Why gelt and what’s gelt. Why on Chanuka? Some thoughts. Short Version. Longer Version.

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.

The well known argument between Beis Shamai and Beis Hillel whether to add or subtract the total number of lights each successive night of Chanuka has been resolved like the Beis Hillel. The message in this is that we must grow in holiness.

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.

The war and the oil. Some hold we celebrate only the oil. The RaMbaM holds we celebrate both. Some of the ramifications of the RaMbaM’s perspective. Winning means having peace (5774/ 2013). The two levels of ‘Pada BiShalom’ are reflected in Chanuka’s two miracles. Chanuka, the darkness is the truth (5774/ 2013). the darkness of…

Miketz The Tribes (44) Likutei Sichos – Vol 35 p 181 ff Yosef leaves hints for his brothers as to who he is. According to RaShI they didn’t keep Kosher but he still does things to demonstrates the kind of importance in his treatment of them to lead them to the conclusion, that he is…

Miketz The Tribes (42) Likutei Sichos – Vol 30 p 198 ff The brothers finally stand in front of Yosef, and debate… Teshuva!

Miketz the end, (RaShI) or the beginning, (Even Ezra). The combined understanding of both defines the spirit of Miketz. The darkest moment is also the brightest.

Vayeshev The Tribes (32) Yosef went on a mission from his father to see his brothers knowing what they might do to him, Why did he go? Rashi and Ramban, According to Rashi he knew what they would do and went anyway: 1) He chose to go above and beyond the call in Mesiras Nefesh…