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Comparing Chanuka and Shabbat Candles
“For the candle of Hashem is the soul of man.” (Mishlei 26:6) There is something so mesmerizing and transcendental about the flickering flame of a candle, that it merits comparison to the soul of man. There is a mitzvah to light candles every Friday afternoon to welcome in the holy Shabbat, and there is a…
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Were Women Involved in the Miracle of Chanuka?
In the Chanukah narrative, the spotlight often shines on Yehuda HaMaccabee and his brothers, heroes of the Jewish rebellion against the tyrannical Antiochus IV. While women weren’t directly involved in the military aspects of the revolt or the subsequent rededication of the Beit Hamikdash, deeper investigation unveils a hidden gem in the form of Yehudit,…
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Yehudit, Chanuka and the Greatness of Jewish Women
The story of Yehudit is perhaps one of the lesser-known miracles of the Chanuka story, but its impact is so great that the Rashbam held that the reason women are obligated in the mitzva of lighting the Chanuka candles is in the merit of Yehudit…
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Sukkot in the Shadow of October 7th: How Can We Be Joyful?
We feel guilty to celebrate when there are still precious members of our nation held hostage…
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Analyzing the Haftara of Rosh Hashanah
On Rosh Hashanah, we call Hashem both Avinu, our Father and Malkeinu…
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Rosh Hashanah: Choosing Your Soulmate
Adam was created on Rosh Hashanah, alone on Earth until one of his ribs was used to create Chava later that same day. Some women envy Chava for the ease with which she acquired a spouse. No bad dates. No weeks pass without a date. No hours wasted picking out outfits and doing makeup. No…
