Hanuka

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1. Anticipating Trouble with its Remedy

   Haftarot: Beha-alotekha

   Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein

   The haftara from Zekharya, with its message about rebuilding in the aftermath of severe fall, and the rehabilitation of the people through the spiritual leadership of a priest and a political leader, fill the needs bubbling beneath the surface of our parasha. In addition to the menorah and the status of the High Priest as leader, there is also a connection between the rest of the haftara and the reality that first appears in Parashat Beha'alotekha and continues through the entire length of the book of Bamidbar.

2. Mizmor 30

   Rabbi Avi Baumol

   Mizmor 30 while mentioning the “Dedication of the House” actually refers to emotions, feelings, and movements of the soul. Complacency can cause our metaphorical house to atrophy, and sin can turn our fortress into rubble, leaving our souls susceptible to the dangerous elements we encounter every day of our lives.

3. The Secret of Chanuka as Revealed by the Prophecies of Chaggai and Zekhariah

   Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun

   Before the Hasmonean rededication of the Temple, Haggai began uttering his prophecy concerning the laying of the foundation of God’s Sanctuary around the same calendar date as Hanukka but many generations earlier. The prophecies of Chaggai and Zekharia were clear and relevant in the eyes of the Hasmoneans, disappeared from the consciousness of later generations to the point where all the concepts of Hannuka became entangled in a knot of riddles. This lesson proposes an all-encompassing explanation for the riddle of Hannuka. 

4. The Miracle of the Oil and the History of Chanuka

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   The Talmud asks: “What is Chanuka?” One is immediately struck with the strangeness of the opening question: is it possible that the questioner had not heard of this festival? And the answer is even more puzzling: is there nothing more to be said about Chanuka than the story of the miracle concerning the oil? What about the great and no less miraculous military victory? Why is there no mention of the reinstatement of Israelite sovereignty "for more than two hundred years" (as the Rambam teaches in Hilkhot Chanuka 3:1)? Why does the Gemara see fit to emphasize specifically the miracle of the oil? We propose three solutions to the questions posed above.

5. Chanukah's Biblical Roots

   Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

   Why do we celebrate “Chanuka” on Chanuka? According to the book of Chagai, the original construction of the second Temple (in the “Return to Zion” period) began on the 24th (or 25th) day of Kislev. If Chanuka marks the rededication of that very same Temple (several hundred years later), then one can assume a thematic relationship between these two events. We review the context of the prophecies of Chagai and Zechariah, and examine the messages in their prophecies which pertain to Chanuka.

6. Chanukah's Biblical Roots- Part II

   Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

   Why was the 25th of the ninth month chosen for the foundation (and re-dedication) of the Second Temple, and why did the holiday of Chanukah continue after the destruction of the Second Temple? As we explore these questions, we find that they are related to stories of much earlier and much later- a midrash about Adam haRishon and the miracle of the Chanukah story, as well as a miracle in the time of the first Temple. What emerges is an enduring message of the importance of hope in a time of darkness.

7. The Function of the Temple Menora

   Rabbi Moshe Taragin

    Chanuka candles may not be used during the time they are lit. This halakha (among others) indicates a halakhic association between the menora we light and the one lit in the Mikdash (whose oil is not to be used for non-hekdesh purposes). In light of this linkage, this article will analyze the menora of the Mikdash. What is the function of the menora, and what is its relationship with the Mikdash? What is the purpose of the Mikdash? What is the difference between an ideal menorah and a less-than-ideal one?

8. Chagai on Hoshana Rabba and Chanukah

   Shani Taragin | 4 minutes

   In the second chapter of Haggai, Rabbanit Shani Taragin notes how Haggai speaks on days that are significant to us today for different reasons. On the 21st of Tishrei- Hoshana Rabba – Haggai further encourages people to continue building, saying that  God will make this Mikdash great- and provide much – needed rain. Haggai turns to the Kohanim, quizzing the delegated teachers about purity and impurity. The book of Haggai concludes on the 24th of Kislev with a call for a political turnover in addition to the glorification of the Mikdash. Though Zerubavel does not not heed his call, the prophecy continues to reverberate in later generations.

9. Light in Tanakh

   Elisheva Brauner

10. Yosef and Chanuka

    Rabbi Mordechai Friedman

    What is the connection between the story of Yosef and Chanuka?

    Yosef's ability was not only to dream and see the hand of Hashem, but to profoundly affect those around him with the sublimity of God.

    The events of Chanuka occurred after the period of prophecy and supernatural events.The war in which "the many fell to the hands of the few," although extraordinary, was not a supernatural occurrence. It was the unique ability of the Chashmonaim to recognize, interpret and more importantly, to effectively relate to the populace that this was truly the workings of God.

    Like a dream occurring in the sleeping conscience of a person, the glowing flames of the menora were, at first, a hidden event. And like the dreams encountered by Yosef, the events of Chanuka required interpreters, advertisers and inspirators to act as conduits to the souls of the people. Yosef and the Chashmonaim were illuminators of the will of Hashem.

11. Chanuka and the Prophecies of the Second Temple Period

    Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

    Throughout the history of Am Yisrael, there were many military victories, yet Chazal never established a holiday commemorating those events. Many varieties of miracles have also occurred, yet no Rabbinically-ordained holiday commemorates them. Why are the military victory and miracle of Chanuka different?

    To answer this question it must be understood that the date of Chanuka possessed historic and prophetic significance several hundred years before the Hasmonean revolt! The following article will attempt to understand Chanuka based on its roots in the prophecies of Chagai and Zecharya.

12. Historical Uniqueness and Daily Service

    Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein

    In order to better understand the nature of Chanuka, let us examine the original “Chanuka” – the dedication of the Mishkan in the desert. The chanukat ha-Mishkan entailed daily sacrifices as well as a public lighting of the menora by Aharon. Through a comparison of this event and the holiday of Chanuka, we emphasize what is special about both events – the significance not only of what we do, but how and why we do it. We learn of the significance of purity of intention, perfection of performance, and integrity of mind and spirit. This message has many other expressions in our world and in Tanakh, but on Chanuka, the focus is sharper. The message of quality is pure and distilled. Consequently, it is not only a historical event to be reenacted or victory to be celebrated, but the occasion for tahara, for kedusha, to raise the level, the performance and expectations of how we understand avodat Hashem.

13. The 24th of the 9th Month - Biblical Hanukka

    Elisheva Brauner

14. Menorah and Oil Miracles in Tanakh

    Elisheva Brauner

15. Yosef in the Pit and Hannuka Candles at a High Height

    Rabbi David Silverberg

16. The Haftara for Shabbat Hanukka - God's Promise to Restore the Shekhina

    Rabbi David Silverberg

17. The Satan in Zekharya's Vision of Yehoshua

    Rabbi David Silverberg

18. Hanukka and Humility - Yosef and Pharaoh's Dreams

    Rabbi David Silverberg

19. The Second Yishmael

    Rabbi Yoseif Bloch

20. The Second Haftara for Hanukka

    Rabbi Aytan Kadden

21. Hanukka and the Book of Ezra

    Rabbi Ezra Bick | 8 minutes

    Years before the events of Hanukka, the end of Kislev was nevertheless a time of religious observance during the time of Ezra. Dismayed by the high assimilation rates of the Jewish communities returning to Israel, Ezra calls a fast. The twentieth of Kislev and the following days constitute an assembly of teshuva. During the time of the founding of the Second Beit HaMikdash, the period that we know as the dates of Hanukka - were dedicated to national repentance and renewal, an important element of the Hanukka story as well.

22. Haggai Redoubles His Efforts

    Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky

    Haggai once again exhorts the community to remain committed to the building process. Although they had obeyed his first prophecy, they had apparently become discouraged yet again. The prophet conveys a similar message, if one more specifically directed at the Shivat Tziyyon period: Although things might presently appear grim, ultimately a transformation will occur, and the Second Temple’s glory will outstrip even that of the First.

    By comparing the present reality to the Exodus from Egypt, Haggai reinforces just how radical is the transformation he anticipates. During the period of the Jewish enslavement in Egypt, the notion that the impoverished slave nation would suddenly take possession of their captors’ riches would have seemed utterly implausible. Much the same, argues Haggai implicitly, may be said for the metamorphosis he foresees.

    There is, then, a straightforward literary structure to Sefer Haggai. The simplicity of the book’s design mirrors the directness of the prophet’s message. Anxiety about agricultural yield increases the peoples’ motivation to follow Haggai’s charge. Haggai’s succeeds in ultimately setting the reconstruction project back on its footing. By single-mindedly urging the people again and again to focus on one task, he ultimately achieves what he sets out to accomplish.

23. Sefer Zekharya: Optimistic Visions

    Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky

    Yehoshua, the Kohen Gadol is a survivor who has returned to lead his people in the service of the Temple that had been destroyed. Despite his imperfections, Yehoshua is appointed to a prominent position due to this status as a survivor.

    Like Yehoshua, the people are perhaps not fully innocent and worthy. Still, just as in the high priest’s poignant story, they are all deserving of consolation after the trauma they have endured. Therefore, God will ensure the success of their endeavors.

    As in the imagery of the rock, the seven-pronged menora indicates that God’s providence will ensure the success of the rebuilding. Once again, as opposed to Haggai, Zekharya’s message is not an instruction to build, but that the project will succeed. Despite its humble start, no one should “scorn a day of small beginnings.” The method for achieving those steps is not by military might, but through spirituality.

    The olive trees would appear to signal the durability of Zerubavel and Yehoshua’s leadership. God’s eyes will watch over the community and its leaders, ensuring the survival of the imperiled community.

24. Obscure Reveries

    Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky

    Anyone who steals the Temple’s materials or otherwise defiles the holy house will be cursed. All this refers to the Jews’ enemies, who seek to stifle the Jews’ attempts to build the Temple by way of theft and any other means possible. Their end, hints the prophecy, will be that of curse and failure.

    The appointment of multiple leaders without a clear hierarchy is generally a recipe for disaster. The prophecy predicts that despite the potential for tension, Yehoshua and Zerubavel will cooperate peaceably. The Hasmoneans acted contrary to the spirit of this prophecy.

    Zekharia transitions to an uplifting messianic vision depicting the old and young flourishing in the streets of Jerusalem. He concludes, all the fasts associated with the destruction of the Mikdash will be transformed into joyous occasions.

    Whereas at the beginning of the sefer the prophet presents repentance as a necessary precondition for the Jews to receive Divine reward, by the end of the eighth chapter, the two appear to have been disentangled from one another. Certainly the Jews are required be righteous. Still, the simple reading of our chapter indicates that the salvation will be forthcoming whether or not the Jews follow God’s word.

25. The Month of Kislev and the Second Beit HaMikdash

    Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell

26. The Story of Yosef in Mizmor Shir Hanukkat Habayit (Tehillim 30)

    Dr. Avigail Rock | 19 minutes

    Psalm 30, which is recited during shacharit every day during Chanuka, contains striking parallels to the Yosef narrative. Through a close examination of both texts we can learn about the nature of Chanuka and our relationship with God. 

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com