How to Light the Hanukkah Menorah
The traditional blessings and procedures for lighting the Hanukkah candles.
How to Greet Someone on Hanukkah
There are phrases you can use to wish someone a Happy Hanukkah.
Is it Traditional to Give Presents on all Eight Nights of Hanukkah?
Hanukkah gift-giving traditions explained.
Hanukkah 101
From candle-lighting to Maccabees and latkes to dreidels.
The Two Miracles of Hanukkah
Ancient scriptures tell two very different stories about why we celebrate the Festival of Lights.
Next Torah Portion
Summary
In this Torah portion, Pharaoh has two troubling dreams, and at the suggestion of his cupbearer, who remembers Joseph from prison, Pharaoh brings Joseph to interpret them. Pharaoh is so impressed by Joseph that he makes him his adviser. There is a famine, and Jacob sends his sons, minus Benjamin, to Egypt to buy food. The brothers do not recognize Joseph when they meet him, and Joseph tests them by accusing them of being spies. Joseph arrests Simeon and demands the brothers bring Benjamin to Egypt to prove they are not spies. When Benjamin arrives, Joseph puts a goblet in Benjamin’s bag and accuses him of stealing it.
Featured Commentary
Parashat Miketz: Coercion vs. Love
This Torah portion begs the question of whether it’s acceptable to use coercive power to have people to do something that’s good for them.
Daf Yomi
Bava Kamma 39
The ox’s steward.
Bava Kamma 38
Double standards.
Bava Kamma 37
The ox that gored on Shabbat.
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Is Hanukkah Always in December?
The Jewish Festival of Lights falls in winter near Christmas, but is it always the same month?