In this episode of Hebrew Voices Pagan Origins of Hanukkah?, I sit down with Rabbi Dr. Paul Shrell-Fox to understand from an evolutionary psychology perspective, why it is that the Rabbis took a holiday which commemorates the dedication of the Temple, and turned it into the fire festival many celebrate today.

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CHAPTERS00:00 Intro01:32 What is Hanukkah04:25 Did the “miracle of oil” happen09:00 Is modern Hanukkah a conflation of two things12:04 When did Hanukkah begin to be celebrated14:58 The evolutionary psychology approach to religion19:32 Early fire festivals in Rabbinic texts21:40 Why the Rabbis created a “Jewish” fire festival26:32 How lighting candles “drives out the darkness”28:48 Is lighting Hanukkah candles sympathetic magic31:53 Were the Rabbis trying to downplay the Sadducee victory32:45 What is the earliest source of the “miracle of oil”34:48 Conclusion

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Christmas, Hanukkah, and other Fire Festivals

Hanukkah: Fact and FictionThe Truth About Christmas and TammuzThe Chinese Discover HanukkahLost Tomb of the MaccabeesBoiling a Kid in its Mother’s Milk