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HANUKKAH

A history of Hanukkah 

"The word "Hanukkah" (also spelled "Chanukah") actually means dedication, and refers to the rededication of the temple on 25 Kislev 165 BC, after it had been desecrated by the Syrian King Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus attempted to force his own Greek culture and pagan religion on the people of Judea, going as far as to erect an altar of Zeus in the Holy Temple, and even sacrificing a pig on the altar. Of course, the Jewish people were outraged, and staged a successful rebellion led by Judah Maccabee. <...> As soon as the war was over, the Maccabees returned to Jerusalem and cleansed the Temple. Afterward, they held a service of dedication - the first Hanukkah!

According to the Talmud, when the temple was being restored, there was only enough oil found to last for one day, and yet, by some miraculous provision of God, the oil lasted for eight days - long enough for a new batch to be prepared." (More: David Brown. Hanukkah http://www.amfi.org/hanukkah.htm)

"The common point to these explanations is that all refer to a festival named “Chanukah,” meaning “Dedication.” Actually, the earliest use of that Hebrew word is in the Book of Numbers (7:10, 11; 7:84 "Zot Chanukat Hamizbe'ach" etc. - V.N.), referring to the dedication of the altar in the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary our ancestors used while wandering for forty years in the wilderness.Chanukah is also used for the dedication of King Solomon’s Temple (2 Chronicles 7:9; as well as for the dedication of the Second Temple - Esdras 6:16,Esdras 6:17 - V.N.), and again for the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian Exile (Néhémie 12:27 - V.N.). But most people connect “Chanukah” to the rededication of the Second Temple following the Maccabees’ revolt against the Seleucid Greeks." (By Rabbi Lawrence Pinsker, Associate (http://www.shaareyzedek.mb.ca/bulletin/articles/pinsker_rabbi/04-11-00.htm)

"The martyrdom of Hannah and her seven sons has also been linked to Hanukkah. According to the Talmudic story^[1] and 2 Maccabees, a Jewish woman named Hannah and her seven sons were tortured and executed by Antiochus for refusing to worship an idol, which would have been a violation of Jewish law."

"The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a special candelabrum, the Menorah or Hanukiah, one light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. An extra light called a shamash, (Hebrew: "guard" or "servant") is also lit each night, and is given a distinct location, usually higher or lower than the others." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah)

Hanukkah and Purim 

What is common between Hanukkah and Purim? During Purim we speak about how Haman wanted to destroy the Jews physically because of one Jew - Mordecai -  ''bowed not, nor did [him]reverence'' (Ester 3:2).

Ester 3:8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws [are] diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it [is] not for the king's profit to suffer them.

Ester 3:9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring [it] into the king's treasuries.

During Hanukkah we remembered about an attempt to destroy the Jews spiritually. But these attempts hadn't success because of G-d said:  

Malachie 3:6 For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Hanukkah is the light. Out light is Yeshua Messiah.  

Esaïe 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Johh 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 
 
Yeshua was at Hanukkah:
 
Jean 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

Yeshua said: 

Matthieu 5:15 Neither do men light menorah (a lamp), and put it under a bushel, but on a lampstand; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Matthieu 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Luc 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted menorah (a lamp), putteth [it] in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a lampstand, that they which come in may see the light.

Hanukah and the family 

The feast of the dedication - Hanukkah - relates to our families. Strengthen your marriage, improve the family relationship!

A word "hanukkah" has a connection with a word "hinuch" (education). Bring up your kids better! 

Kindle the candles in your hearts! Let us to come the spiritual renovation, joy, long-patience, shalom in your families!