Chanukah

In this Chanukah prep shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David learn a piece from Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh, based on a sicha of the Lubavitcher Rebbe from 5714 (1954), contrasting two very different kinds of light: the light of the Menorah in the Beit HaMikdash and the light of our little Chanukah flames today.

The Menorah of the Mikdash shone in a time of shleimut – when the Shechinah was revealed, when life in Am Yisrael was “hakol sababa,” full and bright. Seven branches, lit in broad daylight, from inside the Beit HaMikdash outwards – a light of harmony...

What if the deepest miracles of Chanukah aren’t revealed in fire, but in freedom?

In this shiur full of heart, music, memory, and truth, Rav Shlomo Katz takes us into the light of Chanukah, the soul of Shabbos, and the cry of the Jew who just wants to break free. We journey from ancient Greek philosophy to modern academia, from Rabbi Mordechai Singer z”l in Vietnam to the cries of tzaddikim by the candles.

At the center is a single plea: “Please, Hashem… unshackle me.”

In this Shiur:

Based on the teachings of Rav Biderman, we learned about the world of possibility and opportunity that Shabbos Chanukah offers.

Based on a teaching from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, we see how the nature of oil teaches us how to be a true lamplighter in the world.

Based on a piece from Reb Tzadok Hakohen of Lublin, we discover what becomes so crystal clear to us on Zos Chanukah.

What happens when even the holiest war leaves you broken?

Rav Shlomo Katz opens a window into the soul of Matisyahu and his sons — not at the moment of military triumph, but as they stood in the newly reclaimed Beit HaMikdash, weeping. Two of their children had died in the war. And now, at the peak of victory, they turned to Heaven with a trembling plea:

“Hashem, please show us it wasn’t for nothing.”

This shiur is for anyone who’s ever made a bold move, sacrificed for truth, fought for holine...

Why do Chassidim wish each other "gmar chasima tova" during the holiday of Chanukah?

When it comes to Chanukah, everyone speaks about the Ohr Haganuz, the concealed light. What is the hidden light? R' Tzadok takes us on a journey like only he can.

What if the deepest answers to your child’s future are already shining from their smile?

Rav Shlomo Katz invites us into a raw, real, and radiant journey through parenting, faith, and the meaning of light. Using the song “HaYeledim HaEilu” by Chanan Ben Ari as a living text, Rav Shlomo explores how the mitzvah of Neirot Chanukah — lights that we’re not allowed to use, only to look at — teaches us how to see our children.

If you’ve ever wondered: “Am I enough for my child?”, this episode will answer: If Hashem gave them to you, He be...

Becoming Normal with the Simcha of Chanukah.

Woodmere, NY
Erev Chanukah
December, 2022

Based on the teachings of R' Ya'akov Meir Shechter

December, 2016
Efrat, Israel

Can I stop feeling guilty if the miracles that took place to the Chashmona'im don't light up my soul, and bring out the greatest feelings of thanks and gratitude?

Based on the Chernobler Rebbe and Rav Raz Hartman, we learned the depths of the second bracha we say on the candles.

Likutei Moharan Tinyana 2 - ימי חנוכה הם ימי הודאה

An in-depth learning of the second teaching from the second volume of Likutei Moharan, where Rebbe Nachman takes on a journey through the days of Chanukah to delight in the world, to learning halacha, to the flow of blood, to childbirth, and much more.

Based on the teachings of Reb Itche Meier Morgenstern, we learned how one approaches the moment of lighting the candles, which is essentially the moment we are able to light up our neshamas.

chanuka, chanukah, shlomo katz, chassidus, baal shem tov, shirat david, efrat

Based on the teachings of Reb Itche Meier Morgenstern, we learned the inner depths of what lies beneath the light of the menora.

bayam darkecha, shlomo katz, shirat david, efrat, channuka, hanuka

Likutei Moharan Tinyana 2 - ימי חנוכה הם ימי הודאה
An in depth learning of the second teaching from the second volume of Likutei Moharan, where Rebbe Nachman takes on a journey through the days of Channuka to delight in the world, to learning halacha, to the flow of blood, to childbirth and much more.

chanuka, rebbe nachman, likutei moharan, shlomo katz, shirat david, efrat, chassdidus, chassidut

The incredible opportunity of the type of rest which Shabbos Channuka brings to the world, our homes and our minds.

shabbos, channukah, candles, Light, lubavich, rebbe, shlomo katz, efrat, shirat david

3 minutes on one of the fundamental principles of Chassidut - to be a walking Chanukiya

chanuka, reb nachman, breslov, emuna, faith

A nine-minute breathing/musical meditation, ushering in the light available during Chanukah.

chanukah, meditation, breath, shlomo katz, menora, candle, torah

How do I make sure I take Chanukah with me once it's over?

chanuka, rav biderman, shlomo katz, efrat, torah, israel, holiday, light, shirat david

an in-depth understanding of the Al Hanisim prayer

chanukah, light, jew, torah, shlomo katz, al hanisim

based on the teachings of the Sfas Emes, we discover how in a certain way the holiday of Chanukah represents a far greater opportunity than other holidays that are from the Torah.

chanukah, light, menora, sfas emes, sfat meet,  holy temple, beit hamikdash, shlomo katz, efrat, shirar david

A teaching from the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, R' Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, regarding the deeper element of the war that took place on Chanukah

chanukah, torah, helenist, greeks, holy temple, shlomo katz, shirat david, efrat

zos channuka with the bnei machshava tova chabura
Efrat
December, 2018

Chanuka, shirat david, bnei machshava tova, zos, yomtov, menora, light, shlomo katz niggunim, israel, efrat

What is the ultimate joy of the World to Come?

In this luminous teaching from Likutey Moharan (Tinyana 2), Rebbe Nachman reveals that the essence of Olam Haba is simply this: gratitude. To thank, to praise, and to deeply recognize Hashem — that's the truest delight there is. And that’s why Chanukah, more than anything else, is about hoda’ah — giving thanks.

These eight days aren’t just about light. They’re about seeing Hashem in the dark, and letting your heart say, “Thank You” — even when it’s hard.

And the light doesn’t stop there. Reb Noss...

Based on Sichos Haran 40

rebbe nachman, breslov, baal shem tov, chassidus, philosophy, Judaism, Jewish, shlomo katz, efrat, shirat david, channukah, dreidel, sevivon

Based on Sichos Haran 40

rebbe nachman, Breslov, baal shem tov, chassidus, philosophy, Judaism, Jewish, shlomo katz, efrat

December, 2016
Efrat, Israel

torah, chanukah, light, candle, torch, rav kook, rebbe nachman, shlomo carlebach, shlomo katz

based on the Soul of Chanukah

torah, channukah, candles, light, spirituality, shlomo katz, shlomo carlebach, reb nachman

Efrat, Israel
December 2016

chanukah, torah, light, Greece, battle, shlomo katz, jewish, Hashem, rav kook

Based on the teachings of Rav Avraham Tzvi Kluger, we take a wider look into the story of Chanukah, and come out with new eyes, new perspective, and renewed strength.

chanuka, candles, macabees, chashmonaim, shlomo katz, torah, chassidus, breslov, idf, am yisrael