The Chashmonaim in the Gemara
What did the great sages of the Talmud have to say about the Maccabees, the Chashmonaim, and their actions during and after the story of Chanukah? Join Rabbi Dr. Stuart Fischman as he explores selections from the Gemara that reflect some surprising opinions by the Chachamim.
The Chashmonaim in the Gemara: The Chashmonaim in the Gemara
Hello Everyone,
Chanukah is one of the most joyous holidays in our calendar. Chanukah has its own unique mitzvah- the lighting of candies ( or oil lamps) every night of the eight day long holiday.
What is remarkable is that this holiday and its associated mitzvah is not discussed in the Mishnah. The halachic details regarding the mtizvah of Chanukah candles are discussed in rahter lengthy passage in masechet Shabbat. But that discussion is tangential to the main subject which is the mitzvah of light9ing Shabbat candles ( or oil lamps).
So many scholars have presented theories to answer the question of why did Rabbi Yehudah haNasi who composed the Mishnah ignored the mitzvah of Chanukah. Today we will study this issue as part of a broader discussion of how did the Sages view the Chashmonaim who led the revolt against the Hellenists .
Rabbi Dr. Stuart Fischman graduated from Yeshiva University in 1980 and the dental school of Columbia University in 1985. In 1989 he began studying and teaching at Yeshivat Hamivtar and now studies and teaches at Yeshivat Machanaim in Efrat. He has rabbinic ordination from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg.