Yotam Haim was one of the three hostages mistakenly and tragically killed by IDF soldiers last week. His mother, Iris, sent a voice message yesterday to the soldiers who shot her son. She said: “I want to tell you that I love you very much. I know that what happened was not your fault. There […]
Dear Jew in the City, Too much of the world believes that Jews are bloodthirsty baby killers. What Jewish sources are there to show that we value life, peace, and righteousness? Sincerely, Shira Dear Shira, Thanks for your question. There’s only one such source, and it’s called the Torah. As Pirkei Avos says regarding […]
Would you set out on an important road trip if you only had enough gas for the first 20 miles and no forseeable way of filling your car up for a week? If you were a Maccabee you would. I recently started wondering why the Jews decided to light the menorah with the paltry sum of oil they found. Why bother lighting an eternal light that you […]
Celebrating Chanukah this year is just different. While we’re still eating our donuts and latkes, we’re lighting with extra prayers for hope, for miracles, for salvation. This year, it’s normal and expected to light with a heavy heart, as we continue to mourn the atrocities in Israel and the soldiers that continue to give their […]
For far too long, the stories of persecution against the Jewish people have been brushed aside as exaggerations or even complete falsehood. Despite Antiochus IV Epiphane having been a real historical figure — as is the Hasmonean War — there are elements of the Chanukah story which have been met with skepticism. That is now […]
Dear Jew in the City, What did the Jewish people do in the time of Chanukah to merit miracles and what can we do now to merit miracles in our day? Sincerely, Jonah Dear Jonah, Thanks for your question, though I want to reframe it before I answer: don’t plan for miracles. We have […]
