Jelly Donuts – With a Fork and Knife???

The Elya Rabbah writes (170:11) that one should use utensils to eat with and refrain from using their hands. Additionally, one should refrain from taking large bites of food and make sure not to get any food particles caught in their beard or on their clothing. The Elya Rabbah concludes by stating all these guidelines should be followed even when one eats alone in his home.

The Piskei Teshuvos writes (170:11) that if it is accepted by the general public to eat a certain food with one's hands (i.e. jelly donuts, bagels, or pizza), there is nothing wrong with eating without utensils. However, the Piskei Teshuvos quotes others who say that it is best to be stringent in this area and always use a fork and knife.

Courtesy of Revach.net

Michael Medved: Chanukah

I happened to have been going through my daily blog searching routine when I happened upon the following blog post on Townhall.com, a political online publication. It was written by Michael Medved:

In this holiday season, Americans hear lots of talk about “Hanukkah” but most Christians—and most Jews, for that matter—don’t know what that word actually means. No, Hanukkah doesn’t mean “Festival of Lights,” or “Festival of Tolerance” – the Hebrew word means, simply, “dedication.” It refers to the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C., after its desecration by Hellenists who worshipped Greek Gods in the shape of men. The holiday calls for our re-dedication to resisting secularism and assimilation, and recommitting to God’s commandments. The word “Hanukah” has the same root as “Hinukh” –education—emphasizing that there’s no meaningful education without dedication to divine truth. At the darkest time of each year, the glowing candles of Hanukkah signal dedication to bring light to a world that too often worships men, instead of God.

This "Holiday" Season

Although the Jewish people celebrate the true festival of lights, often times we feel discriminated (to say the least) during X-mas and (of course) Kwanzaa season. The games,songs and presents of Chanuka which are definitely warm and familiar seem to be incomparable to the joyous and jubilant jingles of the uncircumcised. We feel demeaned and patronized and as a direct reaction we crave for the same artificial love and happiness that their holiday encompasses.

But should we really?

http://www.aish.com/jewlariousJtube/jewlariousJtubeDefault/Hebrew_Hammer1.asp

At first glance.....ABSOLUTELY! The puppy is adorable, the children are gleaming with joy, and the bikes are gnarly. Nevertheless we have to realize that there is more to life than attractive lights and a well decorated pine tree. This day will pass and their short lived vacation will be over. They will return to a creedless and meaningless existence while counting to their next vacation. While we on the other hand, continue talking to G-d 3 times a day and anxiously awaiting the coming of the Messiah. We carry with us a rich tradition as the Chosen People. In no way shape or form would we give that up for a few cups of eggnog, gingerbread cookies and an exhibit of lights

Now let me ask you, should we be jealous?

No, but the lights are still gorgeous!

Something That Santa Cannot Appreciate

As Chanuka ebbs away it is important to reflect and realize what the importance of Chanuka really is.

The Ba”Ch says according to the Maharam that there is no mitzvah of simcha on Chanuka. However there is on a mitzvah of simcha on Purim.

What intrinsic difference is there between these two holidays that demands that we celebrate them in different ways?

The Ba”Ch answers, that on Purim our primary sin was that we drank and celebrated at the party of Achashveirosh therefore we now have a chiyuv of simcha and seuda to counteract our original sin, by putting the same amount of zest into a kadosh seuda.

By Chanuka however we do not have such an obligation. Instead we have a chiyuv of hallel vihodaa. The reason for this is because we were nisrashlu biavodam, we were faulty in our service to Hashem. Ultimately we were chozer bitshuva and this is why Chazal specifically instituted that Chanuka be a time of hallel vihodaa. Similar to the story of Purim, the same way the kilkul was biavoda so was the yomtov.

In the end of Meseches Kiddushin the Gemara brings up individual stories about Talmidei Chachamim who were on the verge of committing the gravest immoral sins but instead, at their lowest moments turned everything around by re channeling their emotions to the Torah and Hashem.

The pitfalls of our generation are not necessarily because of new challenges but because of our inability decipher between what is acceptable and what is not.

Hopefully we can take with us the story of the Chashmonaim, who took their initial lapse of avodah to heights that were initially unconceivable.

Oil Shortage

It is very interesting that the Greeks in particular were responsible for the desecration of the Beis Hamikdash.

The word Heichal in gematria = 65, and the yavan = 66. The malchus of Yavan had an extra strength that allowed them to overpower the Heichal.

When they desecrated the Heichal they davka desecrated the oils that were there. Why?

The Maharal answers, that it is because shemen is distinct to kedusha. Raaya ladavar is shemen hamishcha (shmos, 30:26-33) knowing this well they made it their mission to entirely desecrate all kedusha that the beis hamikdash inhibited.

Turkey Anyone?

Much like many other holidays that we have had recently (see Thanksgiving), Chanuka, is a Holiday that is dedicated to the expression of hodaa/thanks to G-d. This hodaa is one that is expressed out of appreciation for the benefit that was received as a result of the Jewish victory over the Hellenistic influences of society at that time.

It is then only appropriate that after receiving a present from someone else, to reciprocate by thanking them for giving you the gift.

But we must ask, “What makes this holiday any different than any other holiday, let alone any other day?!”

Secondly, there is little to no mention of Chanuka at all! From where can we possibly derive that Chanuka has this unique characteristic that is defined by giving an extra thank you to Hashem?

Rav Yitzchak Hutner ZT”L answers that indeed there is one place where we the miracle of Chanuka is mentioned. In davening! After reciting “Modim”, the blessing of thanks, it is customary both on Purim and Chanuka to mention “Al Hanisim” (some say it with a tune others don’t). There is a clear distinction however, between the concluding content of the Al Hanisim on Purim and that on Chanuka.

On Purim, only the details of the miracle are depicted. Similarly, on Chanuka, the details of the Chashmonayim’s victory over the Yivanim are also mentioned. But while concluding the prayer it ends by saying, “They added these days to give thanks and to praise your great name”.

(Gemara Shabbos 21)Regardless of how subtle and how unobtrusive it is, this concluding line hits us hard; don’t forget to say Thank you!

Chanuka = Sufganiyot?

(I believe that I heard this from R’ Meir Goldvicht Shlit”a but it is possible that I heard it elsewhere…)

Chanuka - As the days lead up to this holiday, kids anxiously await the lighting of the first candle and the festivities that follow. In short, it is family time, when relatives both close and distant come together to celebrate our spiritual victory over Hellenism. Objects and delicacies are also used and eaten to extenuate certain events which are also celebrated during this holiday.

Whether it be playing dreidle or eating latkes, it is understood by the masses as to why these practices are done, but one practice in specific is not understood by a majority of the Jewish population.

Jelly Donuts or "Sufganiyot" – Why is it customary for Jews around the world to indulge in these delicious pastries on Chanuka?

Upon being asked this question, Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach quoted a gemara (Avodah Zara 52b) that states that upon the Chashmonaim’s victory over the Greeks, they re-entered the Bais HaMikdash in order to clean and purify it from the various Hellenistic impurities that were placed in Temple. They were successful in salvaging and purifying everything except for the stones of the Alter and were forced to bury them.

Donuts are eaten on Chanuka because after eating Donuts an "Al HaMichya" blessing is said. While reciting this blessing after food, we ask Hashem to rebuild Yerushalayim and the Bais HaMikdash. Unlike Bircas Hamazon however, we do not only ask for the rebuilding of the Bais HaMidash but we specifically ask for rachamim (mercy), "Al Mizabachacha" “on your Alter” which was lost during the story of Chanuka.

Ok, perfect, we now understand why it is appropriate to eat donuts on Chanuka,but why specifically jelly donuts?

The Gemara in Sotah answers that from the time when the Bais HaMikdash was destoyed, the taste of fruits has never been the same. Therefore to commemorate the loss of the Bais HaMikdash and the Mizbei’ach we add fruit jelly to our donuts.

HAPPY CHANUKA! And Beteavon

What Chanuka means to them

Chanuka is upon us and it is a time to recognize our victory over the Hellinists and their cohorts.
Here is a little snippet of information that I never knew about Chanuka that I found on another persons blog. This is definitely worth sharing....


"Chanuka -a Swahili word that means lighten up! get into action! Complain less and Act more."

Have a Happy Chanuka!