Ep. 525: What Does Chanukah Teach Us About Today’s War?

MyLife: Chassidus Applied

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:
What energy do we draw from these days between Yud Tes Kislev and Chanukah?

• What do these holidays have in common?

• Why don’t we study Torah on nittel eve?
• How can refraining from Torah study have a positive impact?
• How can a negative turn into a positive?
• Why is there a custom to play chess at this time?
• What connection does it have with Chanukah?
• Why aren’t we obligated to read Megilas Antiochus on Chanukah, as we are about reading Megilas Esther on Purim?
• Why is it called Megilas Antiochus?

• How does Chassidus explain the lessons of Chanukah?
• Why do we mark this holiday by lighting candles and not by commemorating the victory in the war with our enemies?
• Since the Chanukah menorah represents the rededication of the Temple Menorah, why is it different in so many ways (eight instead of seven candles, kindled in the evening and not the morning, at the door facing outside, not inside the home, lit by every Jew not just the High Priest)?
• What does the number eight represent? How does it differ from eleven?
• What can we learn from Shammai’s opinion to begin lighting all eight candles on the first night?
• Why did the High Priest light the Temple menorah?
• Who are the seven shepherds and what is their connection to the seven branches of the menorah?
• Do we add an eighth shepherd to correspond to the eight branches of the Chanukah menorah?
• What is the connection between the eight days of this holiday and the eight days of Sukkos, with Zos Chanukah corresponding to Shemini Atzeres?
• Why did the Rebbe wash and farbreng on Zos Chanukah 5738?
• Is giving gifts on Chanukah and displaying blow-up Chanukah decorations appropriate?
• Help me resolve a disagreement with my spouse: Can I give my children a Chanukah gift before the actual holiday?
• Another disagreement: Is snow a blessing or a nuisance?

• What are the lessons from emphasizing the victory of light over darkness?
• What is the connection with Syria?
• Should we be praising G-d for the fall of Assad in Syria and other victories over our enemies?
• Is this part of the geulah process?
• Is there a prophecy that all our enemies will fall before the redemption?

Nittel Chassidus Applied to Chanukah
What does Chanukah teach us about today’s war?