"The Feast of Dedication, The Festival of Lights"

Hanukkah in history:

It is the Hellenistic period around 167 B.C.E. The Jewish people were living under oppression (as usual). Alexander the Great brought the Greeks to world power as he unified the ancient world into one common government and culture called Hellenism.

Alexander's untimely death brought about a political scramble between his four generals, which resulted in a division in the Hellenistic empire. The Ptolemies took the south (including Egypt), The Seleucids took the northern area around Syria. Judea was caught in the middle. Eventually the Seleucid/Syrians (Antiochus IV) took power and controled the provinces.

Antiochus, in an attempt to unify his holdings forced a policy of assimilation into the Hellenistic culture. And, of course, this was without regard for the culture or beliefs of captured peoples. The Seleucids required complete submission in all aspects of life...language, the arts, and certainly religion...all to uphold the Greek way of life.

The Greeks were actually very respected for their way of life and many had no problem submitting to it...even many Jews in Judea. However, there were a significant number of traditional Jews who refused to "convert" to the Hellenistic culture. Antiochus enforced his way of life by declaring that all Jews give up their distinctive customs (Shabbat, kosher laws, circumcision, etc.) or die! And, to prove his point, Antiochus, desecrated the Temple. The altars, the utensils, and the golden menorah (lampstand) were all defiled or torn down.

Worst yet, Antiochus ordered that a pig be slaughtered on the holy altar and he erected an image of the Greek god, Zeus as the new point of worship! Antiochus also insisited on being called "epiphanes" or "god manifest"....repulsive to devout Jews (Antiochus came to be known as "epimanes" or "crazyman" by the Jews).

A revolt was started by a godly priest, Mattathias, and his five sons. One of the sons, Judah became known as "Maccabee" (the hammer) when he emerged as the leader. The Maccabees turned to their knowledge of the hill country and drove out the Syrians and recaptured the Temple in Jerusalem.

When they returned to the Temple they did everything they could to restore it by cleansing the altar and repairing the holy furnishings. One of the most important items to them was the broken menorah, which symbolizes the light of G-d. There was a problem...it would not light and as they searched for oil they found that they had only enough to burn for one day. They needed eight days to travel to retrieve more oil. They lit the menorah anyway and felt that they should let G-d's light shine forth even if only for a day. But, a miracle happened! The menorah stayed lit for eight days until more oil was available!

The Temple was restored and rededicated to the glory of the G-d of Israel and the eight day festival was established, which is called Hanukkah (Hebrew for Dedication). Every year, starting on the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the Jewish community recalls the miracle.

Hanakkuh in the New Covenant:

"Then came Hanakkuh in Yerushalayim. It was winter, and Y-shua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo's Colonnade." (John 10:22-23)

The most clear mention of Hanakkuh is in the NC. The people who tend to not celebrate this holy time have the most profound biblical reference to it! Why should Christians celebrate this special time? Because J-sus celebrated it! Not only did he celebrate it, but he celebrated it in the very Temple that had been cleansed and rededicated! Hanakkuh is a celebration of deliverance, and with this understanding Christians can more fully appreciate...where Y-shua reveals himself as M-ssiah during his Hanukkah message (John 10:25-39)!

This time represents cleansing of idolatry and restoration of G-d as the L-rd of our lives...let us all commemorate this festival this year! Jews and Christians can unite as one and celebrate just as our L-rd, Y-shua did and we can remember G-d's reign and salvation!

Many blessings to all of you!
Shalom, Renee

*My thanks to Rabbi Kasdan for teaching me about the history of the Jews, some of the things I have shared are a paraphrase from his written testimonials.