Everything is upside down in the Chanukah story; the Kohanim are the one’s on the battlefield. But they get to light the menorah also (anyway).

Chanukah and Chassidus and oil. A thought on Chanukah Gelt.

Why the RaMbam connects Shalom Bayis of Shabbos Candles to Chanuka.

Not in the desert.The date of Chanukah (25 Kislev) has an affinity for the idea of renewal. This is evidenced from the fact that in the desert the Mishkan (tabernacle) was completed on 25 Kislev 2449. But it’s construction and use was postponed until (the end of Adar and) Nissan of that year. This date...

The apocrypha which Yidden once shunned, has the elaborate version of the Chanuka story. The earliest text of all tells the story of the candles.

Chanuka candles (as opposed to Shabbos candles) are not for any use. We are not allowed to benefit from them at all. Why?

Chanuka, a holiday of Jewish sacrifice. (5773/ 2012). No Cheshbonos, Not even of Kedusha (5778/ 2017). This short class points out that the miracle of Chanukah is more about Yidden’s Mesiras Nefesh than about the super natural hand of Hashem that their actions inspired.

A thought on a New York Times article making the Chanukah story into a war between factions of Jews. But he still is lighting the candles. Shimon HaTzadik prayed that Alexander of Macedonia should succeed and what it means to world history from a Jewish (religious) point of view.  

The last day of Chanuka isn’t only the last day but a culminating one.