#180: Chanukah - Celebrating the War We Didn't Win?

From History For The Curious by R Aubrey Hersh;Mena Reisner.

• Published: Thu, 11 Dec 2025 21:00:58 +0000
• Duration: 51:01
• Audio: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/zisihcc4nc6z9u7s/HC073_-_Ep_180_-_Chanuka_Assembled_mixdown88gg8.mp3
• Page: https://rabbiaubreyhersh.podbean.com/e/180-chanukah-celebrating-the-war-we-didnt-win/
• TorahApp: https://torahapp.org/share/p/3P_history-curious?e=rabbiaubreyhersh.podbean.com%2Fbde46df9-4bc6-3db1-acaa-dfd2c10f4a0f

Chanukah is central to our Jewish Calendar and way of life, but there are many unanswered questions: Why celebrate defeat? What was the real role of Kohanim during the Second Temple? Why was this Yomtov chosen to reflect the ultimate ideal ?

Tracing the story from Alexander the Great and Shimon HaTzaddik through the corruption of the Second Temple and the rise of Hellenism, the podcast redefines the central idea of Chanukah - the only festival established by the Sages post-prophecy

Connecting the ancient clash of civilizations to the battles which echo down through Russia, America and Eretz Yisrael; It defines Who is a Jew.

Timestamps

[0:00:00] Introduction to Greek Exile and Historical Context

[0:01:07] Podcast Dedication and Welcome

[0:02:05] Setting Up the Hanukkah Discussion

[0:04:13] Questioning the Purpose of Hanukkah Celebration

[0:14:44] Historical Prequel: Alexander the Great and Shimon HaTzadik

[0:22:49] Corruption of the Priesthood

[0:26:38] Empire Dynamics After Alexander

[0:31:05] Jewish Attraction to Greek Culture

[0:40:41] The Spiritual Victory of Hanukkah

[0:49:26] Comparing Purim and Hanukkah

[0:50:44] Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-up