Chanukah: Beyond the Numbers by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The battle of the Jews against the Syrian–Greeks culminated with the miracle of the menorah and the holiday of Chanukah. But the story of Chanukah was not the only interaction that the Jews had with the Greek Empire. For centuries following the conquest of Alexander the Great, more »

Keep Your Eye on the Light by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Perhaps the most famous question associated with the holiday of Chanukah is the question of the Beis Yosef: If the Jews found oil that would last for one day, and it lasted for eight days, then the miracle was only for seven days. Why do more »

The Message of the Dreidel by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Chanukah is the celebration of Jewish continuity. The events that we commemorate took place while the Jews were in the Land of Israel, during the time of the Second Temple (c.165 BCE). The Syrian-Greeks outlawed mitzvah observance and threatened to destroy Judaism. It was through the more »

The Ten Minute Chazzan by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The Chashmonoim- or Maccabees, as they are commonly called- were talented people planted in history at a critical time. They were known as scholars and priests, but they became military leaders and motivational speakers when the times required. Most interesting is the attribute ascribed to them in more »