Plus, My Personal Take on the History of this Wonderful Little Festival What we American Jews call a “menorah” is called a “chanukiyyah” in Israel. In modern Hebrew, a menorah is a light bulb. I wandered around B’nai B’rak, a very Chasidic town in Israel, going nuts looking for a menorah. They kept sending me […]
Were the Maccabees Political Liberals or Conservatives? by David Hartley Mark
November 26, 2013 By Leave a Comment
My first encounter with the Maccabees involved opening a box of Barton’s Chocolates: I was seven years old. There they lay, flat little Jewish soldiers wrapped in blue-and-gold foil, smiling smugly, each one brandishing a sword and a shield emblazoned with a Star of David, ready to take on the fiercest foes—also, presumably, made of […]
Hanukkah and Assimilation
December 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
What does Hanukkah teach us in light of recent news about assimilation in the Jewish community?
Hanukkah and the Talmud with Rabbi Arnie Samlan
December 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
What does the Talmud tell us about Hanukkah? Turns out, Hanukkah is a mashup of Sukkot and a military victory. Check out this awesome class with your favorite DJing rabbi.