Chanukah Guide for the Perplexed 2021: Yoram Ettinger, The Ettinger Report, Nov. 23, 2021 — Jewish national liberation holiday. Chanukah (evening of November 28 – December 6, 2021) is the only Jewish holiday that commemorates an ancient national liberation struggle in the Land of Israel, unlike the national liberation holidays, Passover, Sukkot/Tabernacles and Shavu’ot/Pentecost, which commemorate the Exodus from slavery in Egypt to liberation in the land of Israel, and unlike Purim, which commemorates liberation from a Persian attempt to annihilate the Jewish people.
Hanukkah Unbound: Meir Y. Soloveitchik, Commentary Magazine, Dec. 2021
Chanukah: The Untold Story: Binyamin Kagedon, Algemeiner, Dec. 9, 2012
Unearthed Fortress in Israel illustrates Chanukah Story: Intermountain Jewish News, Nov. 18, 2021
The Miracle of the Dreidel: Carol Ungar, Tablet, Nov. 24, 2021
For Further Reference:
Jewish A Cappella Group Drops ‘West Side Story’ Hanukkah Parody: Shiryn Ghermezian, Algemeiner, Nov. 24, 2021, Includes video —The professional Jewish a cappella group Six13 released their annual Hanukkah parody song on Tuesday, inspired this year by Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film reboot of “West Side Story.”
General Allenby’s Hanukkah Miracle: Mosaic Magazine, Dec. 13, 2017 — On December 11, 1917—the second day of Hanukkah—Edmund Allenby formally marched into the Old City of Jerusalem following its surrender to the British forces under his command. While Prime Minister David Lloyd George called the capture of Jerusalem “a Christmas present to the British people,” some Jews called it a Hanukkah miracle. Allenby himself was well-aware of symbolism. In discussion with Steve Leibowitz, Lenny Ben-David describes the event and its significance. (Video, 7 minutes; includes original footage.)
The Hidden Story of Chanukah: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, The Office of Rabbi Sacks, YouTube, Nov. 27, 2012 — On 20th October, the Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks delivered a keynote address at Bushey Synagogue on The Hidden Story of Chanukah. With thanks to Bushey Synagogue for use of this video.
God Delivered the Pilgrims—and My People: Meir Soloveitchik, WSJ, Nov. 21, 2013 — The once-in-a-lifetime convergence of Thanksgiving Day with the first day of Hanukkah has inspired culinary fusions like deep-fried turkey, song parodies and clever T-shirts.
