Blessings on Rabbinical Mitzvahs- On Chanukah and Purim, we say the blessing, Asher Kidishanu - "Which God has commanded us..." Yet aren't those words inappropriate, given that nowhere in the 613 mitzvahs of the Torah are these holidays mentioned. More »
Do-It-Yourself Menorah- I live in North Vancouver, Canada and I have looked everywhere for Chanukah candles - but to no avail. Either the stores are all out of them, or their supplier cannot get them. Any help would be appreciated. More »
Eight Miraculous Days- My daughter came home from school with this question, and I don't have anybody to answer it: Why is the first night of Chanukah also considered a miracle if there was originally enough oil to burn for the first night… More »
Lighting Chanukah Candles After Work- I have a busy work schedule and do not return home until after 8 PM. Should I light when I return? Should my wife light for me earlier, before I get home? Or should I attempt to leave work early… More »
Number of Branches on Menorah- I'm confused. My Chanukah menorah has 9 branches, but the Menorah in our synagogue has 7. Why the difference? More »
One Night of Chanukah?- This year during Chanukah I will be on a wilderness survival trip, and it will be very difficult to properly celebrate the holiday. I certainty won't be able to bring along a Menorah. So if I am going to celebrate… More »
Relighting Extinguished Candles- Last night, the first night of Chanukah, my Chanukah candle decided to go out pretty quickly, for no obvious reason. I relit it, but should I have recited the blessings again? More »
Shabbat Candles & Havdalah on Chanukah- During the Shabbat of Chanukah, which is lit first - the Menorah or the Shabbat candles? And then on Saturday night, which do we do first - the Menorah or the Havdalah service? More »