Chanukah & Kislev

Are things as they appear to be? Or is everything also its opposite? Is heat hot? Or is it cold as well? Is ice fire? And am I no-thing?

An in-depth evaluation of the events of Chanukah reveals that the war between the Jews and the Greeks was first and foremost a spiritual war — a clash of cultures. At odds were Torah and Greek philosophy — two entirely different conceptual schemes of human life...

So "hitting rock bottom" is not the worst thing after all...it is only once we reach the bottom that we can actually be present to the new reality we are faced with. Only when we become present to a reality can we begin to move on from it...

Because Chanukah is about Jewish faith and pride, it is especially pertinent to Jewish women...

The Jewish people - men and women - defied every Greek law with enormous self-sacrifice, yet it was largely by and for the sake of Jewish women that the Maccabees were led to declare war...

I wanted to be tactful, but I also wanted to express my disagreement with her. "I know it's difficult, but the situation is difficult, the age is difficult. Your child isn't difficult."

By defining themselves in perfect contradistinction to one another, "light" and "darkness" enter into a symmetrical bond which attests to an underlying unity forming their common source

"Ritually pure" -- what, exactly, is that? What properties does a ritually pure sample of olive oil have that the others don't?

His pulling and pleading become more insistent and I ignored him. I knew his cries were a result of being tired and cranky and I had thought that he could wait...

I knew then that even if by some miracle I could talk my way out of not having a Gentile document... I could never explain the latkes and doughnuts in my bundle.

The ceremony marking the beginning of the school year was held in a local church. When I went to speak with the college president about this non-inclusive choice of venue, he answered me with a kindly smile...

I came home and explained to my husband that I just couldn't do it again. I couldn't start with the treatments again, the running around like a madwoman, the ups and downs, the anxiety. I just wanted to be happy with what I had...

Making beeswax candles is the perfect easy craft to do with kids and prepare your home for Chanukah...

Cook (and fry) up a traditional Chanukah storm: latkes to applesauce, jelly doughnuts and more recipes for all tastes.

In the comfort of the bus, G‑d sent me my own miracle- and made me realize that everyday brings its own causes for celebration...