Triumph of the Light

Chanukah is, without doubt, the most misunderstood of all the Jewish holidays. As this book illustrates, nearly everything we’ve learned about the story of Chanukah, and what it means to us as Jews, is at best only a small part of a far greater story.

• What actually occurred in the times of the Maccabim? What is Chanukah meant to celebrate?
• Which credible sources do we have for understanding what happened?
• Was Matisyahu actually a Kohen Gadol? Where did he live?
• How did the Chashmonai uprising begin?
• How long after the famous nes did Chazal institute the holiday of Chanukah?
• Is there a credible source for the minhag of playing dreidel?
• Who were Chanah and her seven sons? Was her name really Chanah? 

In Triumph of Light, the history of the Chanukah miracle and the Chashmonai rebellion is explored and related in meticulous detail, based on original sources. Carefully researched, eminently readable, and placed in a larger context of Talmudic and political backgrounds, this work brings to light a wealth of material from both ancient and modern sources, all woven into a clear narrative.

Prepare to be astonished by the Chanukah story you thought you knew…

By Rabbi Yonah Klein