Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Dedication and the Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the Jewish second Temple in Jerusalem, the Hasmoneans (Maccabee Family) revolt, and the traditional belief of a single-day supply of oil that lasted eight full days during that dedication.

It is also a celebration of a Jewish victory over a tyrant king of the Seleucid Empire and the skewed religious people trying to impose an ideology that wasn’t holy.

Literally, the word “Hanukkah” (חֲנֻכָּה‎) in Hebrew translates to “rededication.”

 

The Miracle of Hanukkah

Beyond the traditions of a Jewish holiday that celebrates the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is a celebration of the rise of the righteousness. This principal miracle took place in the second century B.C. and therefore is not mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures. It is, however, mentioned in John chapter 10 when Yeshua of Nazareth attends the Feast of Dedication. But, what was He attending?

Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist, put on righteousness for a breastplate

Ephesians 6:14

 

The Maccabees Victory

The story of Hanukkah is preserved in the books of first and second Maccabees. These books are not recognized as Holy Scriptures, but rather as historical books. They describe in detail the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the lighting of the menorah.

The Maccabees were a Jewish family with traditional values and the seemingly impossible calling to stand-up for righteousness under the weight of oppressors trying to eradicate their identity, confuse the people, and “put out” the light of the Temple. 

 

The History As We Know It

The Maccabees were the traditionalists and were in an internal conflict against the Hellenized Jews. As the Hellenistic kingdom of Syria sided with the Hellenized Jews, the conflict escalated and the Seleucid king Antiochus the Great took the side of the Hellenizers by prohibiting religious practices. Many other things happened, but suffice to say – as it is always the case – the people representing Adonai’s will won against all peoples unholy ideologies and against all odds.

“I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.'” 

Isaiah 49:9

 

Yeshua & Hanukkah

During his life on earth, Yeshua had a limited time to attend events and celebrations. Yet, He took the time to walk in the Temple Courts during Hanukkah (The Festival of Dedication) and He also participated with his amazing truth. 

Then came Hanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter, and Yeshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo’s Colonnade. So the Judeans surrounded him and said to him, “How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us publicly!” Yeshua answered them, “I have already told you, and you don’t trust me. The works I do in my Father’s name testify on my behalf, but the reason you don’t trust is that you are not included among my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice, I recognize them, they follow me, and I give them eternal life. They will absolutely never be destroyed, and no one will snatch them from my hands. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all; and no one can snatch them from the Father’s hands. I and the Father are one.”

John 10:22-30

It is also important to notice that when we read the Sermon of the Mount in the context of the Festival of Lights, we understand the words of Yeshua in a new light as they come alive with a fresh meaning.

“In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

 

Going Deeper

The above term “good things” and in some translations “good works” are idiomatic for the commandments of Torah. As such, Yeshua instructed his followers to keep the commandments of Torah according to his teaching so that they would retain their saltiness and their light would shine before men and bring honor to the Father.

“Thus, faith by itself, unaccompanied by actions, is dead.”

James 2:17

When we understand that oil is a symbol of the Ruach HaKodesh – the Holy Spirit of Adonai, it makes sense that the Messiah of Israel (Yeshua of Nazareth) was the Anointed One.

“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord.”  

Isaiah 11:1–2

 

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 

Luke 4:18–19; Isaiah 61:1–2

 

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 1:4–5

 

Conclusion

Although Hanukkah is not one of Adonai’s commanded festivals under any covenant, Hanukkah’s celebration was attended by Yeshua when He purposely walked in the Temple during this feast of dedication. He utilized the traditional understanding to present to the World who He is. Our position on such traditional holidays is that they can be used to proclaim the truth of the LORD to all people. We also believe that any national holidays that do not do service to paganism, serve us well. After all, we are meant to be different.

“Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Yeshua walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.”

John 10:22-23

 

This Hanukkah, we at the Community of Israel, pray that the light of the Holy Spirit shines upon you and your family and give you His peace. Support this ministry and make a donation to the Community of Israel.

 

Shalom!

Rabbi Douglas