, but the person called up (the Oleh) has
שבת כ”ח כסלו
preparation for the upcoming battle Yehuda and his men spent an entire day fasting and praying. While the main Greek force searched for the Maccabee camp, Yehuda circumvented them and ransacked the enemy camp. When the Greeks returned after an entire night of searching in vain for the Jewish army and saw their camp destroyed they fled. Yehuda and his men descended to the camp, and before they were ready to leave the Shabbat came in.
When the chips are down, women have the power to rise above Based on Emuna Braverman article There is a rule in the Gmara that women are not obligated make a mitzvah if this mitzvah depended in time, like Tfilin or Sukah. This rule called – .מצוות עשה שהזמן גרמא How come women are obligated to light a Chanuka candel, if it’s a ? מצווה שהזמן גרמא One of the lesser-known yet not-unsung heroines of the Chanukah story was the widow Yehudis. Perceiving the danger that her people were in – the physical danger of the Assyrians at the door, and the spiritual danger should Jerusalem fall, she devised a plan. Her town was under siege, its inhabitants on the verge of surrender due to lack of water when Yehudis acted. Pious and resourceful, she requested a meeting with the Assyrian General Holofornes. She recommended herself as his advisor in his campaign to defeat the Jews. Seduced by her intelligence, blinded by her beauty, Holofornes agreed to her plan. She invited him to a luxurious dinner where she served him great quantities of cheese – to promote thirst, and wine – to quench it. Finally he fell into a deep and uncomprehending sleep. Without wasting a moment, Yehudis grabbed his sword, cut off his head, and returned with it to the anxious, waiting Jews. The severed head was
displayed on the walls of the city, terrifying the Assyrian army who panicked and retreated. The Jewish soldiers were victorious and a prayer of thanksgiving was offered up, with gratitude to the Almighty and his righteous agent, Yehudis. When the chips are down, women have the power to rise above. When our families are threatened, we become mother lionesses, roaring at and attacking our enemies. When our people are at risk, we have the power to save them. If we use it wisely. If we're focused on the goal. Too frequently, the goal is obscured. We blink and we've lost sight of it. We have a brief moment of insight and then we're back to carpools, homework and (finally!) bedtime. But what are we giving our children if it's only a ride from place to place? What is our lasting legacy if all we talk about is homework and shopping? We want to teach our children how lucky they are to be Jews, that it's a heritage not worth trading for all the money in the world. America has been a wonderful haven for the Jews. Our gratitude knows no bounds. But it also defines itself as a "melting pot." The goal is that the edges should blur as all races and ethnicities blend into one "American" whole. That is not a Jewish goal. We recognize the tremendous loss that occurs when we sacrifice our uniqueness. Again we say "don't blend in." As Jewish women, we need to model, to embody this motto...
Chanukah in the USSR part IV When you begin an unlimited hunger strike, you never know when or how it will end. Are the authorities interested at that moment in putting a swift end to it, or don't they give a damn? In a few weeks a commission from Moscow was due to arrive in the camp. I didn't know this at the time, but the authorities, presumably, were very aware of it, which probably explains why I was summoned to Major Osin's office two days later, in the evening. Osin was an enormous, flabby man of
around 50, with small eyes and puffy eyelids, who seemed to have long ago lost interest in everything but food. But he was a master of intrigue who had successfully overtaken many of his colleagues on the road to advancement. During my brief time in the camp he had weathered several scandals and had always managed to pass the buck to his subordinates. I could see that he had enjoyed his power over the zeks and liked to see them suffer.
