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, order, and holy routine.Chanukah light is born somewhere else entirely. It comes out of war on the Jewish soul, from thick darkness, from galut that still hasn’t ended. One small candle at the doorway, after night has already fallen, insisting on shining.In this shiur we learn how Ner Chanukah reveals the eitan sheba’neshama – the indestructible point inside every Jew that often only wakes up when something is missing, when the heart is breaking. Together we explore why our generation is so deeply connected to Chanukah light, how “seven” (Beit HaMikdash) becomes “eight” (me’al ha’teva), why the oil of Chanukah is the sod of Torah the Baal Shem Tov wanted to bring to every Jew, and how a single “lonely candle” at your doorway can become the beginning of vayehi boker – a new morning of geulah.----------For more Shuirim and Music from Rav Shlomo Katz, visit: https://ravshlomokatz.comJoin Rav Shlomo Katz's WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KHKOhhPaeHx5Kb74WL9L9a?mode=ems_copy_t

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.

Likutei Moharan Tinyana 2 - ימי חנוכה הם ימי הודאהAn 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 הודאהAn 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

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:The danger of overthinking in the face of emunahThe exile of “Yavan” inside our own mindsHow humility, not intellect, is the real path to truthWhy crying out is more powerful than figuring it all out

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 holiness — and then, when the dust settled, wondered: Was it worth it?

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 believes in you — now believe in yourself.In this Shiur:Letting go of control — and replacing it with presenceTrusting that your child’s smile holds the key to how to raise themThe terrifying and holy moment of sending a child out into the worldWhy just looking at them with pride might be the greatest chinuch of all

Becoming Normal with the Simcha of Chanukah.Woodmere, NYErev ChanukahDecember, 2022

Based on the teachings of R' Ya'akov Meir ShechterDecember, 2016Efrat, 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.

 Based on teaching from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, we see how the nature of oil teaches us how to be a true lamplighter in the world.oil, chanuka, hanuka, torah, chabad, lubavitch, shlomo katz, rebbe, shirat david, efrat

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 Chanukiyachanuka, 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