Chanukah

Overview

Chanukah is an eight-day festival beginning on the twenty-fifth of Kislev, in early winter. It commemorates the Maccabees' victory over the Seleucid Greeks who had defiled the Second Temple, and the miracle of a single cruse of pure oil that burned for eight days when the Temple was rededicated. Each night an additional light is kindled on the menorah, accompanied by Hallel and the Al HaNissim prayer of thanksgiving. Customs include fried foods and the dreidel. Chanukah celebrates the triumph of Torah and holiness over darkness and assimilation.

Themes

• The hidden inner light
• Miracles beyond nature
• Praise and gratitude (hallel)
• Ever-renewing spiritual light
• Torah against Greek wisdom
• Chanukah and the Oral Torah

Must-read teachings

1. 1Hanukkah’s Supernatural Light( ) (First night of Chanukah) The miracle of Chanukah (is commemorated) with light. This is (the idea of) finding the hidden light, even in exile and darkness. With this we can answer the question of the Chidushei Harim. The gemara (Megilla…תרל"ב
2. 2Miracle Light of Chanukah“My master and grandfather, may his memory be a blessing, said that the blessing ‘Who performed miracles’ is recited upon seeing the Chanuka light.” The Sefat Emet reports a teaching that even the simple sight of the Chanuka flame is itself…תרל"א
3. 3Inner Sanctuary of the Soul“It is written: ‘The lamp of God is the human soul, searching… all the inner chambers.’” The Sefat Emet begins by identifying the soul as the divine lamp that illuminates and searches the hidden chambers within a person. “And in the Gemara:…תרל"א
4. 4Praise Through All ExileThey established them and made them a festival with Hallel and thanksgiving. The Sefat Emet opens by defining Chanuka as a day rooted in two modes of praise. It is taught that Hallel includes all redemptions and everything that befalls Isra…תרנ"ב
5. 5Chanukah and Oral Torah“And in the Pesiqta for Ḥanuka: ‘And it was on the day Moses completed… I write for him the majority of My Torah… the Greeks will come and say: We are Israel… they are considered as strangers,’ etc.” The Sefat Emet begins by citing a Midras…תרמ"ה
6. 6Hanukkah Miracle and Greek InfluenceThe matter of the miracle of Chanukah. The Sefat Emet introduces the theme: understanding what the Chanukah miracle reveals. For it would have been easy that one cruse of oil remain for all the days, so why did God need to perform a miracle…תרמ"א
7. 7Hanukkah as Spiritual Pillar“The following year they established them and made them a festival.” The Sefat Emet opens by asking why the Sages waited until the second year to establish Chanuka as a festival. They ask: Why not in the first year? The delay itself require…תרמ"ד
8. 8Hanukkah Light as Divine Vessel“It is known the teaching of my revered ancestor, of blessed memory, regarding one who is accustomed with the candle.” The Sefat Emet opens with a teaching about the spiritual stature attained by one who regularly lights the Chanukah candle…תרל"ב