The word Chanukah in Hebrew means, dedication. It was on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev (usually falls in December - click here for dates), that the temple was rededicated. This holiday, though considered one of the minor ones, is also known as the Festival of Dedication, or Festival of Lights. It is to be a very joyous and happy holiday. Even, fasting and mourning are not allowed during this holiday season.
The History
The story of Chanukah comes from the book of I Maccabees 1-4. It starts with Antiochus Epiphanes, or as some have known him Antiochus the Illustrious, coming into power. He became king in 175 B.C. over Syria, which is a city in Antioch, and he was a very greedy man for both power and wealth. In order to keep people in unity with him, he would persuade them with gold and riches.
After taking over Egypt he then came against Jerusalem with a very strong force. Noticing the way that the Jews lived he did not hate them as a people, just their beliefs, and he wanted all of them to believe like him. Yet there were two groups of Jewish thought. Those that lived and thought like the Greeks were known as Hellenists, and those who held firm to their Jewish ways of life were known as the Hasidim. When Anitochus came along it was no too hard for him to convince the Jewish people to become Hellenistic because of their fear of him.
On the 15th of Kislev in 167 B.C., Antiochus started desecrating the temple and all of its Jewish religious associations by burning Torah scrolls and selling any gold items such as menorahs. In the middle of the temple he placed a large statute of Zeus on the altar. Then on the 25th of Kislev he offered the flesh of pigs to it. The Jews were told that they could not celebrate the Sabbath anymore or be circumcised. Young male boys were forced to run naked in sports events which was was common at that time. Anyone caught going against his decrees would be put to death.
Just outside of Jerusalem in the small town of Modin, there was a man there by the name of Mattathias who had five sons. He was a well respected man and was not willing to give into the ways of the king. One day while Mattathias was in the market one of the hellenistic townspeople sacrificed to Zeus. Anger rose up in Mattathias and he killed him and one of the king's guards, as well as, tore down the altar. Then Mattathias and his 5 sons fled to the hills knowing that they were no longer safe there. As well as some others who were for the Lord fled with them. The place that they fled to not only became their new home, but it was there training ground as well. They even learned how to creep upon the Syrians at night without being seen.
Shortly after this Mattathias died, but before his death he appointed his son Judah, who was warlike ever since a child, to be his successor. And he not only became their new leader, but he also was like a lion in action.
In time his army had grown, they were still smaller than the armies of Antiochus’ men. They would attack either in the daytime or nighttime, and sing praises to God for their victories. Antiochus made different attempts battling against Judah thinking that eventually these men would tire, and that the defeat would be theirs. BUT, when God is on your side, you always know that you have the victory, and as a result Judah and his men defeated Antiochus and his men in 168 B.C. On the 25th of Kislev they rededicated the temple the same day that Antiochus' men had desecrated it. There was much rejoicing with songs, harps, lyres and cymbals, with sacrifices all for 8 days. That Judas, his brothers and all of the congregation of Israel decreed to observe the rededication for 8 days ever year.
As such because of his defeats he was known as Judah the Maccabee. The word Maccabee actually was an acrostic formed from the words that translated to Who among the mighty is like Thee, O God? There are two thoughts on the actual translation or meaning of the name Maccabee. Some thought that it was a war cry against the Syrian-Greeks, or most widely accepted belief is that meant Hammer.
Celebrating
In the book of Maccabees no where does it mention that they found a small cruse of oil which lasted for 8 days. Instead the story talks about how they rededicated the temple and made all new items for it where it had been desecrated (1Maccabees 4:36-51). Judas, his brothers, and all the congregation of Israel decreed that every year starting on the 25th of Kislev that they should celebrate for 8 days the rededication of the temple.
The Menorah
The rabbis felt that this 8 day celebration came about because of a small cruse of oil that was found and should not have lasted more than a day. However, the big miracle of this was that it lasted for 8 days. Since I cannot find this anywhere I see this as a myth and not truth, but that does not stop me from enjoying the holiday. Yet, do not take my word for it instead read the book for yourself.
The candles should be burnt commemorating the miracle that had taken place. In the temple the original menorah used a seven-branched candelabra versus the nine-branched used today for Chanukah. Both menorahs have a center candle called Shamash, meaning either caretaker or servant, which is used to light the other candles. It is placed a little higher than the rest of the candles to show that it not part of the other ones. The other eight candles are considered as the primary candles, and are placed from right to left since Hebrew is read from right to left. Then candles are lit from the left to right because the newest candle is always lit first. This is a practice that is generally followed as a tradition because God is omnipresent.
The practice of why we burn one additional candle each night is because of the sage Hillel. He felt that from a view of holiness it was better to increase, where another sage, Shammai, thought that we should decrease one candle each night.
What We Eat
Generally on this holiday foods fried in oil are eaten, for obvious reasons, since the oil is symbolic of the miracle. Some of these foods are doughnuts and potato latkes (these are potatoes made like pancakes).
Another food is a cheese dish. This is from the book of Judith also found in the Apocrypha. She had fed cheese to the general of Nebuchadnezzar’s army, and as a result he became very thirst. So Judith gave him large amounts of wine, and became very drunk until he passed out. Then while he was asleep she beheaded him, and as a result the when his armies found out what happened they all fled in fear.
Goose, or any of fowl with lots of fat, such as duck, are eaten. Originally it was the fat of these birds that was used in preparing the oily foods like the potato latkes.
The exact origin of the dreidel seems uncertain. One thought is that the Jews that who rebelled against Antiochus posted children outside playing with the dreidels while they stayed inside to study the Torah. If someone were to come along the kids were there to warn them of it. Another thought was that the Jews who imprisoned for studying the torah would play with them to help pass their time.
The letters on the dreidel stand for A great miracle happened there.
Playing the Dreidel Game
On Chanukah there are different games that can be played. A contest to see who can spin their dreidel the longest, or who can get the most dreidels spinning simultaneously. The most common dreidel game is played with 2 or more people (fun for all ages). It is generally played with Chanuakah gelt (chocolate wrapped in aluminum shaped and designed like coins) and all players start by putting something into the pot. Then taking turns spinning the dreidel the outcomes are as follows:
The player who gets everyone's gelt first is the winner.
Conclusion
We see in Judaism that there are two holidays that have their secular counterfeit (Passover - Easter and Chanukah - Christmas). We also see that in both the secular and the Jewish holidays they both have their traditions and themes that have been added to or taken away from it over time. Yet they all have one thing in common, Yeshua.
How is that you ask? With Passover He is all through it with being the bread of life(John 6:48) with the unleavened bread(matzah). He died and rose again on the third day, and on the third cup the matzah appears which represents Him. In Chanukah He is the light of the world, plus He is the Shamash coming to pass His light on to all men (John 1:4). All things are possible with God only and not our intentions or anyone else's.
Unitl next time shalom.
