BS”D I’ve mentioned here before that the main miracle of Chanukah was not the improbable victory over the Greeks, nor the discovery of the one flask of pure olive oil, nor even the fact that the light of the menorah lasted eight days. The biggest miracle was that the Chashmonaim, a family of Kohanim (priests),…
Chanukah may fall out at the darkest time of the year. But, the very darkness gives the intense spiritual light Chanukah brings to the world the ability shine its brightest. This light is known as ohr haganuz, the hidden light of creation: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֖ים יְהִי־א֑וֹר וַֽיְהִי־אֽוֹר And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there…
BS”D The ten days between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, is a time that is set aside for teshuva— a time when we are told to “seek Hashem when He can be found.”1 Many have asked: why do these days not come before Rosh HaShana when we stand in judgment before God? Wouldn’t it make sense to…
BS”D With so much that has happened in the past year, we could all use a little chizuk this Tisha B’Av. These 8 principles are helping me to stay focused, maybe they’ll help you, too… 8 Quick Teachings for a Meaningful Tisha B’Av Holding On to Our Lifeline Before Moshiach comes, Hashem will stretch a…
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Of all of the Festivals and Holy Days in the Jewish calendar, Chanukah is the one most surrounded in mystery. When the Sages introduce us to this Rabbinic Yom Tov, they begin with the question: ?מַאי חֲנוּכָּה What is Chanukah? In other words, what does Chanukah mean, and why do we celebrate it? Yet, the…
