The lone cruse of oil that the Macabees found was of sufficient quantity to kindle the Menorah for one day. Miraculously, it burned for eight days. Since the Macabees had one day’s supply of oil to start with, the miracle of the oil burning occurred for seven days. This being the case, we should celebrate [...]
Tomorrow (Tuesday, December 7, 2010) and Wednesday is Rosh Chodesh Tevet. Rosh Chodesh Tevet is the only time the full-Hallel is said on Rosh Chodesh. (Usually on Rosh Chodesh we leave out 2 half-paragraphs.) Between Shacharit and Mussaf we will take out 2 Sifrei Torah. First we call up 3 people to the Torah for [...]
Kippa Game – Put the Kippot on the head of the boy. Kippa is also known as a yarmulka, a head covering. So be proud to wear the latest fashion. Enjoy this exciting Universal game good for iPad and for iPhone/iPod Touch. Compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad Category: Games Released: November 25, 2010 Publisher: [...]
Jewish Calendar: Chanukah – in this Torah shiur on Chanukah, Rabbi Avishai David explicates the beautiful poem sung by Jewish families throughout the world after candle lighting, known as Maoz Tzur. Rabbi David discusses the historical background of the liturgical poem, how it became customary to recite it during Chanukah, its roots in Tanach, as [...]
Well, Adam Sandler has some healthy competition including this unique video called ‘Candlelight’. Sung by a capella group that gets to the beat Chanukah style, the song is catch, tells the story of celebration and can be watched by anyone to be appreciated. Based on Taio Cruz’s ’Dynamite’, the story is told not just by the [...]
On Motzai Shabbat – the 4th night of Chanukah – we start praying for rain in the 9th Bracha of the weekday Amida – Barech-Aleinu – ברך עלינו – in the Diaspora. If you forgot to add “ותן טל ומטר לברכה” – “and bless us with dew and rain”, then: – If you remember before [...]
Since one cannot light fire on Shabbat, on Friday the Menorah is lit before Shabbat. The correct order for Friday is: – Daven “early” Mincha – Light the Chanukah Menorah. One can light as early as 75 Halachic minutes before sunset. – Light Shabbat candles at the regular time. The Chanukah Menorah needs be stay [...]
Since both men and women were included in the miracle of Chanukah, they both need to light the Chanukah Menorah. At least one person per household must light. The custom is for everybody to light, including children under Bar Mitzva. However, married couples share one Chanukah Menorah that either the husband or wife lights. Even [...]
On the first night of Chanukah one says 3 Brachot: 1. Lehadlik Ner Sel Chanukah – “Blessed… to light the Chanukah lights” ברוך אתה ה’ א‑לוקינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להדליק נר שלחנוכה 2. She’Asa Nissim La’Avoteinu Bayamim Hahem Bazman Hazeh – “Blessed.. who did miracles for our ancestors in those days at [...]
The Medrash Raba applies the verse, “And darkness covered the abyss (Bereishis 2),” to the “darkness” that the Syrian-Greeks imposed on Israel. Not only did the persecution cause physical hardship, it also cast them into spiritual darkness. When Klal Yisrael triumphed over the Syrian-Greeks, the situation reversed itself. That is, darkness descended upon the Syrian-Greeks, [...]
The Talmud (Shabbos 21a) relates that the Sages ordained the festival of Chanukah in order “to thank and praise HaShem.” Yet, there seems to be something missing here. The Sages ordained the festival of Chanukah specifically to “thank and praise HaShem.” However, they did not mention that this praise relates to the flask of oil [...]
We live in a world of cause and effect. The deeds of man, in particular, profoundly affect both the material and spiritual dimensions. In that light, what was the “cause,” i.e., merit that awakened the phenomenal miracles of Chanukah? The story of the Exodus from Egypt sheds light on our question. HaShem instructed Moshe to [...]
The great swing revival of the late ’90s introduced the mostly forgotten style to a new legion of fans, as well as reconnecting with others. And while a landslide of swing-themed releases flooded the marketplace, it’s safe to say that there wasn’t a single swing release to incorporate Jewish and Hanukkah themes into its sonic [...]
The people who brought you Super Dreidel bring you Super Dreidel Israel Edition, dreidel game for your iPhone/iPod/iPad that lets you play with the same dreidel you would spin in Israel. Outside Israel, the four Hebrew letters of the dreidel form an acronym for Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, “A Great Miracle Happened There.” In Israel, most dreidels [...]
This game, developed by JRJA Software Solutions, is a Hanukkah themed memory game of cards. It has 3 themes ‘Menorah’, ‘Dreidel’ and ‘Gelt’. The cards in each level are relevant to the theme. Finding a matching card gets you points. Timer keeps track of your time. Number of taps made tells you how good your [...]
