Chanukah is one of the most well-known, and well-loved, holidays in the Jewish calendar.

The name Chanukah has two meanings.

The first comes from the root חנך and means “renewal” and “dedication.” That name comes from the rededication of the temple (the Chanukat Habayit) after the Syrian Greeks defiled it.

The second meaning of the name Chanukah is a portmanteau of the Hebrew words חנו כ”ה (they rested on the 25th) referring to the calm that was finally achieved with the end of the battles between the Maccabees and the Hellenists that occurred on the 25th of Kislev.

About a year ago, two rabbis turned web-developers, were trying to come up with ideas on how to keep in touch after an upcoming move and career switches that threatened to separate them.

A few weeks later, on the week of Chanukah, we realized the first meaning of the holiday’s name by “dedicating” a new weekly newsletter, and that’s how Torah && Tech was born!

Now, a year and 55 issues later, we are truly amazed at the impact we’ve been able to have. What started as a way of forcing two friends to keep in touch ended up touching 150 people a week! The feedback we’ve received from Jews and non-Jews, techies, and the “technically challenged” alike let us know that this is content the world really needs.

As we’re getting ready to transition to the second meaning of Chanukah, as Torah && Tech is maturing and “settling down,” the tech world still has many questions it needs to answer and conversations it needs to hold. Questions around ethics, morality, and the impact we have on the world.

At Torah && Tech, we are here for these conversations. We want to hear your voices. And we will continue to spread the voice of the Torah and be a “light unto the nations.”

Chanukah Sameach!

Yechiel

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