Questions tagged [chanuka]
Hanukkah, a holiday commemorating the miracles surrounding the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE
382
questions
1
vote
0
answers
64
views
Chanukah: The Hellenistic Jews defaming the Beis HaMikdash
The Baal HaMaor on Avodah Zahara 52b writes a somewhat radical interpretation on the Chanukah-story. He explains that the people that entered the Beis HaMikdash, and thus impurifying the Beis ...
- 8,790
1
vote
0
answers
26
views
Menorah Placement [closed]
I am living in a college dorm where we are not allowed to have open flames in our dorm. However, we are allowed to have flames in our floor lounge (with no windows). Should I light my Chanukah candles ...
- 11
6
votes
2
answers
443
views
How did the Greeks make the menora-oil impure?
The Gemara in Shabbos 21b famously writes "Mai Chanukah"- what is Chanukah? The Gemara elaborates:
When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary they defiled all the oils that were in the Sanctuary
...
- 8,790
3
votes
1
answer
596
views
Is there any interest in eating a baked donut on Chanuka?
A person who for health reasons avoids eating fried foods. Can he make the minhag (custom) to eat a donut baked in the oven without oil on Chanuka?
- 41.8k
2
votes
3
answers
207
views
Chanukah and Purim as two friends: insight of the Shaloh
The Shaloh HaKadosh in Aseret HaDibrot, Yoma, Derekh Chayim famously writes that:
וחנוכה ופורים הם שני רעים - Chanukah and Purim are like two friends (my own translation)
What exactly does this ...
- 30.2k
1
vote
1
answer
31
views
Locating a Sfas Emes on the influence of Chanukah
In addition to this question, I am eagerly looking for the location of a Sfas Emes where he discuss the following concept (parphrased):
Chanukah and Purim are both Rabbinical festivals. Chanukah and ...
- 8,790
2
votes
0
answers
102
views
The oil and Chanukah: what does it come to teach us?
The basic story of what happened when the Hasmonean monarchy overcame the Greeks, and hence we celebrate Chanukah, can be found in the Gemara in Shabbos 21b:
When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary ...
- 47.9k
5
votes
2
answers
111
views
Eating meat on Hannuka?
Is there a source to require eating meat at the Hanuka meal?
3
votes
1
answer
175
views
Switching residences at night during Chanukah
The answers to this question explain that if one is not eating at home during Chanukah, he nevertheless needs to light at his house, where he will be sleeping that night.
What happens if someone ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
148
views
What part of this Chanukah song is actually about Passover instead?
"Eight Candles Shine" is a 1963 song by Malvina Reynolds, published by Schroder Music Co. It is frequently used in [US] schools as a "Chanukah Song" at winter concerts. I am ...
CommunityBot
- 1
4
votes
2
answers
624
views
In what sense is Hanukkah "a Yom Tov like other yamim tovim"?
The Machzor Vitry (§234) finds a scriptural source for Hanukkah in Leviticus 24:2. That the stipulation that Israelites should collect pure olive oil for the menorah should follow on from a ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
98
views
כל כבודה בת מלך פנימה
The Chasam sofer in his commentary to Maseches Shabbos, writes that although the Gemara clearly states that women are obligated to light נר חנוכה, but due to modesty concerns כל כבודה בת מלך פנימה (...
- 1,586
8
votes
1
answer
914
views
Why does Chabad use a diagonal branched menorah?
I have seen numerous different shapes for a menorah. The simplest ones have candles in a straight line. Many have curved branches. The only general requirement that I recall reading in Kitzur Shulchan ...
1
vote
1
answer
170
views
Where in the history and/or rabbinical works does it say that the people of the Maccabean period fought off lions or were sawn in half or delimbed?
I heard a visiting rabbi talked about Hanukkah and mentioned that the people of the Maccabean period fought off lions and/or were sawn in half or delimbed, but he did not give any exact sourcess, ...
- 43
0
votes
1
answer
118
views
Hebrew source for a question in "Guidelines" chanukah edition by Rabbis Jaeger and Barclay
For someone who has the sefer "Guidelines" Chanukah Edition by Rabbis Jaeger and Barclay, can you tell me which sources they list in the back of the sefer for the question, "The ...
- 47.8k
1
vote
1
answer
92
views
Connection between Yosef and Chanukah
The Megaleh Amukos makes a connection between Yosef and Antiochus in regards to the gematria of the names that Yosef is one more then Antiochus. I was wondering if anyone could explain the connection ...
- 2,181
1
vote
0
answers
30
views
Midrash Pertaining to the Rekindling of the Menorah Commemorated by Chanukah
The predominant traditional explanation for the eight days of Chanukah is the miracle of the oil: there was only enough pure oil to keep the Menorah fueled for a single day but it miraculously lasted ...
- 13.3k
2
votes
1
answer
45
views
Is אעדיף כל שמונה online in an accessible format?
אעדיף כל שמונה is a set of piyutim by R' Elazar Hakalir for a weekday Shemoneh Esrei of Chanukah. It was apparently said in Ashkenaz into the Middle Ages, but didn't make it into printed siddurim.
I ...
- 9,116
0
votes
1
answer
52
views
Why is finding a Sealed Pach Hashemen a miracle?
This is one of the 3 miracles of Chanukah and the one memorialized by decreeing the holiday on the 25th of Kislev as opposed to the 24th when the miracle of the military victory happened or the 26th ...
- 244
1
vote
0
answers
26
views
Connection between chanukah and parshat mikeitz [duplicate]
Anyone know of any sefarim to look at that elaborates on connection between parshat mikeitz and chanukah?
- 24.8k
5
votes
1
answer
478
views
When and by whom were the Piyutim of Channukah written?
There are communities that recite special prayers on Shabbos Channukah they begin with אודך כי אנפת ותשוב. Do we know who wrote these and when?
- 97.3k
1
vote
0
answers
55
views
Where can I find this Ramban on Chanuka?
From the Chabad website:
There is a segula1 from the Ramban for after lighting the Chanukah lights to say the verse from Psalms: "May the graciousness of the L·rd our G·d be upon us," (...
- 839
0
votes
0
answers
73
views
Is it a bracha levatala to recite or sing the Hanukkah blessings communally?
In group Chanukah celebrations one often sees that the entire gathering recites the brachot for lighting the menorah in unison, despite the fact that only one person is actually lighting the candles.
...
- 1,062
1
vote
1
answer
57
views
Lighting the chanukah menorah and the shabbos candles in the same place
I seem to recall a halacha stating that the Chanukah menorah should not be lit in the same place as the Shabbos candles are lit. Is this indeed the halacha, and can someone point me to somewhere ...
- 565
8
votes
4
answers
647
views
The Chanuka Miracle of the Oil and Tumah Hutra Btzibur
In the events of Chanukah, why did they need the miracle of finding the Shemen tahor pure olive oil? After all,the Gemara says Tumah Hutrah beTzibur (pesachim 77a), meaning if all the oil is Tumay ...
- 117
2
votes
2
answers
200
views
Non-Jewish Sources about Chanukah [closed]
I was listening to a podcast about Channukah, he was interviewing an Israeli professor on the subject. The professor was very reluctant to give credence to the ‘Jewish sources’ about Chanukah. ...
- 565
0
votes
1
answer
72
views
Why is channukah not mentioned in Medrash chazal?
In Medrash chazal, (including medrash raba, tanchuma, toras kohanim etc…) there is no mention of the Yom Tov of channukah. This took place 100-200 years before Medrash was written. Although it is ...
- 8,045
0
votes
1
answer
83
views
Igros Kodesh on Chanukah: advice for during exile
The Lubavitcher Rebbe in Igros Kodesh talks about why the chanukah candle has 8 candles, and the menorah 7. But then, the Rebbe says “from this it is clear that the chanukah candles have a general ...
- 24.8k
3
votes
1
answer
106
views
Until when did the Yeshivos of Beis Hillel and Shamai exist?
We know that Hillel and Shamai themselves lived during the time of the Second Beis Hamikdash. Do we know how long their yeshivos lasted?
More specifically, how late in history could the argument ...
- 25.7k
2
votes
1
answer
228
views
Yaavetz regarding the story with Yehudis not happening on Chanuka
Rabbi Yaakov Emden writes in his מור וקציעה seen here, in last paragraph of the second column, that the story of Yehudis had nothing to do with Chanuka and actually happened during the first exile.
...
- 24.8k
2
votes
1
answer
115
views
How can I understand the idea that “Pirsumei nisa is as much to oneself as it is to others.”
The THE BENJAMIN AND ROSE BERGER TORAH TO-GO Chanukah 5782 p 14 contains an article from Rabbi Ezra Schwartz entitled “ Al Hanisim in Birkat Hamazon”.
It says
Tosafot, Shabbat 24a, s.v. Mahu, offer a ...
- 453
9
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Bimei Matisyahu ben Yochanan Kohen Godol
In "Al Hanisim" we say "Bimei Matisyahu ben Yochanan Kohen Godol", "in the days of Matisyahu the son of Yochanan the Kohen Gadol (=high priest)".
Who was the Kohen Godol: Matisyahu or Yochnan?
- 11
3
votes
3
answers
153
views
The fall of Yehudah the Maccabee
Yehudah the Maccabee died in the Battle of Elasa, a mere four years after the victory at Beit Tzur and the subsequent purification and rededication of the Temple.
Are there any rabbinic sources that ...
- 20.7k
2
votes
0
answers
59
views
Why not הקם לנו נסיכי שמונה?
The last four words of Maoz Tzur end with the words הקם לנו רועים שבעה. This is a clear reference to the verse (Micha 5:4):
וַהֲקֵמֹנוּ עָלָיו שִׁבְעָה רֹעִים וּשְׁמֹנָה נְסִיכֵי אָדָם
But as I was ...
- 97.3k
12
votes
2
answers
338
views
Why no addition to me'ein shalosh for Purim (and Chanukka)?
We add a paragraph to birkat hamzon for Purim (and for Chanukka). Why is there no phrase added to the me'ein shalosh (the bracha acharona) for Purim (and Chanukka)?
- 5,365
5
votes
2
answers
285
views
Which of the *Zugos* were in charge during the Chanukah story?
Pirkei Avos tells us of a chain of Torah leadership from Shimon HaTzadik (who lived in the times of Alexander the Great), to Antignos Ish Socho, to the pairs of leaders after that.
On whose watch did ...
- 8,045
2
votes
1
answer
104
views
Festive meals on Chanuka
The Shulchan Aruch states the meals on Chanuka are (only) permissible feasts (not seudas mitzvah) since these days were never instituted as days of festive meals.
The Ramma quotes an opinion stating ...
CommunityBot
- 1
8
votes
1
answer
292
views
Should the Ten Tribes observe Chanuka and Purim?
Assuming we will, at some point, be reunited with some or all of the exiled Ten Tribes of Israel, will we expect them to celebrate holidays that are specifically Judaic in nature, by which I mean that ...
- 24.8k
3
votes
0
answers
101
views
What was so miraculous of the Chanukah war?
In the Chanukah "Al Hanisim", it says: "You delivered the mighty into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few, the impure into the hands of the pure, the wicked into ...
- 30.2k
8
votes
3
answers
227
views
What took 8 days
What took the Jews 8 days to produce new oil when rededicating the Temple in the Chanuka story? It seems the process of oil-making takes a lot less time (I have done it in Israel on one of the tourist ...
- 24.8k
4
votes
3
answers
355
views
Maoz Tzur and Chanukah
The piyut Maoz Tzur mentions both Purim and Chanukah. Why then was it chosen to be said on Chanukah and not Purim? I've tried researching the subject and asking scholars but have not received a ...
- 8,045
3
votes
1
answer
173
views
Maoz Tzur: Is it a universal custom or just an Ashkenaz one?
I know that Mi Yodeya has already answered the question about the source of Maoz Tzur (Mordechai, unknown, 13th century, perhaps during Crusades?). Is it a universal custom or is it just an Ashkenazi ...
- 24.8k
5
votes
5
answers
198
views
Any recommendation for educational Chanukah video?
I am looking for video clips about the Chanukah story that my kids - seven to ten years old - can watch. I thought there would be many, but it's not easy to find any good one. I prefer video in Hebrew,...
CommunityBot
- 1
10
votes
4
answers
430
views
Is there an Orthodox publication of the book(s) of the Maccabees?
I would like to know if any Orthodox publisher has put out a version of the book(s) of the Maccabees.
- 24.8k
19
votes
10
answers
18k
views
How are Spartans the son of Abraham?
I was reading the Book of Maccabees (I and II) over Shabbat and in it there is a letter written to Sparta to ask for peace, goodwill and friendship.
In the reply letter back from Sparta, they affirm ...
2
votes
0
answers
65
views
Hanukkah Glass Menorah Drip Tray with Brachos on it
Would it be mutar to place the menorah on a Hanukkah Glass Menorah Drip Tray https://www.amazon.com/Rite-Lite-Tempered-Glass-Menorah/dp/B00PBFBUOO even if the drip tray has brachos on it, or would ...
- 47.8k
0
votes
2
answers
133
views
What is meant by "pure" oil for Hanukka?
The concept of "pure" oil is central to the holiday of Hanukka (see, for example,
https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/221817/jewish/Pure-Oil.htm and
https://www.aish.com/...
- 3,463
4
votes
1
answer
79
views
Doing the mehadrin level differently -- does it invalidate the mitzvah?
On Channukah, the mitzvah is for a light to be lit in each household, as the Rambam (Hil Purim/Channukah, 4:1) writes, "מצותה שיהיה כל בית ובית מדליק נר אחד."
If one wants to perform a "...
- 20.9k
1
vote
1
answer
85
views
Are the eight nights of lighting Menorah one Mitzvah or eight?
By Sefiras HaOmer, there is a dispute whether it’s a single Mitzvah to count fifty days, or whether one fulfills the Mitzvah of counting each day independently (Rosh, Pesachim 10:41, et. al.). As a ...
- 1,136
6
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Why is it called "Zos Chanukah"
Why is the eighth, and last, day of Chanukah called "Zos Chanukah" and what is it significance?
- 30.2k