Happy Hanukkah
 

In Hebrew, the word "hanukkah" means "dedication." The name reminds us that this holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E.

The Hanukkah Story
In 168 B.C.E. the Jewish Temple was seized by Syrian-Greek soldiers and dedicated to the worship of the god Zeus. This upset the Jewish people, but many were afraid to fight back for fear of reprisals. Then in 167 B.C.E. the Syrian-Greek emperor Antiochus made the observance of Judaism an offense punishable by death. He also ordered all Jews to worship Greek gods.

Jewish resistance began in the village of Modiin, near Jerusalem. Greek soldiers forcibly gathered the Jewish villages and told them to bow down to an idol, then eat the flesh of a pig – both practices that are forbidden to Jews. A Greek officer ordered Mattathias, a High Priest, to acquiesce to their demands, but Mattathias refused. When another villager stepped forward and offered to cooperate on Mattathias' behalf, the High Priest became outraged. He drew his sword and killed the villager, then turned on the Greek officer and killed him too. His five sons and the other villagers then attacked the remaining soldiers, killing all of them.

Mattathias and his family went into hiding in the mountains, where other Jews wishing to fight against the Greeks joined them. Eventually they succeeded in retaking their land from the Greeks. These rebels became known as the Maccabees, or Hasmoneans.

Once the Maccabees had regained control they returned to the Temple in Jerusalem. By this time it had been spiritually defiled by being used for the worship of foreign gods and also by practices such as sacrificing swine. Jewish troops were determined to purify the Temple by burning ritual oil in the Temple’s menorah for eight days. But to their dismay, they discovered that there was only one day's worth of oil left in the Temple. They lit the menorah anyway and to their surprise the small amount of oil lasted the full eight days.

This is the miracle of the Hanukkah oil that is celebrated every year when Jews light a special menorah known as a hanukkiyah for eight days. One candle is lit on the first night of Hanukkah, two on the second, and so on, until eight candles are lit.

Re: Happy Hanukkah
 

As far as I know the only place Hanukkah is mentioned in the New Testament is John 10:22

The struggle of the Jewish people against their oppressors is found in the books of 1, 2, 3, and 4 Maccabees. These books are not found in some of the various versions of the Bible. The original King James Version contained 1 and 2 Maccabees. These books have been deleted in later versions of the KJV.

There is a reference to this struggle in Hebrews 11:35 where a mother and her sons refused to compromise their principles because of their faith in the resurrection. In the older King James Bibles there is a reference to 2 Maccabees 7:7 at Hebrews 11:35.

Re: Happy Hanukkah
 

The oppression of the Jewish people by the evil dictator Antiochus who tried to outlaw the practice of their religion and to force them to compromise their faith can be seen today in the current administration's attempt to force the Roman Catholic Church and others to provide abortion coverage in their insurance plans which is contrary to their beliefs.

During this Hanukkah season when we remember those who so valiantly fought against government oppression we should remember the Roman Catholic Church and others who are resisting the imposition of Obamacare upon them. Also, we should think of those who are trying to resist the imposition of shariah law upon them.

Re: Happy Hanukkah
 

I love stuff like this. Thanks.

Re: Happy Hanukkah
 

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Re: Happy Hanukkah
 

My Jewish friend used to say, "Happy Chaka Khan"! LOL

Re: Happy Hanukkah
 

Good stuff Sam. You have simply described for us why Hanukkah is so important to the Jewish people, and obviously even to Christ, as He was there at the Temple for the feast of the dedication, or Hanukkah. Perhaps it should be important to us Christians as well? What do you think?

Re: Happy Hanukkah
 

I think it should be.

Re: Happy Hanukkah
 

Do you celebrate Hanukkah? Just curious...

Re: Happy Hanukkah
 

No. But I've entertained the thought.