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Hanukkah/Feast of
Dedication ...
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication
of the 2nd Temple after it had been defiled by Antiochus
Epiphanes and the Seleucids a little over 150 years
before Yeshua. Antiochus had taken control of the Temple,
sacrificed a pig on the altar, and raised an image of
Zeus to be the center of worship in the Temple in Jerusalem.
A brave band of Jewish rebels led by the Maccabee family
fought and eventually defeated the Seleucid occupation
of the Temple. Upon regaining control of the Temple,
the Jewish people cleansed and rededicated the Temple
to God and His service. For eight nights, a nine branched
lamp called a Chanukiah (8 branches plus 1 to light
the others) is lit to remember the recapture and rededication
of the Temple in Jerusalem. Lighting the Chanukiah lamp
is based on a legend that there was only enough oil
to last for one night. According to the legend, the
oil lasted not one but eight nights. Many Jewish people
are not aware of the fact that this story is merely
a legend, not a fact. The miracle of Hanukkah is not
in the Chanukiah, rather it is God, once again, keeping
His promises to His people (Gen
12:1-3). The Biblical lamp (menorah) that
stood in the Temple was a seven branched menorah. Interestingly,
the only place in the Bible that specifically mentions
Hanukkah is found in the New Covenant (John
10:22). However, the events of Hanukkah were
foretold in the book of Daniel
(Chapter 8). During this feast, Yeshua made some very
important declarations about His identity (John
10:22-42).
Ways to celebrate:
Whether in a home or congregation, the
focal point of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah
for each of the eight nights. Lighting the menorah provides
a great opportunity to teach and discuss the themes
of Hanukkah. One such theme is the fact that our hearts
are now "temples" of the Holy Spirit (1
Cor 3:16-17). Yeshua makes our temples clean
once and for all (Hebrews 10:11-14).
However, we also continually need to be "cleansed"
from sins that we continue to commit (1
John 1:5-10). Hanukkah is a wonderful time
to "rededicate" our temples to Him! Traditionally,
latkes (potato pancakes) are served on Hanukkah since
the oil in which they are cooked is a reminder of the
oil that is used in the menorah.
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A seven-branched menorah
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