In this blog post you will find all things Chanukah. There are videos of how to do Chanukah, how to light the candles, how to play with the dreidel, and how to make latkes and jelly doughnuts. There also videos that are traditional songs and to some silly songs and some funny parodies. If you want to learn about Chanukah or you want to teach her kids about Chanukah or maybe you have a homeschool project that you need information on for holidays you have found the right place to be.
I hope that you enjoy all things Chanukah.
Did Jesus celebrate Chanukah? He did celebrate Chanukah, Chanukah is known as the festival of lights and in the short introductory video you will find out what that meant to Jesus and how we as believers can follow his example.
(Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to check out links that have more in depth information including Why Christians should celebrate Chanukah.)
Have you ever wondered what Hanukkah is all about? Well, Yeshua celebrated Hanukkah and it has nothing to do with Christmas or the Christmas season. Hanukkah is also known as the Feast of Dedication and as the Feast of Lights.
Here is a wonderful article that I found by Pastor Bob Hill explaining what Hanukkah is all about along with two videos about the history of the Feast......
This is my favorite explanation of the holiday if you are just wanting a quick run down.
This article will explain the history and provide instructions on how to light the candles and how to play the dreidel game along with some recipes.
HANUKKAH
THE FEAST OF DEDICATION
by Pastor Bob Hill
http://www.ascensionministries.net/theHanukkahStory.php
THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Hanukkah, "The Feast Of Dedication," stands out among the celebrations of the Bible. The fact that Hanukkah is not spoken of by Moses in Lev. 23 should not cause us to assume that it is therefore non-biblical. To fully understand this holiday, we must go back to what is referred to as the silent four hundred years between the Old Testament and New Testaments. This period of time is referred to by historians as the Hellenistic period of 167 B.C.E. The New Testament reveals the celebration of Hanukkah in John 10:22. John tells us that Jesus was at the Temple walking on Solomon's Porch during the "Feast of Dedication." John also tells us that Jesus reveals an amazing spiritual truth about His divine nature on this holiday.
A few generations earlier, the Greeks had come to world power under the leadership of Alexander the Great; he seemed to have unified the ancient world into one common government and culture called Hellenism. After Alexander's death, there was a political scramble among four of his generals, resulting in the division of the Hellenistic empire. The Ptolemies took control of the South, which included Egypt. The Seleucids took charge of the northern area around Syria. This left Judea caught in the middle of a tug-of-war, wondering what the outcome would be. Eventually, the Seleucid/Syrians, under the leadership of Antiochus IV, gained power and sought control of the new provinces. Seeking to unify his holdings, Antiochus enforced a policy of assimilation into the prevailing Hellenistic culture. Irrespective of the culture and beliefs of the captured peoples, the Seleucids required submission to the Greek way of life. The Greeks thought that to be truly effective this assimilation must apply to all aspects of life, including language, the arts, and even religion. Everything was to conform to the Greek way of life and values.
Hellenism is a polytheists practice that worshipped the ancient Greek godsÑthe Olympians, nature divinities and underworld deities. Examples of these gods are; Zeus, Hera, Athena, Hephaistos, Apollo, Artemis, Demeter, Dionysos, Hermes, Ares, Poseidon and Aphrodite, along with Hades and Hestia. Hellenists also honored other types of divinities, including nature spirits (Pan, nymphs, river gods), chthonic or underworld deities (Persephone, Hermes Psykhopompos), and heroes (e.g., Herakles). The Jewish people were living under the oppression of this king and the above pagan practices. Many Jews in Judea had converted to the Hellenistic way and openly advocated adherence to it. However, there were a significant number of faithful Jews who were appalled by these practices and the changes in their culture.
An ultimatum was given: either the Jewish community must give up its distinctive practice (Shabbat, feasts, Torah reading, circumcision, etc.) or die. To prove his point, Antiochus marched his troops into Jerusalem and desecrated the holy Temple. The altars, the utensils, even the golden Menorah (lampstand) were all defiled or torn down. But that was just the start! Antiochus also ordered that a pig be sacrificed on the holy altar and erected an image of the Greek god Zeus as the new point of worship in the Temple! Antiochus insisted on being called "epiphanies" (God manifest). These Greek practices were in direct conflict with the Ten Commandments and Torah (first five books of the bible).
The Jewish community soon came up with an appropriate reflection of their feelings. Instead of calling him Antiochus Epiphanies they made a play on words, and called him "epimanes" (crazyman)! The murmurings for a revolt were heard in Judea and birthed in a small village called Modi'in. Living in this village was an old, godly priest named Mattathias and his five sons. When the Seleucid soldiers chose him to lead the pagan ceremony, Mattathias and his sons reacted with holy indignation. Enough was enough! They killed the soldiers and started a revolt against the oppressors. One of the sons, Judah, rose to leadership and was nicknamed "Maccabee" (the hammer). Spurred on by their firm conviction that the God of Israel was true and faithful, the Maccabees proved that the impossible could happen.
In the Hebrew month Kislev (December) they drove out the Syrians and recaptured the Temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabees and their followers quickly cleansed the altars and restored the holy furnishings. Of particular importance to them was the broken Menorah symbolizing the light of God. They restored it and lit it, but there was a problem. Jewish tradition recounts that as they searched for some specially prepared oil, they found only enough to burn for one day. The priests knew it would take at least eight days for new oil to be produced. What to do? They decided it was better to light the Menorah anyway; at least the light of God would shine forth immediately. To their amazement, the oil burned not only for one day, but for eight days until additional oil was available!
The Temple was restored and rededicated to the glory of the God of Israel and an eight-day festival was established. It is called Hanukkah (Hebrew for Dedication). Every year, starting on the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the Jewish community recalls the two-fold miracle: the miracle of the oil as well as the miraculous military victory. Some people may question why include Hanukkah with the "biblical" holy days, since it is not mentioned in the feasts of Lev 23. However, the Tanakh (Old Testament) reveals that Hanukkah is clearly predicted in later prophetic writings. The vision given to the prophet Daniel is an amazingly detailed description of the events surrounding Hanukkah as he describes the coming kingdoms that would have impact on Israel. Daniel 8:21-25 also predicts a miraculous deliverance by God! The miracle of Hanukkah is mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures with such detail that some liberal scholars have suggested that Daniel was writing after the fact and not prophetically (see Walvoord's comments on this in Daniel, p.16 and following pages).
THE TRADITIONAL JEWISH OBSERVANCE
Hanukkah is an enjoyable holiday with many meaningful customs. Every year, starting on the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the Jewish community begins its eight-day celebration. The holiday focuses on the Hanukkiah, the nine-branched Hanukkah Menorah. The usual Menorah, like the modern symbol of the State of Israel is seven-branched. The eight branches of the Hanukkiah are to remind us of the eight-day miracle of oil. The ninth branch (in the center with four branches on either side) stands out. It is used to light the other candles and is called the shamash (Hebrew for "servant"). The Menorah is lit after dark, usually in connection with a meal.
After the blessings are said it is traditional to sing holiday songs. Then it's time to enjoy the meal with its traditional foods. Because of the miracle of the oil, it is customary to eat foods cooked in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (jelly doughnuts). Another reminder of the miracle of this holiday is the dreidel game. These wooden or plastic tops have different Hebrew letters on each of their four sides: Nun, Gimel, Hey, and Shin standing for the phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham ("A Great Miracle Happened There.") There is an interesting story behind the dreidel. It is said that the Jewish children of Judea during the Maccabean period wanted to study Torah, but the anti-Semitic policies of the Syrians made this difficult. They came up with a creative answer: they would study the scrolls in the streets until a foreign soldier came, then they would quickly hide the scroll, bring out the dreidel, and pretend to be engrossed in a game of tops! When the soldier left, the Torah study would begin again.
In modern celebrations, dreidels are played with for fun. Each Hebrew letter has its own value for keeping score. Children are given Hanukkah money; which is usually foil-covered chocolate coins they use to wager with and make the game more interesting. More recently, the custom of giving gifts has found its way into the celebration of this holiday. Many families give real Hanukkah money to children, perhaps 25 cents for each year of their age. There is nothing wrong with these traditions. Often people try to establish a connection between Christmas and Hanukkah simply because they occur at the same time. However, they celebrate two entirely different events and any intermingling of the two celebrations is often man-made.
HANUKKAH AND THE NEW TESTAMENT
"And it was at Jerusalem the Feast of The Dedication (Hanukkah), and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch" John 10:22-23 (KJV). Most surprising to both the Jewish and the Christian communities is that the clearest mention of Hanukkah in the Bible is in the New Testament! This brings us to the first reason believers in Jesus Christ might want to understand and celebrate this holiday. The Messiah celebrated it. Not only did Jesus celebrate Hanukkah, but he observed it in the same Temple that had been cleansed and rededicated just a few generations earlier by the Maccabees. Many Jewish scholars see a deeper spiritual meaning to Hanukkah. As the editors of the popular Artscroll Mesorah Series state: Then, the light is kindled to give inspiration, for the light of Messiah must burn brightly in our hearts. (Hanukkah, Mesorah Publications, Brooklyn,1981, pg. 104).
Did Jesus Understand The Importance Of Hanukkah? Yes, while Jesus was walking in the Temple during Hanukkah, they demanded that he tell them whether He was the Messiah. The scripture records that, He told them who He was (John 10:7-23). This "Feast of Dedication", is the time when the Jewish nation was celebrating a holiday about deliverance from a false ruler who had declared he was to be their god. Think of the Godly wisdom and timing for Jesus to choose this place and celebration to reveal that He is God! Antiochus of Epiphanies' made a similar claim, the coming anti-Christ will do the same and now here is Jesus confronting the cultural, political and religious leaders with the truth that He is the Messiah; "I and my Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him." John 10:30-31 (KJV)
He has just declared to them, He is God. He was saying that He is equal to God in all aspects and that He is "God in the flesh". To have chosen the Feast of Hanukkah to declare, "I and my Father are one," is strategic! God is one God, but He exists in a plurality of beings, God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit. The religious leaders were enraged and picked up stones to stone Him. It is no different today; there are many who prefer the religious traditions of men and stone throwing instead of truth (John 10:32-33).
The primary Jewish declaration of faith proclaims that; "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD" Deut 6:4 (KJV). The multitude that heard Him was taken back. They understood exactly what Jesus meant (John 17:21). At this very moment Israel was celebrating their deliverance from such a declaration made by Antiochus the oppressive king and the pagan practices he tried to force upon the people of God. He portrayed that he was a god to them two hundred years earlier on the Temple Mount. Daniels prophecies declare that another anti-Christ will be coming in the future that will do the same. It is no mistake that Jesus chose Hanukkah to proclaim His deity (John 10:37-38). There is a weapon that every generation has against godlessness, lawlessness, and the traditions of man. Hanukkah teaches us that the weapon that combats, "assimilation" into ungodly practices and religious acceptance is unwavering obedience to The Word of God and removal of every high place. Just like the Maccabees we cannot allow one to remain in place, even if the odds are thirteen to one against you! The story of the Maccabees (the hammer people) is a reminder of the unswerving devotion of people who dedicated themselves to uncompromised obedience and faith (Rom 12:1).
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." (John 4:23-26 NKJV)
Authors Personal Exhortation
Hanukkah is not an alternative to the winter solstice celebrations of man. It is the story of a people who said enough, re-dedicated and separated themselves from an anti-christ spirit and the religious practices it represented. Jesus was not born on December 25th.. His conception was near or during the period of Hanukkah and His birth came during the Fall Feast of Tabernacles (Sept. / Oct.). Because Spirit and Truth Worship are foundational to the Christian way of life, I want to encourage you to research where the Yule Tide, Winter Solstice and Christmas celebrations originated from. Then ask yourself, how did these practices and symbols became interwoven into the worship of the Messiah? How did His birth become a celebration during the Winter Solstice instead of the biblical time of Tabernacles?
The biblical "Feasts of The Lord" and other Hebrew celebrations mentioned in the bible have nothing in common with the spring Easter, fall Halloween and winter Xmas celebrations that have become part of Christianity. The feasts of the bible are recorded in Leviticus 23. God told Moses they are; "a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you," (Ex. 31:12-13). Zechariah tells us they will be celebrated during the thousand year millennial reign of Jesus Christ (Zec. 14:15-16). Isaiah tells us that they continue on in eternity after the new heaven and earth is completed (Isa. 66:22-23). If they are celebrated during the millennium and in eternity what makes us think we can change or replace them? Will you understand the relevance of Hanukkah and be a modern Maccabee (a hammer) and declare as they did? "Yet I and my sons and my brothers will live by the covenant of our fathers. Far be it for us to desert the law and the ordinances".
Let me conclude this overview by sharing three simple truths that I have learned during the process of teaching about the Bibles Holy Days.
Sacred Cows make Gourmet hamburgers.
All truth passes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Second it is violently opposed. Third it is perceived as self evident.
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin James 4:17.
Hanukkah is a celebration of conception and deliverance, it is a time to express hope and renew our dedication to serve Him. It is time to throw off the mentality that biblical feasts and celebrations are just Jewish! The scriptures reveal that Jesus and His original twelve apostles celebrated the feasts and other biblical holidays. They didn't quit celebrating them just because churches were planted in gentile nations. History actually reveals that the apostles and their disciples actually taught the gentiles these celebrations and practiced them together. It wasn't until the Roman Church began systematically replacing Hebrew teachings and practices with non biblical dates and pagan celebrations that they began disappearing from the linage of the original churches (in 325 A.D).
You celebrate what you want..., "but as for me and my house we will chose the biblical patterns seen in the life of Jesus Christ and His apostles, including the historical practices of the churches that originated from the twelve apostles." During the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) I renew and re-dedicate myself and my household to not practicing the pagan and religious co-opted practices of the Roman Church and the pagan traditions of men. Certainly all believers in Jesus have important reasons to remember the Feast of Dedication, Jesus did (Jn.10).
THE PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT
As with all the biblical holy days, there are spiritual lessons to be learned from HanukkahÑlight, courage, and faith, to name a few. Perhaps the most vital one is seen in its name. This festival commemorates a time when true worship of God was restored and the pagan practices completely removed from the House of God in Jerusalem. The Temple in Jerusalem no longer stands today. The heart of each true believer in Jesus Christ the Messiah and savior is the temple where the Spirit of God dwells. Too often believers endanger the cleanliness of this Temple by allowing idolatry and pagan practices into their lives. Hence the timeless exhortation from Scripture:
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." - Col 2:8 KJV
A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR A NEW TESTAMENT HANUKKAH CELEBRATION
Hanukkah Reading Night One:
Ps 27:1-3 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?
Hanukkah Reading Night Two:
Ps 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Hanukkah Reading Night Three:
Matt 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Hanukkah Reading Night Four:
Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.
Hanukkah Reading Night Five:
John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
Hanukkah Reading Night Six:
Eph 5:11-15 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
Hanukkah Reading Night Seven:
1 Pet 2:9 But you are a CHOSEN RACE, a royal PRIESTHOOD, a HOLY NATION, a PEOPLE FOR {God's} OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Hanukkah Reading Night Eight:
Phil 2:14-16 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. (NAU)
How Do You Light The Hanukkiah?
Each night, you light the Shammas (servant) candle first. Then you use the Shammas to light the others. Then every night, you light one more candle. You light from the right to left, starting with the candle for the newest night. On the last night, all 8 candles are burning brightly including the Shammas (servant) in celebration of the miracle.
Here is a wonderful article that I found by Pastor Bob Hill explaining what Hanukkah is all about along with two videos about the history of the Feast......
This is my favorite explanation of the holiday if you are just wanting a quick run down.
This article will explain the history and provide instructions on how to light the candles and how to play the dreidel game along with some recipes.
HANUKKAH
THE FEAST OF DEDICATION
by Pastor Bob Hill
http://www.ascensionministries.net/theHanukkahStory.php
THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Hanukkah, "The Feast Of Dedication," stands out among the celebrations of the Bible. The fact that Hanukkah is not spoken of by Moses in Lev. 23 should not cause us to assume that it is therefore non-biblical. To fully understand this holiday, we must go back to what is referred to as the silent four hundred years between the Old Testament and New Testaments. This period of time is referred to by historians as the Hellenistic period of 167 B.C.E. The New Testament reveals the celebration of Hanukkah in John 10:22. John tells us that Jesus was at the Temple walking on Solomon's Porch during the "Feast of Dedication." John also tells us that Jesus reveals an amazing spiritual truth about His divine nature on this holiday.
A few generations earlier, the Greeks had come to world power under the leadership of Alexander the Great; he seemed to have unified the ancient world into one common government and culture called Hellenism. After Alexander's death, there was a political scramble among four of his generals, resulting in the division of the Hellenistic empire. The Ptolemies took control of the South, which included Egypt. The Seleucids took charge of the northern area around Syria. This left Judea caught in the middle of a tug-of-war, wondering what the outcome would be. Eventually, the Seleucid/Syrians, under the leadership of Antiochus IV, gained power and sought control of the new provinces. Seeking to unify his holdings, Antiochus enforced a policy of assimilation into the prevailing Hellenistic culture. Irrespective of the culture and beliefs of the captured peoples, the Seleucids required submission to the Greek way of life. The Greeks thought that to be truly effective this assimilation must apply to all aspects of life, including language, the arts, and even religion. Everything was to conform to the Greek way of life and values.
Hellenism is a polytheists practice that worshipped the ancient Greek godsÑthe Olympians, nature divinities and underworld deities. Examples of these gods are; Zeus, Hera, Athena, Hephaistos, Apollo, Artemis, Demeter, Dionysos, Hermes, Ares, Poseidon and Aphrodite, along with Hades and Hestia. Hellenists also honored other types of divinities, including nature spirits (Pan, nymphs, river gods), chthonic or underworld deities (Persephone, Hermes Psykhopompos), and heroes (e.g., Herakles). The Jewish people were living under the oppression of this king and the above pagan practices. Many Jews in Judea had converted to the Hellenistic way and openly advocated adherence to it. However, there were a significant number of faithful Jews who were appalled by these practices and the changes in their culture.
An ultimatum was given: either the Jewish community must give up its distinctive practice (Shabbat, feasts, Torah reading, circumcision, etc.) or die. To prove his point, Antiochus marched his troops into Jerusalem and desecrated the holy Temple. The altars, the utensils, even the golden Menorah (lampstand) were all defiled or torn down. But that was just the start! Antiochus also ordered that a pig be sacrificed on the holy altar and erected an image of the Greek god Zeus as the new point of worship in the Temple! Antiochus insisted on being called "epiphanies" (God manifest). These Greek practices were in direct conflict with the Ten Commandments and Torah (first five books of the bible).
The Jewish community soon came up with an appropriate reflection of their feelings. Instead of calling him Antiochus Epiphanies they made a play on words, and called him "epimanes" (crazyman)! The murmurings for a revolt were heard in Judea and birthed in a small village called Modi'in. Living in this village was an old, godly priest named Mattathias and his five sons. When the Seleucid soldiers chose him to lead the pagan ceremony, Mattathias and his sons reacted with holy indignation. Enough was enough! They killed the soldiers and started a revolt against the oppressors. One of the sons, Judah, rose to leadership and was nicknamed "Maccabee" (the hammer). Spurred on by their firm conviction that the God of Israel was true and faithful, the Maccabees proved that the impossible could happen.
In the Hebrew month Kislev (December) they drove out the Syrians and recaptured the Temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabees and their followers quickly cleansed the altars and restored the holy furnishings. Of particular importance to them was the broken Menorah symbolizing the light of God. They restored it and lit it, but there was a problem. Jewish tradition recounts that as they searched for some specially prepared oil, they found only enough to burn for one day. The priests knew it would take at least eight days for new oil to be produced. What to do? They decided it was better to light the Menorah anyway; at least the light of God would shine forth immediately. To their amazement, the oil burned not only for one day, but for eight days until additional oil was available!
The Temple was restored and rededicated to the glory of the God of Israel and an eight-day festival was established. It is called Hanukkah (Hebrew for Dedication). Every year, starting on the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the Jewish community recalls the two-fold miracle: the miracle of the oil as well as the miraculous military victory. Some people may question why include Hanukkah with the "biblical" holy days, since it is not mentioned in the feasts of Lev 23. However, the Tanakh (Old Testament) reveals that Hanukkah is clearly predicted in later prophetic writings. The vision given to the prophet Daniel is an amazingly detailed description of the events surrounding Hanukkah as he describes the coming kingdoms that would have impact on Israel. Daniel 8:21-25 also predicts a miraculous deliverance by God! The miracle of Hanukkah is mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures with such detail that some liberal scholars have suggested that Daniel was writing after the fact and not prophetically (see Walvoord's comments on this in Daniel, p.16 and following pages).
THE TRADITIONAL JEWISH OBSERVANCE
Hanukkah is an enjoyable holiday with many meaningful customs. Every year, starting on the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the Jewish community begins its eight-day celebration. The holiday focuses on the Hanukkiah, the nine-branched Hanukkah Menorah. The usual Menorah, like the modern symbol of the State of Israel is seven-branched. The eight branches of the Hanukkiah are to remind us of the eight-day miracle of oil. The ninth branch (in the center with four branches on either side) stands out. It is used to light the other candles and is called the shamash (Hebrew for "servant"). The Menorah is lit after dark, usually in connection with a meal.
After the blessings are said it is traditional to sing holiday songs. Then it's time to enjoy the meal with its traditional foods. Because of the miracle of the oil, it is customary to eat foods cooked in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (jelly doughnuts). Another reminder of the miracle of this holiday is the dreidel game. These wooden or plastic tops have different Hebrew letters on each of their four sides: Nun, Gimel, Hey, and Shin standing for the phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham ("A Great Miracle Happened There.") There is an interesting story behind the dreidel. It is said that the Jewish children of Judea during the Maccabean period wanted to study Torah, but the anti-Semitic policies of the Syrians made this difficult. They came up with a creative answer: they would study the scrolls in the streets until a foreign soldier came, then they would quickly hide the scroll, bring out the dreidel, and pretend to be engrossed in a game of tops! When the soldier left, the Torah study would begin again.
In modern celebrations, dreidels are played with for fun. Each Hebrew letter has its own value for keeping score. Children are given Hanukkah money; which is usually foil-covered chocolate coins they use to wager with and make the game more interesting. More recently, the custom of giving gifts has found its way into the celebration of this holiday. Many families give real Hanukkah money to children, perhaps 25 cents for each year of their age. There is nothing wrong with these traditions. Often people try to establish a connection between Christmas and Hanukkah simply because they occur at the same time. However, they celebrate two entirely different events and any intermingling of the two celebrations is often man-made.
HANUKKAH AND THE NEW TESTAMENT
"And it was at Jerusalem the Feast of The Dedication (Hanukkah), and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch" John 10:22-23 (KJV). Most surprising to both the Jewish and the Christian communities is that the clearest mention of Hanukkah in the Bible is in the New Testament! This brings us to the first reason believers in Jesus Christ might want to understand and celebrate this holiday. The Messiah celebrated it. Not only did Jesus celebrate Hanukkah, but he observed it in the same Temple that had been cleansed and rededicated just a few generations earlier by the Maccabees. Many Jewish scholars see a deeper spiritual meaning to Hanukkah. As the editors of the popular Artscroll Mesorah Series state: Then, the light is kindled to give inspiration, for the light of Messiah must burn brightly in our hearts. (Hanukkah, Mesorah Publications, Brooklyn,1981, pg. 104).
Did Jesus Understand The Importance Of Hanukkah? Yes, while Jesus was walking in the Temple during Hanukkah, they demanded that he tell them whether He was the Messiah. The scripture records that, He told them who He was (John 10:7-23). This "Feast of Dedication", is the time when the Jewish nation was celebrating a holiday about deliverance from a false ruler who had declared he was to be their god. Think of the Godly wisdom and timing for Jesus to choose this place and celebration to reveal that He is God! Antiochus of Epiphanies' made a similar claim, the coming anti-Christ will do the same and now here is Jesus confronting the cultural, political and religious leaders with the truth that He is the Messiah; "I and my Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him." John 10:30-31 (KJV)
He has just declared to them, He is God. He was saying that He is equal to God in all aspects and that He is "God in the flesh". To have chosen the Feast of Hanukkah to declare, "I and my Father are one," is strategic! God is one God, but He exists in a plurality of beings, God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit. The religious leaders were enraged and picked up stones to stone Him. It is no different today; there are many who prefer the religious traditions of men and stone throwing instead of truth (John 10:32-33).
The primary Jewish declaration of faith proclaims that; "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD" Deut 6:4 (KJV). The multitude that heard Him was taken back. They understood exactly what Jesus meant (John 17:21). At this very moment Israel was celebrating their deliverance from such a declaration made by Antiochus the oppressive king and the pagan practices he tried to force upon the people of God. He portrayed that he was a god to them two hundred years earlier on the Temple Mount. Daniels prophecies declare that another anti-Christ will be coming in the future that will do the same. It is no mistake that Jesus chose Hanukkah to proclaim His deity (John 10:37-38). There is a weapon that every generation has against godlessness, lawlessness, and the traditions of man. Hanukkah teaches us that the weapon that combats, "assimilation" into ungodly practices and religious acceptance is unwavering obedience to The Word of God and removal of every high place. Just like the Maccabees we cannot allow one to remain in place, even if the odds are thirteen to one against you! The story of the Maccabees (the hammer people) is a reminder of the unswerving devotion of people who dedicated themselves to uncompromised obedience and faith (Rom 12:1).
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." (John 4:23-26 NKJV)
Authors Personal Exhortation
Hanukkah is not an alternative to the winter solstice celebrations of man. It is the story of a people who said enough, re-dedicated and separated themselves from an anti-christ spirit and the religious practices it represented. Jesus was not born on December 25th.. His conception was near or during the period of Hanukkah and His birth came during the Fall Feast of Tabernacles (Sept. / Oct.). Because Spirit and Truth Worship are foundational to the Christian way of life, I want to encourage you to research where the Yule Tide, Winter Solstice and Christmas celebrations originated from. Then ask yourself, how did these practices and symbols became interwoven into the worship of the Messiah? How did His birth become a celebration during the Winter Solstice instead of the biblical time of Tabernacles?
The biblical "Feasts of The Lord" and other Hebrew celebrations mentioned in the bible have nothing in common with the spring Easter, fall Halloween and winter Xmas celebrations that have become part of Christianity. The feasts of the bible are recorded in Leviticus 23. God told Moses they are; "a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you," (Ex. 31:12-13). Zechariah tells us they will be celebrated during the thousand year millennial reign of Jesus Christ (Zec. 14:15-16). Isaiah tells us that they continue on in eternity after the new heaven and earth is completed (Isa. 66:22-23). If they are celebrated during the millennium and in eternity what makes us think we can change or replace them? Will you understand the relevance of Hanukkah and be a modern Maccabee (a hammer) and declare as they did? "Yet I and my sons and my brothers will live by the covenant of our fathers. Far be it for us to desert the law and the ordinances".
Let me conclude this overview by sharing three simple truths that I have learned during the process of teaching about the Bibles Holy Days.
Sacred Cows make Gourmet hamburgers.
All truth passes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Second it is violently opposed. Third it is perceived as self evident.
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin James 4:17.
Hanukkah is a celebration of conception and deliverance, it is a time to express hope and renew our dedication to serve Him. It is time to throw off the mentality that biblical feasts and celebrations are just Jewish! The scriptures reveal that Jesus and His original twelve apostles celebrated the feasts and other biblical holidays. They didn't quit celebrating them just because churches were planted in gentile nations. History actually reveals that the apostles and their disciples actually taught the gentiles these celebrations and practiced them together. It wasn't until the Roman Church began systematically replacing Hebrew teachings and practices with non biblical dates and pagan celebrations that they began disappearing from the linage of the original churches (in 325 A.D).
You celebrate what you want..., "but as for me and my house we will chose the biblical patterns seen in the life of Jesus Christ and His apostles, including the historical practices of the churches that originated from the twelve apostles." During the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) I renew and re-dedicate myself and my household to not practicing the pagan and religious co-opted practices of the Roman Church and the pagan traditions of men. Certainly all believers in Jesus have important reasons to remember the Feast of Dedication, Jesus did (Jn.10).
THE PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT
As with all the biblical holy days, there are spiritual lessons to be learned from HanukkahÑlight, courage, and faith, to name a few. Perhaps the most vital one is seen in its name. This festival commemorates a time when true worship of God was restored and the pagan practices completely removed from the House of God in Jerusalem. The Temple in Jerusalem no longer stands today. The heart of each true believer in Jesus Christ the Messiah and savior is the temple where the Spirit of God dwells. Too often believers endanger the cleanliness of this Temple by allowing idolatry and pagan practices into their lives. Hence the timeless exhortation from Scripture:
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." - Col 2:8 KJV
A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR A NEW TESTAMENT HANUKKAH CELEBRATION
Hanukkah Reading Night One:
Ps 27:1-3 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?
Hanukkah Reading Night Two:
Ps 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Hanukkah Reading Night Three:
Matt 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Hanukkah Reading Night Four:
Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.
Hanukkah Reading Night Five:
John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
Hanukkah Reading Night Six:
Eph 5:11-15 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
Hanukkah Reading Night Seven:
1 Pet 2:9 But you are a CHOSEN RACE, a royal PRIESTHOOD, a HOLY NATION, a PEOPLE FOR {God's} OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Hanukkah Reading Night Eight:
Phil 2:14-16 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. (NAU)
How Do You Light The Hanukkiah?
Each night, you light the Shammas (servant) candle first. Then you use the Shammas to light the others. Then every night, you light one more candle. You light from the right to left, starting with the candle for the newest night. On the last night, all 8 candles are burning brightly including the Shammas (servant) in celebration of the miracle.
Chanukah
Chanukah is probably one of the best known Jewish holidays, not because of any great religious significance, but because of its proximity to Christmas. Many non-Jews (and even many assimilated Jews!) think of this holiday as the Jewish Christmas, adopting many of the Christmas customs, such as elaborate gift-giving and decoration. It is bitterly ironic that this holiday, which has its roots in a revolution against assimilation and the suppression of Jewish religion, has become the most assimilated, secular holiday on our calendar.
The story of Chanukah begins in the reign of Alexander the Great. Alexander conquered Syria, Egypt and Palestine, but allowed the lands under his control to continue observing their own religions and retain a certain degree of autonomy. Under this relatively benevolent rule, many Jews assimilated much of Hellenistic culture, adopting the language, the customs and the dress of the Greeks, in much the same way that Jews in America today blend into the secular American society.
More than a century later, a successor of Alexander, Antiochus IV was in control of the region. He began to oppress the Jews severely, placing a Hellenistic priest in the Temple, massacring Jews, prohibiting the practice of the Jewish religion, and desecrating the Temple by requiring the sacrifice of pigs (a non-kosher animal) on the altar. Two groups opposed Antiochus: a basically nationalistic group led by Mattathias the Hasmonean and his son Judah Maccabee, and a religious traditionalist group known as the Chasidim, the forerunners of the Pharisees (no direct connection to the modern movement known as Chasidism). They joined forces in a revolt against both the assimilation of the Hellenistic Jews and oppression by the Seleucid Greek government. The revolution succeeded and the Temple was rededicated.
According to tradition as recorded in the Talmud, at the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks. Oil was needed for the menorah (candelabrum) in the Temple, which was supposed to burn throughout the night every night.
Some Chanukah Traditions
Chanukah is not a very important religious holiday. The holiday's religious significance is far less than that of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover, and Shavu'ot. It is roughly equivalent to Purim in significance, and you won't find many non-Jews who have even heard of Purim! Chanukah is not mentioned in Jewish scripture; the story is related in the book of Maccabees, which Jews do not accept as scripture.
The only religious observance related to the holiday is the lighting of candles. The candles are arranged in a candelabrum called a menorah (or sometimes called a chanukiah) that holds nine candles: one for each night, plus a shammus (servant) at a different height. On the first night, one candle is placed at the far right. The shammus candle is lit and three berakhot (blessings) are recited. After reciting the blessings, the first candle is then lit using the shammus candle, and the shammus candle is placed in its holder. Candles can be lit any time after dark but before midnight. Each night, another candle is added from right to left (like the Hebrew language). Candles are lit from left to right (because you pay honor to the newer thing first). On the eighth night, all nine candles (the 8 Chanukah candles and the shammus) are lit.
This is how to like the Chanukah candles.
It is traditional to eat fried foods on Chanukah because of the significance of oil to the holiday. Among Ashkenazic Jews, this usually includes latkes (pronounced "lot-kuhs" or "lot-keys" depending on where your grandmother comes from.
Ingredients: 2 eggs, 3 cups grated, drained potatoes, 4 Tbls. grated onion, 1/4 tsp. pepper, 2 Tbls. cracker or matzah meal, 1/2 cup oil or butter.
Directions: Beat the eggs and add the potatoes, onion, salt, pepper and meal. Heat half the oil or butter in a frying pan and drop the potato mixture into it by the tablespoon. Fry until browned on both sides. Keep pancakes hot until all are fried and add more oil or butter as required. Serves 8. Serve with applesauce or sour cream.
HANUKKAH BRISKET
Yield: 12 servings
1 1/2 Cups Sun-Dried Tomatoes, packed in oil
1 Cup Boiling Water
1 Beef Brisket (About 4 1/2 Pounds), trim all visible fat
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Paprika
1 Teaspoon Pepper
1/2 Cup Ketchup
1/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
8 Bunches Baby Carrots, trimmed
1/2 Pound Green Beans
3 Onions, sliced
In cup, combine sun-dried tomatoes and water: let stand 15 minutes or until softened. Meanwhile, season beef with salt, pepper and paprika. In sauce pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, brown beef in 1 TBS. hot oil 10 minutes, turning once. Remove to plate; keep warm. In the same pot over medium heat, cook onion in remaining 1 TBS. hot oil, stirring, 10 minutes or until tender. Add tomatoes with their liquid, ketchup, brown sugar and lemon juice; bring to a boil. Add brisket; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2 hours, 40 minutes. Add carrots and beans; continue simmering 20 minutes or until tender. Remove beef; let stand 15 minutes before carving.
Those Chocolate Coins at Christmas Time Are Not From Santa
Gift-giving is not a traditional part of the holiday, but has been added in places where Jews have a lot of contact with Christians, as a way of dealing with our children's jealousy of their Christian friends. It is extremely unusual for Jews to give Chanukah gifts to anyone other than their own young children. The only traditional gift of the holiday is "gelt," small amounts of money.
Another tradition of the holiday is playing dreidel, a gambling game played with a square top. Most people play for matchsticks, pennies, M&Ms or chocolate coins. The traditional explanation of this game is that during the time of Antiochus' oppression, those who wanted to study Torah (an illegal activity) would conceal their activity by playing gambling games with a top (a common and legal activity) whenever an official or inspector was within sight. A dreidel is marked with four Hebrew letters: Nun, Gimel, Hei and Shin. These letters stand for the Hebrew phrase "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham", a great miracle happened there, referring to the miracle of the oil.
When I was a kid we would always get chocolate coins at Christmas time it was one of our favorite things to get. I had no idea whatsoever that these chocolate coins actually had a purpose as a matter of fact, I can remember asking why they made chocolate cleans and no one knew the answer. Now I know that they come from Chanukah!
The Children's Guide To Hanukkah by Susan Fischer Weis
HOW TO PLAY THE DREIDEL GAME
Each side of the dreidel bears a letter of the Hebrew alphabet: Nun, Gimel, Hay and Shin. Together, they form the acronym for "Nes", "Gadol", "Haya", and "Sham" which means "a great miracle happened there".
These letters also form a mnemonic for the rules for playing the dreidel game:
Nun stands for the Yiddish word "nit" which means 'nothing'
Hay stands for "halb" which means 'half'
Gimel for "gants" which means 'all'
Shin for "shteln" which means 'put in'
Game Instructions
Give each person the same amount of money, candy or nuts.
Each player puts one piece in the pot.
The first player spins the dreidel and does what the dreidel says.
After a player gets money, everyone puts one more piece into the pot.
Everyone gets a turn. When you are finished playing, you can keep the money or eat your candy or nuts.
Here is the story of Chanukah. Okay I know this is for kids but it's a pretty simple explanation of what Chanukah is.
Here is the story of Chanukah in some fun songs.
The Maccabeats - Miracle - Matisyahu - Hanukkah
This is my favorite Chanukah song!
Light Up the Night - Fountainheads Hanukkah
Here are a few traditional Chanukah songs that you would hear during the eight nights of Chanukah.
Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah
Hanukkah, oh Hanukkah
Oh Hanukkah, Oh, Hanukkah
Come light the menorah
Let's have a party
We'll all dance the hora
Gather 'round the table
We'll give you a treat, dreidels to play with and latkes to eat
And while we are playing
The candles are burning low
One for each night, they she'd a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago
One for each night, they she'd a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago.
Oh Hanukkah, Oh, Hanukkah
Come light the menorah
Let's have a party
We'll all dance the hora
Gather 'round the table
We'll give you a treat, dreidels to play with and latkes to eat
And while we are playing
The candles are burning low
One for each night, they she'd a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago
One for each night, they she'd a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago.
Oh Hanukkah, Oh, Hanukkah
Come light the menorah
Let's have a party
We'll all dance the hora
Gather 'round the table
We'll give you a treat, dreidels to play with and latkes to eat
And while we are playing
The candles are burning low
One for each night, they she'd a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago
One for each night, they she'd a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago.
One for each night, they she'd a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago
One for each night, they she'd a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago.
In the song above it talks about dancing the hora
and this is a video of that dance.
"Hora" means "round dance", and it is considered the "King of Israeli folk dances". The hora is danced at almost any celebration, usually to the song "Hava Nagila". Here we demonstrate the 6-step Hora. This can be danced to any song--either 3/4 or 4/4 timing. Music: "Hava Nagila" by Israeli Folk Group. Teresa Cook, Rejoice in Dance
This dance is also preformed on Chanukah and at any other happy celebration
Chanukah is a very serious
because we celebrate God's faithfulness.
In modern times people celebrate Chanukah in traditional ways and non-traditional ways. Just as any other holiday or religion or political figure here are a few videos poking fun at Chanukah. Unfortunately Chanukah has become very commercialized just like Christmas and many of the Jews in America wanted their children to fit in with American kids and so some of these stories, songs, and videos are result of the commercialized holiday.
In modern times people celebrate Chanukah in traditional ways and non-traditional ways. Just as any other holiday or religion or political figure here are a few videos poking fun at Chanukah. Unfortunately Chanukah has become very commercialized just like Christmas and many of the Jews in America wanted their children to fit in with American kids and so some of these stories, songs, and videos are result of the commercialized holiday.
The Star Wars Movie)
I saw Harry Chanukah beat up Santa
Spinderella
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Winter_Holidays/Chanukah/Christians/christians.html
Learn the Chanukah blessings.
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Holiday_Blessings/Chanukah_Blessings/chanukah_blessings.html
Non-Jews and Chanukah
http://ffoz.org/messiahonline/articles/jewish_tradition/non-jews_and_chanukkah.php
Rome and the Abomination of Desolation
http://ffoz.org/messiahonline/articles/jewish_history/rome_and_the_abomination.php
