Today is Monday, Tevet 2, 5786 · December 22, 2025
Chanukah Day 8
Today's Laws & Customs
• "Zot Chanukah"
The eighth day of Chanukah is also known as Zot Chanukah (lit., "this is Chanukah"), after a key phrase in the special Chanukah Torah reading for this day (Numbers 7:54-8:4).
In the Jewish calendar, the day begins at nightfall; thus, the last kindling of the Chanukah lights is held on the evening preceding the 8th day of Chanukah, when eight lights are lit (see "Laws & Customs" for yesterday's date). The festival of Chanukah concludes at nightfall this evening.
It is customary, however, to light candles during the daytime as well, in synagogues, in public spaces, and at gatherings held in honor of the festival. These lightings are done without recitation of the blessings as they do not constitute an observance of the mitzvah of kindling the Chanukah lights.
Link: What Is Zot Chanukah?
Today in Jewish History
• 8th Day of Chanukah Miracle (139 BCE)
On the 25th of Kislev in the year 3622 from creation, the Maccabees liberated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, after defeating the vastly more numerous and powerful
armies of the Syrian-Greek king Antiochus IV, who had tried to forcefully uproot the beliefs and practices of
Judaism from the people of Israel. The victorious Jews repaired, cleansed and rededicated the Temple to the service of G-d. But all the Temple's oil had been defiled by the pagan invaders; when the Jews sought to light the Temple's menorah (candelabra), they found only one small cruse of ritually pure olive
oil. Miraculously, the one-day supply burned for eight days, until new, pure oil could be obtained.
In commemoration, the Sages instituted the 8-day festival of Chanukah, on which lights are kindled
nightly to recall and publicize the miracle.
Link: The Story of Chanukah
Daily Quote
It's better to eat in order to pray than to pray in order to eat
— Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch (1789-1866)
Daily Torah Study
Chumash: Vayigash, 2nd Portion Bereshit (Genesis) 44:31-45:7 with Rashi
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English / Hebrew Linear Translation
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Video Class
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Daily Wisdom (short insight)
Tehillim: Chapters 10 - 17
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Hebrew text
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English text
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 6
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English Text (Lessons in Tanya)
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Hebrew Text
• Audio Class:
Listen |
Download
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Video Class
Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvot:
• 1 Chapter A Day: Edut Edut - Chapter 13
• 3 Chapters A Day: Malveh veLoveh Malveh veLoveh - Chapter 7, Malveh veLoveh Malveh veLoveh - Chapter 8, Malveh veLoveh Malveh veLoveh - Chapter 9
Hayom Yom:
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English Text |
Video Class
Audio: 
