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Shabbat, December 12, 2026

Halachic Times (Zmanim)
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Chanukah Day 8
Jewish History

On the 25th of Kislev in the year 3622 from creation, the Maccabees liberated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, after defeating the vastly more numerous and powerful armies of the Syrian-Greek king Antiochus IV, who had tried to forcefully uproot the beliefs and practices of Judaism from the people of Israel. The victorious Jews repaired, cleansed and rededicated the Temple to the service of G-d. But all the Temple's oil had been defiled by the pagan invaders; when the Jews sought to light the Temple's menorah (candelabra), they found only one small cruse of ritually pure olive oil. Miraculously, the one-day supply burned for eight days, until new, pure oil could be obtained. In commemoration, the Sages instituted the 8-day festival of Chanukah, on which lights are kindled nightly to recall and publicize the miracle.

Link: The Story of Chanukah

Laws and Customs

The eighth day of Chanukah is also known as Zot Chanukah (lit., "this is Chanukah"), after a key phrase in the special Chanukah Torah reading for this day (Numbers 7:54-8:4).

In the Jewish calendar, the day begins at nightfall; thus, the last kindling of the Chanukah lights is held on the evening preceding the 8th day of Chanukah, when eight lights are lit (see "Laws & Customs" for yesterday's date). Hallel and Al Hanissim are included in today's prayers. The festival of Chanukah concludes at nightfall this evening.

Link What Is Zot Chanukah?

Daily Thought

There are crucial issues to which the Torah devotes only an allusion, yet the story of finding a bride for Isaac consumes an entire chapter.

Because this truly is the theme of all of Torah: The union of male and female energies, so that the world can operate in harmony.

The union of heaven with earth. Of soul with body. Of your spiritual life with your business life. Of light and mystery. Of Creator and creation.

There really is nothing else.

And it all begins with harmony between husband and wife.

Sefer Hasichot 5751 vol. 1, pg. 95ff. See earlier sources in note 46 ad loc.