Subscribe to Tanach InSite

Category: jewish-holidays

  • Road 443 – lecture 7

    Road 443 – lecture 7

    —

    by

    Ben Zion
    in ,

    Beit Horon and Yom Ha`Atzmaut Four times a Jewish state was founded in the Land of Israel and the biblical road to Jerusalem played an important role in every one. We`ll see the interesting parallels between the First Israeli Kingdom in the days of Saul, and the Second Kingdom in the days of Judah Maccabee.…

  • Road 443 – lecture 6

    Road 443 – lecture 6

    —

    by

    Ben Zion
    in ,

    Pesach and Yom Hashoah Givon is one of the first places the Israelites arrived at after the exodus from Egypt and it also symbolizes the final destruction – because it was there that Gedaliah was murdered before the exile. This connection between Passover and the Holocaust, which occurs every year in the Israeli calendar, raises…

  • Road 443 – lecture 3

    Road 443 – lecture 3

    —

    by

    Ben Zion
    in ,

    Givon and the Fast of Esther An important battle took place near Givon between Judah Maccabee and Nikanor. This battle took place on the 13th of Adar and was designated for generations as a day of joy – “Nikanor Day”. So how did they establish a day of joy on a fast day? In many…

  • Bet Lechem – lecture 8

    Bet Lechem – lecture 8

    —

    by

    Ben Zion
    in ,

    Bet Lechem and Tu B`Shvat “A land of wheat and barley and vines…a land of olives and honey (dates)”. In the Laws of Blessings there is a rule about this verse: whatever is closer to the word “land” comes first in the order of blessings. Therefore, olives (closer to the word land) are more important…

  • Megilat Ester

    Megilat Ester

    —

    by

    Ben Zion
    in

    Reading of Megilat Ester, on PURIM night, 2026

  • Bet Lechem – lecture 3

    Bet Lechem – lecture 3

    —

    by

    Ben Zion
    in ,

    10th of Tevet and Bethlehem The Babylonian exile, which began on the 10th of Tevet, ended with Nebuzaradan deporting the people of Israel to Babylon. This is the same Nebuzaradan who is mentioned in Rashi about Rachel being buried on the road near Bethlehem – so she can pray for her sons, going to exile.…

  • Derech Hayam – lecture 25

    Derech Hayam – lecture 25

    —

    by

    Ben Zion
    in ,

    Derech Hayam and Hanukka Following the theme of the Derech Hayam – the disengagement from the Egyptian power, in this lecture we will examine the alliance that Judah Maccabee made with Rome as well as the alliance that the sons of Alexander Yanai made with Rome, alliances that probably led to the destruction of the…

  • Derech Hayam – lecture 24

    Derech Hayam – lecture 24

    —

    by

    Ben Zion
    in ,

    The central figure associated with the sea route during the Hasmonean period is – Yohanan Hurcanus. He reconquers Gezer and Afek, understanding their importance as a connection with the wider world and especially… with Egypt. So the connection to Egypt returns! We will examine the figure of Yohanan Hurcanus – is he Yohanan the High…

  • Derech Hayam – lecture 23

    Derech Hayam – lecture 23

    —

    by

    Ben Zion
    in ,

    Gezer and Hanukkah. Approaching Hanukkah, this lecture will deal with Derech Hayam after the days of the Tanach – during the Hasmonean period. Contrary to popular belief, after the Maccabees’ victory on Hanukkah, there were no days of peace. One of the most famous wars took place on Derech Hayam – at Gezer. From the…

  • Derech Hayam – lecture 18

    Derech Hayam – lecture 18

    —

    by

    Ben Zion
    in ,

    Derech Hayam and Sukkot This lecture takes place immediately after Sukkot. We will prove that the Israelites did not live in structures called Sukkot, but rather in a place called Sukkot. A place, which is the starting point of Derech Hayam! A place that symbolizes the first time they were truly freed from Egyptian bondage.…