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Audio: Chanukah: Whose Side are You on?

12/6/2009 9:27:00 PM

A7 Radio's "The Shmuz" with Rabbi B. Shafier

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Chanukah centers on the ideological battle of two cultures; the hedonistic Yevanim (Greek / Syrian culture) waged war against Torah ideals. The battle was not fought for the physical survival of the Jewish nation, but rather for its ideology and way of life.

Today, we live in very different times. We are no longer downtrodden and subjugated to oppressive regimes; we are free to choose our lifestyle. Not only does Torah learning flourish at an unprecedented level, we have also created our own insular culture. Even in exile, the Jewish nation has fashioned its own way of life. We have our own neighborhoods and schools, we have our own shopping districts and clothing styles, and we even have our own novels, music, and daily newspapers. It seems we have won the cultural war -- there are no Yevanim influences in our world -- and as such, the message of Chanukah has little to offer us. Unfortunately, this rosy picture is far from reality.

This Shmuz explores some of the inroads that "foreign ways " have found even into the finest Torah homes, and identifies the ideological battleground of our time.

Discuss this topic on the new Torah Spirituality for the Nations forum

Rabbi Ben Zion Shafier is Director of www.TheShmuz.com. His lectures, books and articles have impacted thousands of Jews worldwide. You can hear him on radio in Israel, on Hidabroot in Brooklyn, read his written parsha and video column on Arutz Sheva, or visit his website at TheShmuz.com. On the site you can down load over 200 shmuzin for free, as well as purchase his two books "The Shmuz on the Parsha" and "Stop Surviving Start Living". You may also choose to contact by phone @ 1-866-623-TORAH. Rabbi Shafier hosts The Shmuz every Thursday from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Israel time on Israel National Radio.

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