Hanouka in english
Rav David Daniel Hacohen שליט״א
Summary
The Rav asks why the Sages instituted Hanukkah for the miracle of the oil rather than for the military victory of the few Hasmoneans over the Greek army. He recalls the story of the single sealed jar of pure oil that burned for eight days, and asks why the Sanhedrin waited a year before fixing the festival for all generations. In the Rav's view, the Greeks did not mainly want to kill the Jews but to modernize the Torah, as the Reform and Conservative movements do today. The miracle showed that Hashem wants only the authentic Torah, unchanged, and the people returned to it. The Rav also explains the Al HaNissim prayer in this light, and urges giving generously to support Torah study.
Highlights
- 0:13 Why remember the miracle of the oil and not the war? Hanukkah
- 1:02 The Hasmoneans find one sealed jar of pure oil Hanukkah The Temple
- 2:22 Why the Sanhedrin waited a year to fix the festival Hanukkah Jewish holidays
- 3:36 The Greeks wanted to modernize the Torah, not only to fight Current events Torah study
- 4:52 Eight days of burning oil: Hashem wants only authentic Torah Hanukkah Faith
- 6:22 The people return to the Torah and the festival is fixed for all generations Jewish holidays Repentance
- 6:56 How the adversary weakens Torah study by cutting its funding Torah study The evil inclination
- 7:39 Giving generously to support Torah, as the Shela teaches Torah study Mitzvot
- 8:07 Explaining the Al HaNissim prayer Hanukkah Prayer
- 9:02 The Hellenizers and the righteous: Hashem shows who is right Redemption The righteous
Hanouka in english