HAFTRHAFTORAH לעשות, ללמד, ללמוד
HAFTR
DECEMBER 2020 2020 • CHANUKAH EDITION MARCH • PURIM EDITION
HIGH SCHOOL
כסלו תשפ״א
THE UNKNOWN IS A LIGHT ITSELF
By Hannah Goldenberg, HAFTR 2022
Shabbat Chanukah, Parshat Vayeshev, has an incredible haftorah that truly - the connects to our lives today. The story of Zecharia is one that represents need to have true Emunah and Bitachon in Hashem, even in times of doubt. This haftorah takes place during the time of redemption. The Jews, who had been exiled to Bavel for seventy years, were finally returning to Eretz Yisrael, the land promised to our Avot in Sefer Bereishit. As important and exciting as this time was, there was also a great sense of uncertainty -- not in their Emunah in Hashem -- but they were returning to their land that needed to be rebuilt, and Eretz Yisrael was being ruled by a foreign power. The Jews felt insecure in their lack of knowledge of what the future held. Around School...p.2
Editors Raylie Bodner Devorah Gottesman Gabriel Kurlander Daniel Singer Ezra Wallach Contributors Rabbi Yisachar Blinder Hannah Goldenberg Gabriel Kurlander Corey Listman Michal Mari Leor Oved Tani Poznanski Daniel Singer Faculty Advisors Mrs. Alexa Gelnick Rabbi Ira Wallach Artwork Nava Strobel
Please feel free to contact us at haftorah@haftr.org
This uncertainty connects to the story of Chanukah and our lives today. The land was taken over by the Greeks who wanted to indoctrinate us in their culture. Bnei Yisrael did not assimilate, and they successfully drove the Greeks out of the land. Today, we live comfortably in America, but this is not our end goal. It is very hard to imagine picking ourselves up, and our entire lives here in America, and moving to Eretz Yisrael. Yet, that is exactly what the Jews of Bavel courageously did! Even when they reached Eretz Yisrael, there was still a large unknown. Mashiach and redemption are approaching us, but are we ready? Are we ready to leave our comfortable lives here to fulfill a promise made thousands of years ago? Zecharia, who was a prophet at the time, received prophecies but struggled to interpret them. Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik discusses how Zecharia was not able to interpret the nevuah, in the form of visions. He says that this inability was a reflection of how Bnei Yisrael lived at that time. They were in a time of redemption, but they did not know what to do. By contrast, when Mashiach comes we will have this level of clarity that the generation of Zecharia did not have. Yet, even without this clarity, they did not stop; they rebuilt the country, and yes, the second Beit Hamikdash. Just like them, we daven for redemption to come in our days and to rebuild the third, and final, Beit Hamikdash. Unfortunately, we do not have it at this moment, and therefore we have to be like Bnei Yisrael during Zecharia’s time and have Emunah that Hashem will help us, and B'ezrat Hashem, Mashiach should come speedily in our days!
Happy Chanukah
HAFTR!
By the Numbers
By Gabriel Kurlander,
HAFTR 2021
Vayeshev Stats (Genesis 37:1 - 40:23) • 9th of 54 sedrot; 9th of 12 Parshiot in Breishis • Written on 190 lines in a Sefer Torah ranked #28 • 4 parshiyot; 3 open, 1 closed • 112 pasukim - ranks 24th, tied with Matos (ranked 8th in Breishis) • 1558 words - ranks 24th, tied with Vayakhel (ranked 8th in Breishis) • 5972 letters - ranks 24th, tied with Devarim (ranked 8th in Breishis)
AROUND SCHOOL
Mitzvot - None of the 613 mitzvot are found in Vayeshev Special Words
פסים- fine woolen (37:3). Midrash:
called פסיםbecause of Yoseph’s troubles, namely, that he was sold to Potiphar ()פוטפר, to the merchants ()סוחרים, to the Ishmaelites ()ישמעאלים, and to the Midianites ()מדינים. [Only other appearance of this word is in 13:18 ]שמואל
מאלמים אלומים- binding sheaves (37:7) [Only other appearance of is in 25:30 מלכים בand 52:34 ירמיהוand 15:17 ]משלי
ארחת- caravan (37:25) [Only other appearance of אלומיםis in 56:10 ישעיהוand 2:18 ]חבקוק
נכאת- a collection of many spices (37:25) [Only other appearance is in 43:11 ]בראשית
צרי- balm; a sap that drips from balsam trees (37:25)
לט- lotus; root of an herb called aristolochie (37:25)
[Only other appearance is in 43:11 ]בראשית
הכתנת- the coat (37:31) הטבחים- those who slaughter the king’s animals (37:36, 39:1, 40:3-4)
כנעני- merchant (38:2) [Only other appearance is in 14:21 ]זכריה
פתח עינים- crossroads (38:14) [Only appearance of this phrase in Tanach]
ערבון- pledge/collateral (38:17,18,20) [Only appearance of this phrase in Tanach]
חתמך ופתילך- your ring, your cloak (38:18) תאומים- twins (38:27). Rashi: This is written with the full spelling ( ;)תאומיםin the other instance, with Rivka, it is written defectively ()תומם, because one child, Esav, was wicked, but these twins were both righteous. [Only appearance of this phrase in Tanach] משקה- cupbearer (40:1). Rashi: he was put in jail because a fly was found in his goblet.
אפה- baker (40:1). Rashi: he was put in jail because a pebble was found in his bread. משמר- prison (40:4) זעפים- sad (40:6) [Only other appearance is in 1:10 ]דנייאל
שריגם- tendrils/long branches (40:10) [Only appearance of this word in Tanach]
ואשחט- wicker baskets (40:16) סלי חרי- sad (40:6) [Only appearance of this word in Tanach]
יום הלדת- birthday (40:20) [Only other appearance is in 16:5,14 ]יחזקאל
The Dream Master By Michal Mari, 2024 Very often when we learn stories in Chumash that we have learned so many times since we were children, we can often miss nuances and details that exist a little bit beyond the surface. One such example can be found in this week’s parsha, Parshat Vayeshev. One can often miss the greatness of the Yad Hashem that was portrayed through Yosef as a dream interpreter. After Yosef was sold to Potiphar, the chief executioner of Pharaoh, he became so successful that he was put in charge of the entire household. While he was working as the head of the house, Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce Yosef, but to no avail. One day, Potiphar’s wife deceived her husband into believing that Yosef attacked her, and Yosef was sent to the royal dungeon. This was where prisoners of significant importance were held. In the prison, technically in a pit, Yosef met the head baker and wine steward of Pharaoh. The head baker was in prison because Pharaoh found a stone in his bread, and the wine steward was imprisoned after a fly was found in Pharaoh’s wine. While in jail, both advisors were very upset about dreams they had. Yosef offered his assistance, knowing that interpretations “are from God.” The first dream, from the wine steward, was that he was squeezing grapes into Pharaoh’s cup, and Yosef interpreted that in three days time, he
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would return to serving Pharaoh his wine. The second dream, from the head baker, was that he was carrying three baskets of bread on top of his head and birds were coming to eat from the baskets. Yosef interpreted that in three days, when the wine steward went back to work, the head baker would be executed and the birds would come to eat his flesh. The malbim explains that there were really four people involved in this story. The butler, who squeezes the grapes to make the wine, the wine steward who brings the wine to Pharaoh, the baker who physically makes the bread, and the head baker who brings the bread to Pharaoh. The stone in the bread was not the fault of the head baker, rather, it was the fault of the baker himself for not cleaning his dishes properly. The head baker had no way to know about the stone! On the flip-side, the wine steward was at fault for not checking the cup before serving it to Pharaoh. Therefore, this interpretation went against simple logic; the baker should not have been punished as severely, while the wine steward should have been. Even more so, the malbim adds, it was already ruled that the head baker would be released and the wine steward would be put to death. Once these prophecies came to fruition, it was indisputable evidence that these officials' fate was not by chance but was decreed by Hashem and communicated by his master dream interpreter, Yosef.
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HAFTR HAFTORAH • CHANUKAH EDITION
PARSHA
TRIVIA
By Daniel Singer, 2021
PARSHAT VaYeshev
1. Which sons of Yaakov were friendly with Yosef? 2. What 2 reasons does the Torah give for the brothers’ hatred toward Yosef? 3. Where did the brothers originally take their sheep to graze? 4. Where did Yosef find his brothers? 5. What did the brothers originally plan to do with Yosef? 6. Who rejected this plan to kill Yosef? 7. How much money was Yosef sold for to the Yishmaelim? 8. What was the name of Yehudah’s father-in-law? 9. What are the names of Yehudah’s five sons? 10. What caused Potiphar to recognize Hashem? 11. What type of prisoners would be sent to the jail Yosef was in? 12. What percent of the prisoners were put into Yosef’s custody by the warden? 13. How many days after the cupbearer dreamt his dream did the baker dream his? 14. What 2 things did Yosef complain about to the cupbearer?
ANSWERS 1. The sons of Bilhah and Zilpah (Dan, Naftali, Gad, and Asher) 2. 1) They recognized that Yosef was Yaakov’s favorite son 2) Yosef recounted his dreams to them 3. Shechem 4. Dotan 5. Throw him into a pit to die, and tell Yaakov that a wild beast ate Yosef 6. Reuven 7. 20 pieces of silver 8. Shuah 9. Er, Onan, Shelah, Peretz, and Zerach 10. He saw that Yosef was successful in all of his endeavors 11.“The king’s prisoners” 12. 100% 13. 0, they were both on the same night 14. 1) He was sold against his will from his homeland 2) He was thrown in jail in Egypt even though he was innocent
Yosef’s Not in Charge By Tani Poznanski, HAFTR 2024 In Parashat Vayeshev we learn about Yosef’s experience in galut both in the house of Potiphar, where he was a slave but still somewhat free, and in prison where he was totally deprived of his rights. In both situations the Torah tells us that Hashem made Yosef successful. In Potiphar's house Yosef went from being just a house slave to being second in command, and in prison he went from being a prisoner to being in charge of all of the other prisoners. The Lubavitcher Rebbe notes an interesting difference between how the Torah describes how Hashem helped Yosef in Potiphar’s house and how He helped Yosef in prison. In Potiphar’s house, the Torah explains that everything that Yosef did, Hashem brought success b’yado, in his hand. However, when the Torah describes Hashem’s assistance to Yosef in the prison it simply says that He made him successful, without specifying that He put success into Yosef’s hand. What is the reason for this distinction? The Rebbe explains that in life we have two types of challenges: those that we perceive that we have control over, and those that we perceive that we have no control over. The reality is that both situations are completely controlled by Hashem and everything that happens is 1 because Hashem wills it to be so. In both of these 3
situations we must work on trusting Hashem but in different ways. Yosef in the house of Potiphar represents when a person is in a challenging situation, but they have some sort of influence or control over it. The Torah therefore says that his success was “b’yado” which teaches us that Hashem made Yosef's efforts successful, but Yosef had to put work into it himself. Yosef in jail represents situations where we have no influence or control over the outcome. In that situation Yosef and ourselves have no choice but to turn to Hashem for help. The only work that a person can do then is to practice trust and faith in Hashem. That is why the Torah does not use the word “b’yado,” because in this situation Yosef’s success was only from Hashem. The Rebbe explains that the Torah is teaching us, with the word “b’yado,” that when we can influence and control a situation then we must do whatever effort we can, but also trust in Hashem that He will make our efforts successful even beyond what we might expect. However, sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we have no power and can’t control or change things. When this happens, we must have faith and focus all of our energy in trusting Hashem. HAFTR HAFTORAH • CHANUKAH EDITION
The Greatest Gift By Rabbi Yisachar Blinder The Gemara in Shabbos 21b states (that) the purpose of Chanukah is ““ ”ימים טובים בהלל והודאהYomim Tovim of praise and thanks.”After the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days and the victory over our enemy, Chazal saw fit to make a holiday so that we as a nation can give thanks and praise to Hashem. A question that we can ask regarding Chanukah and a question in general is why does Hashem demand our praise and thanks? God is all powerful and all knowing; why does He need our thanks? In order to answer this question we need to explore the idea of chesed and its different forms. The greatest form of chesed is when neither the giver nor the recipient is aware of who the other is. Understandably, it is embarrassing to be on the receiving end of charity. Therefore, allowing the recipient to be anonymous allows them to hold on to their dignity which can make the charity all the more meaningful. This idea seems to contradict the
CHANUKAH
Gemara in Shabbos 10b. The Gemara says ֹהנותן מתנה לחבירו צריך.” להודיעו.” One who gives a present to another must let him know about it and identify himself as the giver. Is the ideal anonymity or is it to share and be open as to who is doing this chesed? When comparing these two Gemaras, we can see that there is a fundamental difference between charity and a gift. When one needs charity, it is because they would have liked to fulfill their need independently but unfortunately they are unable to do so. Therefore, since the recipient of the Tzedakah is unable to do what is expected of them they feel a sense of shame. On the other hand, a gift isn’t coming to fill a loss or a direct need. Rather, it is merely the object used to convey a feeling of camaraderie and friendship or even love. The greatest form of charity is anonymous, while the greatest form of gift-giving has the giver’s name written all over it! When one gives a gift anonymously, it turns the gift into charity. When one acknowledges and appreciates a benevolent act, it
RIDDLES
HAPPY CHANUKAH
can even turn charity into a gift. Hashem, our God, does so much for us every day and gives us everything. Hashem wants us to thank Him in order to ingrain in us the value of hakaras hatov and to make us into better people. This sense of hakaras hatov in turn deepens our relationship with Hashem and each other and makes that relationship more profound. Hashem gives us these presents and gifts to initiate and enhance the relationship with each of us. The importance of Chazal instituting Chanukah as a holiday specifically of saying thank you to Hashem was to ensure that we don’t turn this awesome miraculous gift into a pitiful coin in the pushke. The miracle was not out of chesed but rather out of love and kindness. As we light the Chanukah candles in a warm home surrounded by loved ones, we should be sure to appreciate the kindness that Hashem does for each and every one of us. We can take our celebration to the next level by feeling Hashem's loving embrace and sending it back to Him with a meaningful Hallel and Hoda’dah.
By Leor Oved, HAFTR 2021
1. What does the word “Chanukah” mean in Hebrew and how does it connect with the history at the time? a. Chanukah is similar to ( )חינוךwhich means “rededication.” The Jews rededicated the Mizbeach after they took back the second Beit Hamikdash from the Greeks. 2. Why do we celebrate 8 days of Chanukah if the miracle of the candle was only 7 days (since there was sufficient oil for the first night)? a. Beit Yosef offers 3 explanations: • The Hashmonaim divided the oil into eight parts, and poured only 1/8th of the oil each night, so even the first night was a miracle. • On each night, when the oil was poured from the container into the Menorah, the jug remained completely full • After each evening, all the oil remained unused in the Menorah 3. When is the longest Birkat Hamazon possible? (hint: it occurred last year) a. When a guest eats at a home when it’s Rosh Chodesh and Chanukah that falls out on Shabbat. 4. In a normal situation of lighting the Nerot Chanukah a person either recites three brachot or two brachot, depending on which night it is. What would be a scenario where the person only recites one bracha? a. If a passerby sees Chanukah candles after the first night, he has not lit candles yet and knows he will not do so that night, he can recite “ ”שעשה ניסים לאבותינוbut he can’t say “ ”להדליק נר של חנכהbecause he is not lighting the candles. 5. There is a machloket in the gemara where Beit Hillel holds that we start Chanukah with one candle and add an additional candle each day. Beit Shammai holds that we start with eight candles and remove one candle each day. What are the bases of their opinions? a. Beit Hillel: There is a principle that we do not lower the status of holy things, but they can only be elevated, so too we light one more candle each day. b.Beit Shammai: A total of 70 bulls are brought as korbanot during Sukkot, invoking protection from the 70 nations. On the first day, 13 are offered and on each day, the number decreases by 1. So too, we light one less candle each day. 6. In Jewish history, when was it considered dangerous to light the Chanukah candle out in the open, so they would light in the privacy of their homes? a. During Persian rule, the Persians celebrated a holiday where lighting candles was only permitted in their pagan temples.This holiday would sometimes coincide with Chanukah. 7. Just like 2013, when will Chanukah and Thanksgiving coincide again and when was the only other time it previously occurred? a. It previously occurred in 1888, and the next time it will occur is in the year 79811! Hopefully Mashiach will be here before we get to that point! 4
HAFTR HAFTORAH • CHANUKAH EDITION
Chag Sameach!
Rabbinic Responsa Can you share with us an experience from this past year (or years past) or an idea that you believe will positively impact your Chanukah celebration? I want to share a story that I tell to my children and grandchildren every year by the Chanuka candles, and it is one that has truly changed my life. About two hundred years ago, it was customary for Chassidim from all over the world to visit Ukraine on the first night of Chanukah to watch Rav Dovid of Tolna kindle the first Chanukah candle. One year, as a big crowd gathered to celebrate and observe, the Rebbe hesitated to recite the bracha. Instead, he called out to a young tall man, named Shaya. Shaya was known for his unusually tall height and was a simple and uneducated Jew. He didn’t even know how to read from a siddur! Shaya could not believe that the Rebbe was calling upon him. When he approached the Rebbe, the rebbe asked him a strange question,“Shaya, do you love your wife?” Embarrassed about this kind of talk in public and confused, Shaya answered reluctantly. He explained to the Rav that of course he loves his wife. When questioned about how Shaya tells his wife that he loves her, the crowd began to laugh. Just as Shaya was known to be very tall, his wife was known for her distinctively petite and short stature. Shaya responded that he must bend down so that she can physically hear him when he speaks. “Is that all?” questioned the Rav. Shaya clarified that when he bends down, his wife must stand on her tippy toes. “Ah, that's exactly it,” said the Tolna Rav. With that, the Tolna Rav was able to resume the lighting of the menorah and recited the bracha. Later, when questioned about this interaction, the rebbe explained that as he was about to light the candles, he hesitated and wondered if Hashem, the Master of the Universe, would really care about his little candle. The Rav continued to explain that when he saw Shaya, he realized that even though Hashem is so great and so tall, and we are so small and so little, when you love someone greatly, you bend all the way down for them, just as Shaya bends down for his wife. Hashem loves us and cares so much about each and every one of us and every little mitzvah that we perform. Especially the lighting of the Chanukah Menorah! In turn, Hashem expects one thing from us--to step a little higher on our tippy toes. We need to stand up on our tippy toes and try a little harder each day to get a little better and better and closer to Hashem. What better time to try this than on the yom tov of Chanukah? - Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, Congregation Aish Kodesh The memories of lockdown are only fond ones filled with love, warmth and positivity. In the midst of the cold and dark winter, the Chanukah candles will relive those moments of family bonding stuck inside sitting around the warm light of the Chanukia. - Rabbi Yoni Levin, Congregation Aish Kodesh Chanukah has always been a special time for me, as I’m sure it has been for many people. The good food, songs, and presents all contribute to a truly joyous atmosphere. Growing up we always sang Haneiros Hallalu and Maoz Tzur following the candle lighting. However, when I attended Yeshivas Ner Yisrael in Baltimore I was introduced to something new. After the hundreds of boys lit their menorahs in the yeshiva dining room and sang the usual songs, they started singing and dancing. As the candles burned in the background, these boys sang songs of thanks to Hashem for the miracles He did for the Jewish people, and danced to show their true joy. The dancing elevated the candle lighting experience and I felt the simcha shel mitzvah in a way that I had never felt before. I have since adopted that practice, and my children and I dance for a few minutes in our dining room following the candle lighting every night of Chanukah. If you have never done that before, try it! It may just change your whole Chanukah. - Rabbi Ephraim Polakoff, Congregation Bais Tefilah
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HAFTR HAFTORAH • CHANUKAH EDITION
Rabbinic Responsa CONT'D In Memory of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z’’l Rabbi Sacks once raised the question of why we don’t include the story of Chanukah in our Tanach. There are in fact Books of Maccabees that record the events, but they were denied entry. Why? In brief, Rabbi Sacks thought the written story of the Maccabees is problematic. The results of the war of the Jews against the Greeks concluded with the Chashmonaim assuming the political role of Kings. The separation of Kohanim as religious leaders and the non-Kohanim as the national leaders was broken. The classic separation of powers, starting with Moshe and Aaron which had continued for 1000 years, was corrupted and collapsed. As a result, a few decades later the Jewish government was crushed by the Romans. But the miracle of the oil cannot be extinguished or ignored. The spiritual message of the perpetuation of the Jewish people would prevail. The delicate balance of religion and politics today thankfully is once again an ever-present reality. How fortunate we are, that after 2000 years of exile, blood libels, pogroms and the ultimate tragedy of the Shoah – we now are blessed with a Jewish State that is vibrant and strong. Yes, there is the ever-present tension between “Moshe & Aaron,” but that is the healthy reality of a strong and vibrant Jewish State. Perhaps, to underscore this balance, the State of Israel’s official emblem is the Chanukah Menorah adorned with olive branches of peace. May its light continue to shine until the arrival of the Mashiach – hopefully soon. - Rabbi Kenneth Hain, Congregation Beth Sholom I grew up in the home of one of the leading Torah personalities in the world. My father, Rabbi Hershel Schachter, is a humble and modest leader whose impact is appreciated and profoundly felt throughout the Jewish world. Everywhere I go, people talk about the greatness of my father, and it is certainly something that we as children are extremely proud of. Something that often troubles me is when I hear my father being described as a genius who was blessed with a photographic memory. It troubles me because it is simply not the case, but moreover because it is such a misrepresentation of what a truly great person is. The Mishnah records a dispute regarding the proper way to light Chanukah candles. Do we begin with one candle and add an extra candle each night, or should we begin with eight candles and remove one candle each night? The accepted custom is to light one candle and be "mosif v'holeich" - continue to add an extra candle each of the eight nights. This seemingly technical Halacha is in essence a guide to our experience as religious Jews. Greatness and excellence in any area of life will not come solely from academic brilliance or intellectual genius. Greatness is achieved in an individual who dedicates their life to an attitude of consistent and relentless "mosif v'holeich" - never ending passion and aspiration toward the intended goal. Growing up in the shadows of greatness, and being exposed to many celebrated personalities as a result, has made me truly understand that this is the only path to a life of greatness. - Rabbi Shay Schachter, Young Israel of Woodmere
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HAFTR HAFTORAH • CHANUKAH EDITION
How Shall We Celebrate By Corey Listman, 2022 are encouraged to refrain from them if Mizbeach following the victory that We as a people are identified as an they are deemed dangerous or unsafe to theJewish nation had over the Greeks. Am HaTorah. We are an Am HaTorah our health and safety. The Rav concludes This minhag/mitzvah has become a not just because of the mitzvot that that when this crisis finishes and we start significant part of our yearly Chanukah Hashem commands us to do, but to live the way we lived before, one should because of the practices and customs celebrations. continue to practice these minhagim that we have observed throughout our In Rav Hershel Schachter’s Piskei Korona, which were put on pause during the history. Each chag has its own unique he quotes the Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh difficult times. mitzvot and customs that are Deah Siman 214. Shulchan Aruch writes associated with it. During these Due to pandemic and the fact that our that if someone is engaged in a custom unprecedented times there are minhagim may be placed on hold, it is tha is a Minhag Tov, then it is like making differences in the way we can conduct a vow and in order to stop engaging in possible for one to feel distress and ourselves and the way we can disappointment. Without the usual that practice it would require a formal perform the customs and obligations gatherings of friends and family for Hatoras Nedarim, annulment of the vow. that are incumbent upon each Rav Schachter says that if the reason why celebrations and mesibos, there is no ANSWERS individual during the Chagim. question that Chanukah will feel different. the minhag can’t be performed, like our 7. The King has Haman hanged However, instead of focusing on what we mesibos is because of the pandemic, One of the more memorable customs 5. The Jews fast cannot do, we can try to shift our focus. then it would not require a formal that we most associate with the King granted Haman the seal Hatoras to destroy the Jews Our focus this year when trying to fulfill Nedarim. This is based on the Chag4.ofThe Chanukah is the minhag, 1. The madeour a feast in Shushan Dagul for all Mervavah of his subjects the mitzvah of Pirsumei Nisa should not in Yoreh Deah 214. He custom, of King gathering family 8. Mordechai was(parties) made second be to celebrate and get together with says that when the community or together for mesibos and in command 2. Esther is chosen as queen friends and family, but rather to fulfill individual began observing a particular seudos throughout the entirety of this mitzvah in our own homes and within 6. TheThis Kingminhag reads about the plot himitand asks Hamanthat to honor Mordechai Minhag, is understood they never Chanukah. is quoted in against ourselves. We can find the light inside this practice upon themselves Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim of Siman 3. Mordechai told Esther the plot accepted against the King each individual to celebrate the great in an exceptionally difficult and unique 670 Seif 2. The Rema writes that Nes of Chanukah. circumstance. Therefore there is no this is not just a custom but it’s a need to perform Hatoras Nedarim. Even mitzvah to have a Seudah on May we merit to be inspired by the light though minhagim are an integral part of Chanukah to commemorate the of Chanukah and may it be the first true our Jewish holidays and celebrations, we חנוכת המזבח, the inauguration of the light we see since the start of this uncertain and difficult time.
Their Lights Are Still Burning By Nava Strobel
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HAFTR HAFTORAH • CHANUKAH EDITION
HAFTR HIGH SCHOOL CHANUKAH EDITION
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