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Chanukah 2007

Chanukah ("dedication" in Hebrew) is celebrated this year from sunset this evening, Tuesday, 4 December until sunset on Wednesday, 12 December.  The festival commemorates both the 164 BCE rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the ruling Seleucid (Syrian Greek) Kingdom, under Antiochus IV – and the re-establishment of religious freedom for the Jewish people after a period of harsh repression.  The success of the popular revolt led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers has, ever since, symbolized the Jewish people's fight for, and achievement of, its liberty and freedom as a nation against overwhelming odds.  Chanukah is not a legal holiday in Israel; offices, shops and public transportation will operate as usual.  The Government Press Office offers the following guide:

Historical background to Chanukah

In 200 BCE, the Seleucid King, Antiochus III, conquered the Land of Israel and incorporated it into his kingdom.  While neither he, nor his son and successor, Seleucus IV, forced their Hellenistic culture on the Jews, his second son, Antiochus IV, who acceded to the throne in 175 BCE, instituted – with the active acceptance and support of many Jews – a policy of forced Hellenization and enacted harsh policies against those Jews who refused to adopt Hellenistic culture.  Under Antiochus IV, Jews were forced to eat pork, and Sabbath observance and circumcision were made punishable by death.  In 167 BCE, the Temple was defiled and dedicated to the Greek god Zeus, and became the center of an idol-worshipping cult.

In 165 BCE, a popular revolt – led by Mattathias, an elderly priest from the town of Modi'in (east of Lod), and his five sons – broke out against Seleucid rule.  Mattathias died soon thereafter, and was succeeded by his third son, Judah, also known as Judah Maccabee.  Following a brilliant guerrilla campaign – as well as several victories over far larger, regular Seleucid armies – Judah's forces liberated Jerusalem in the winter of 164 BCE.  The Temple was cleansed and, on the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev, rededicated.

At that time, according to rabbinic tradition, when Judah's men sought to relight the Temple menorah, or candelabra, only one day's worth of pure, undefiled olive oil was found, but the limited quantity of oil miraculously burned for the eight days required for new oil to be pressed.  Thus, the holiday of Chanukah commemorates both the liberation of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Temple, and the miracle of the oil.  In one of the blessings (see below) recited each night, the Jewish people praise God “who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this season.”

Observance of Chanukah

The main element of Chanukah observance is the lighting of the eight-branched menorah (or chanukkiah) in the late afternoon, but not before the sun has begun to set, or at night.  On the first night, one candle (or oil lamp) is lit, with another one being added on each successive night until the eighth night when all eight candles (or oil lamps) are lit.  One extra light (the shamash) stands apart from the others and is used to light them.  Special blessings are said when lighting the menorah, which is traditionally placed in a window or doorway where it will be visible from the outside – in order to publicize the miracle of the oil.  It is customary to eat foods fried in oil – typically jelly doughnuts or potato pancakes – during Chanukah.

In addition, children are given four-sided tops as toys.  In the Diaspora, the sides bear the Hebrew letters that form the acronym: "A great miracle happened there."  In Israel, the sides bear the Hebrew letters that form the acronym: "A great miracle happened here."  In the State of Israel, Chanukah is marked by a torch relay from Modi'in to Jerusalem and giant menorahs are also lit in public squares.

Chanukah is marked by special prayers and scriptural readings in the synagogue, as well as by a special addition to the regular blessing after meals.

The Jewish holy day of Chanukah is an eight day celebration to remember the victory over the three year campaign of Antiochus Epiphanes, Antiochus the mad man, who tried to wipe out, not only the Jewish people but their lifestyle as well.

After Antiochus desecrated the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, the mighty Jewish family known as the Maccabees rose up against this Grecian king to take back their Temple and purify the worship center by lighting the seven branched candelabra, the Menorah, which stayed lit for eight days with only one days supply of virgin olive oil.

As Jews around the world celebrate the eight days of Chanukah, the enemies of the Jewish state of Israel prepare to eradicate, not only the lifestyle of the Jewish people, but according to Bible prophecy, these enemies want to eradicate the Jews themselves.

On Kislev 25, 168 B.C., Kislev, the Jewish month that corresponds with our December, Antiochus Epiphanes, or better known as "Antiochus the Mad Man", led the war effort to take over the Temple in Jerusalem and desecrate their Jewish worship center by slaughtering a pig on the altar. Over the next three years, the Jews suffered the blasphemy of this mad man, Antiochus. Then, the Jewish family, the Maccabees rose up to take back the Temple from Antiochus Epiphanes, in fact on the same date, Kislev 25, except three years to the date after the Temple was desecrated, the Maccabees would reconsecrate the Temple, then they lighted the Menorah with enough virgin olive oil for one day and it continued to give light for eight days, thus the Jewish holy day of Chanukah, the Feast of Lights, the Feast of Dedication.

The ancient Jewish prophet, Daniel had predicted this prophetic event 300 years before it happened and referred to it as the Abomination of Desolation, a prototype of a similar event which will take place during the Tribulation period, Daniel 11:20-35, 9:27. In order for the next Abomination of Desolation to take place, there must be a Temple standing in Jerusalem, which by the way, the Jews are prepared to build right now.

Chanukah reminds us that Bible prophecy will indeed be fulfilled.

Hi Dreamweaver,

Thank you for that description of the day that even our Savior kept in John 10 (The Feast of Dedication), and in the same context He revealed who He is when He said, "I and the Father are one." (John 10:30)

We attended a Messianic synagogue (they are Jews that believe in Jesus), and enjoyed the celebration so much, it was totally Christ based for 8 days! It also gave us a much better foundation and understanding of the historical view of the Bible and prophecy. I must say, that when a Jewish person comes to know Jesus (Yeshua) as their Messiah they have a very impressive grasp of scripture. We had a wonderful time, and so did our 12 year old son.

Thanks for the post!!

Hi Barbara,

Yes I know what the Messianic are, they our brothers and sisters in Christ.