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The Chanukah Story

Rabbi Haber explores the root of Chanukah and the paradigm shift from Prophecy to the Talmud. Rav Haber explains the difference between the wisdom of our sages and Greek philosophy. Shimon HaTzadik vs. Alexander the Great.

The light of Chanukah. Holiness is found in the most unexpected places. The most simple people are often the holiest.

Rabbi Haber, Shlit’a, illuminates the meaning of the lighting of the Menorah in the Mishkan. The model of the Menorah teaches us many things about the role of the Jewish People and our seven shepherds in this world. The Menorah is so much more than symbolism. It holds the keys to understanding much about the workings of the universe. The seven branches of the Menorah, parallel the seven days of creation and the seven sefiros and many other references to the number seven in the Torah. The Beit HaMikdosh is the manifestation of the Shechina in this world. The Menorah is the representation of the Shechina in the Beit HaMikdosh. There were 7 platforms that held up the Aron HaKodesh. Rav. Haber takes us through the Noam Elimelech’s explanation of the language in Parshat Bahalosecha which describes the directions that Hashem gave Aaron regarding lighting the Menorah.

Rabbi Haber expounds on the story of Chanukah and its meaning for Jews today. He extrapolates from Rav Tzadok HaKohen to reveal the phenomenon of the divisions in Klal Yisrael in the time of the Chashmonaim and how it became the cause of the destruction of Bayit Shayni (the Second Temple). He posits that Alexander the Great, who was a student of Aristotle, saw in Shimon HaTzadik, the essence of his search for meaning; the fruit, which he, as the shell, was destined to protect… Although we, as Jews, are not like them, we do not reject their contribution to Hashem’s Creation. And, in fact, we should search for ways to incorporate into our lives the treasures that they hold, while carefully insuring that we, and Torah, are not absorbed within Teva (nature/technology/beauty, etc.), but that Klal Yisrael must use the gashmius (materialism) in the world to raise it to Holiness.

Rabbi Haber expounds on the story of Chanukah and its meaning for Jews today. He extrapolates from Rav Tzadok HaKohen to reveal the phenomenon of the divisions in Klal Yisrael in the time of the Chashmonaim and how it became the cause of the destruction of Bayit Shayni (the Second Temple). He posits that Alexander the Great, who was a student of Aristotle, saw in Shimon HaTzadik, the essence of his search for meaning; the fruit, which he, as the shell, was destined to protect… Although we, as Jews, are not like them, we do not reject their contribution to Hashem’s Creation. And, in fact, we should search for ways to incorporate into our lives the treasures that they hold, while carefully insuring that we, and Torah, are not absorbed within Teva (nature/technology/beauty, etc.), but that Klal Yisrael must use the gashmius (materialism) in the world to raise it to Holiness.

Rabbi Haber, shlita, in the name of Rav Tzadok HaKohen and the Netziv, uncovers the connection between the Chanukah Menorah and the Oral Torah. There is a 3rd Torah. In addition to the Written Torah and the Oral Torah, there is the Mesorah (or Tradition) that was also passed down from Hashem to Moshe on Har Sinai.

Rabbi Haber shlita takes us on a deeper look into the Miracles of Chanukah. The connection of the Miracle of the Menorah burning 8 days and it's relation to the Burning Bush. And, he discusses the secret of the Wine and the Bread? Rabbi Nachman the Breslover taught that MalkiTzedek showed Avraham Avinu that in order to mekarev the Canaanim you have to give them Wine (representing the mesorah-tradition) and the Bread (representing something new that is nogayah- relevant - to them) The wine gets better when it's aged (and that comes from Hashem) and the bread is better when it's fresh (and that's something that is more from the works of man). There is also a connection between the Written Torah and the Oral Torah that represents the same principle. The Written Torah is unchangeable. And, although the basic principles set forth in the Oral Torah are also unchangeable, it can be adapted to the times by the Rabbis. The "Light" that Hashem gives to us calls for us (if not obliges us) to elevate ourselves in Holiness with our actions.

Rabbi Yaacov Haber, Shlita, explores the history of the Chashmanoyim and their rewards and punishments. They are the cradle of Christianity (John the Baptist was part of the Yochanan Kohein Gadol / Yanai the Chashmanai King of Israel). The purpose of Am Yisrael is to transform the materiality, that Hashem placed into the world, into Holiness so that the Shechina can reside within the world once again. Therefore, the King (Hashem) has made Am Yisrael into His Matronisa (His Queen). He made Klal Yisrael the Matronisa and directed that the world must go through Klal Yisrael in order to relate to Him (the King). Hashem placed all of the tools of war in Klal Yisrael and made Klal Yisrael His Shomer (His Guard).

Rabbi Yaacov Haber, Shlita, explores the history of the Chashmanoyim and their rewards and punishments. They are the cradle of Christianity (John the Baptist was part of the Yochanan Kohein Gadol / Yanai the Chashmanai King of Israel). The purpose of Am Yisrael is to transform the materiality, that Hashem placed into the world, into Holiness so that the Shechina can reside within the world once again. Therefore, the King (Hashem) has made Am Yisrael into His Matronisa (His Queen). He made Klal Yisrael the Matronisa and directed that the world must go through Klal Yisrael in order to relate to Him (the King). Hashem placed all of the tools of war in Klal Yisrael and made Klal Yisrael His Shomer (His Guard).

Rabbi Haber, shlita, in the name of Rav Tzadok HaKohen and the Netziv, uncovers the connection between the Chanukah Menorah and the Oral Torah. There is a 3rd Torah. In addition to the Written Torah and the Oral Torah, there is the Mesorah (or Tradition) that was also passed down from Hashem to Moshe on Har Sinai.

Rabbi Haber shlita takes us on a deeper look into the Miracles of Chanukah. The connection of the Miracle of the Menorah burning 8 days and it's relation to the Burning Bush. And, he discusses the secret of the Wine and the Bread? Rabbi Nachman the Breslover taught that MalkiTzedek showed Avraham Avinu that in order to mekarev the Canaanim you have to give them Wine (representing the mesorah-tradition) and the Bread (representing something new that is nogayah- relevant - to them) The wine gets better when it's aged (and that comes from Hashem) and the bread is better when it's fresh (and that's something that is more from the works of man). There is also a connection between the Written Torah and the Oral Torah that represents the same principle. The Written Torah is unchangeable. And, although the basic principles set forth in the Oral Torah are also unchangeable, it can be adapted to the times by the Rabbis. The "Light" that Hashem gives to us calls for us (if not obliges us) to elevate ourselves in Holiness with our actions.

When to light your Menorah if you'll be attending a Chanukah Party or live in an apartment building

A compelling guide for discussion group leaders

his is source material and a teachers' guide that is designed for teachers or self-learners on the topic of Chanukah. This is an overview of the historical and philosophical basis of the fast using classical source material in Hebrew with an English translation.

This is source material and a teachers' guide that is designed for teachers or self-learners on the topic of Chanukah. This is an overview of the historical and philosophical basis of the fast using classical source material in Hebrew with an English translation.

An advanced overview of the laws of Chanuka, incorporating Talmudic and Kabbalastic sources.

This is source material that is designed for teachers or self-learners on the topic of Chanuka. This is an overview of the historical and philosophical basis of the fast using classical source material in Hebrew with an English translation.

A talk given in Melbourne, Australia on the message of the menorah, Chanuka and it's relevance to us.

A basic overview of the laws of Chanuka including when, where and how to light the Menora.