Welcome back to Season 7 of The Jewish Road Podcast! If you’ve ever watched Fiddler on the Roof, you know the classic scene - Tevye, the village milkman, listens to two men argue, nods at the first and says, “You’re right.” 

Then he hears the other side and says, “You’re right.” 

A bystander protests, “They can’t both be right!” And Tevye, caught in the tension, sighs, “You’re also right.”

That’s Israel today. Stuck between two truths - both undeniably right, both in direct conflict.

On one side, Israel must do everything possible to bring home the hostages taken by Hamas. It’s not just strategic; it’s a sacred, deeply ingrained Jewish value. 

On the other side, Hamas must be defeated decisively, or this will happen again. Over and over.

So, what’s the right answer? Like Tevye’s dilemma, both are right. And that’s the tension Israel - and the Jewish world - wrestles with today.

What if Hanukkah had never happened? Without this critical moment in Jewish history, the preservation of God’s covenant people—and the birth of the Messiah—might not have occurred. Hanukkah tells the story of a miraculous victory against Antiochus IV, a tyrant who sought to erase Jewish faith and identity. Against all odds, a small band of Jewish rebels, the Maccabees, reclaimed the temple, restored worship, and ensured the survival of their people.

Now more than ever is a time to celebrate Hanukkah and hold onto the light of hope that it provides us. In 1932, Anti-Semitism was on the rise in Europe and many Jewish families could personally feel evil making its way towards them.

Despite what they saw out their window everyday, those with menorahs kept those lights alight and celebrated this historical holiday that not only brought light into their homes but brought a sense of strength and courage as well.

On this episode of the Jewish Road Podcast, we dive into why we should find reason to celebrate Hanukkah today in a time when Anti-Semitism seems more persistent than ever: to provide strength, promise, and hope for the future - even in dark times.

We travel back into the timeline of the Bible to uncover a fascinating connection between the stories of Antiochus Epiphanes IV and Jesus.

While Hanukkah is widely known as the Festival of Lights, and is enjoyed by millions around the world each year, many are unaware of its Biblical backstory.

Through this episode, we can better understand Hanukkah's significance, and also discover why it is so important to be ready for another tumultuous time in Jewish history.