Tonight, we’re talking about Chanukah—beyond the candles and the familiar traditions.

At its core, Chanukah comes out of a real historical moment: a clash between cultures, pressures to assimilate, and a community struggling to hold onto its identity.

The story survives mainly through the books of the Maccabees and later rabbinic tradition. It includes the rededication of the Temple, accounts of people who were punished or killed for refusing to abandon Jewish law, and, eventually, the tradition of the miracle of the oil.

In this episode, we look at Chanukah through history, interpretation, and mysticism—examining the Maccabean revolt, what the miracle came to represent, and the idea that light isn’t something we create, but something we uncover.

Chanukah isn’t just about celebration.

It’s about memory, endurance, and how a tradition continues under pressure.

Welcome to our Chanukah special