Venue: Young Israel of Forest Hills Young Israel of Forest Hills

Machshava:

Chanukah,  Rabbinic Authority 

Description

For how many years did each of the temples last? Was it bad to have a king from the Chashmonaim? Can a non-Jewish government authorize building the temple? Was the altar defiled by Jews or gentiles? Why did the chashmonaim not light tamei oil, if tum'ah hutrah betzibur? How did the oil become tamei? Why do we light in the synagogue? Why does the chazan say kidush in the synagogues outside of Israel? Why do some synagogues also light in the morning? Why do some people recite hallel in the synagogue on Pesach night? Can one eat before one lights, or hears the shofar? Should one wait until the stars are out to light? What are the beliefs of the social orthodox, and why are they intellectually wrong? Do we believe in having blind faith?