- Sections
- Parashat Hashavua
The Ladder, Chanuka, and Israeli Independence
Are the miracles of Chanuka relevant in our generation? The answer is: more than ever. Let us start with this week’s parasha. Yosef’s sale into slavery, taking him from Eretz Yisrael to Egypt, could be described as the beginning of a period of exile – a long, painful path stemming from a loss of independence.
Are the miracles of Chanuka relevant in our generation? The answer is: more than ever. Let us start with this week’s parasha.
Yosef’s sale into slavery, taking him from Eretz Yisrael to Egypt, could be described as the beginning of a period of exile – a long, painful path stemming from a loss of independence.
The Rambam (Chanuka 3:1) explains that the thanks we offer Hashem about the events of Chanuka are on two successes: 1. The undoing of the decrees that prevented our nation’s full Torah observance and a life of purity and sanctity. 2. The return of autonomous rule to Am Yisrael. As the Rambam famously ends off: "Kingdom returned to Israel for more than 200 years, until the second destruction."
In our generations, we have, baruch Hashem, seen a broad and significant ingathering of the exiles. We have merited having independence for already more than 70 years. We have seen an unparalleled flourishing of Torah study. Let us thank Hashem for these too during this upcoming holiday of Chanuka. Let us pray that we will soon merit the continuation of the promise, "Yaakov will return and have quiet and be tranquil without fear," both physically and spiritually.
Yosef’s sale into slavery, taking him from Eretz Yisrael to Egypt, could be described as the beginning of a period of exile – a long, painful path stemming from a loss of independence.
The Rambam (Chanuka 3:1) explains that the thanks we offer Hashem about the events of Chanuka are on two successes: 1. The undoing of the decrees that prevented our nation’s full Torah observance and a life of purity and sanctity. 2. The return of autonomous rule to Am Yisrael. As the Rambam famously ends off: "Kingdom returned to Israel for more than 200 years, until the second destruction."
In our generations, we have, baruch Hashem, seen a broad and significant ingathering of the exiles. We have merited having independence for already more than 70 years. We have seen an unparalleled flourishing of Torah study. Let us thank Hashem for these too during this upcoming holiday of Chanuka. Let us pray that we will soon merit the continuation of the promise, "Yaakov will return and have quiet and be tranquil without fear," both physically and spiritually.

The Intersection of the Three Eichas
Rabbi Moshe Erenreich | 6 Av 5767

Monotheism in Egypt?! Yes!
Various Rabbis | Tevet 5768

On Life, the Land, and Eternal Life
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Av 5783

On the Book, the Sword, and “Bots”
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Elul 3 5783

Rabbi Yossef Carmel
Head of "Eretz Hemda" Dayanut Kollel

The Danger of the Fear of High Places
Parashat Vayetze
5764

“On this Day He will Atone You”
Tishrei 4 5776

Societal Improvement, Clouds, and Canopies
Tishrei 7 5776

With a Life Like That, Who Needs …
5774

Some Light Chanukah Questions
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 20 kislev 5769

Lighting the candles on Friday night
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5772

Practices of the Tochacha
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Elul 16 5776

Flying High - A Traveler’s Guide to Channukah
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Kislev 5768

Competition and the Lonely Road to Heaven
Rabbi Haggai Lundin | 18 Kislev 5784

Parashat Vayetse- The Character of Jacob
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | Kislev 11 5784
