Jewish Roots by Terri Gillespie
Chanukah—the Feast of Dedication
(2008: December 5th-12th)
Prophetic fulfillments. Impossible odds. Miraculous victories. Courage and dedication. These and more describe the story of Chanukah.
Chanukah’s prophetic roots begin in the book of Daniel; hundreds of years before the Chanukah story, the prophet Daniel had a vision. Recorded in chapter eight, there is a striking description of the Hellenistic empire—an infiltration of Greek philosophies in atrocious opposition to God’s laws. Through two fanatical leaders the Jewish people were brutally persecuted and forced to assimilate into this culture . . . or die. Thankfully, God intervened miraculously through a father and his five sons. This account can be found in the Apocrypha, in 1 and 2 Maccabees. While the thirteen books of the Apocrypha were not judged to be divine revelation, they are nevertheless historically relevant.
Imagine this picture. A contingent of muscular and well-equipped soldiers descends on the little Israeli village of Modi’in. The warriors have already conquered many countries and cities, including the great Jerusalem. To make a bold statement to the Jewish people, the soldiers defiled the holy Temple by sacrificing pigs on the altars and erecting a statue of the Greek god, Zeus.
What is this little town to them?
The soldiers intend to construct a temporary altar to their gods and begin the assimilation process with the citizens. They have no compunction to kill any Jew that does not comply.
The foreigners force old Mattathias, the local Jewish Levite/priest, to publicly sacrifice a swine on the altar and eat the scripturally unclean meat. But old Mattathias has had enough. He surprises the burly men by striking back, killing them. The old Levite enlists his sons and begins the revolt that eventually overcomes the Hellenistic oppressors. One of Mattathias’ sons, Judah, became a leader. He was nicknamed “Maccabee” (the hammer) for his powerful fighting acumen.
Through God’s miraculous favor, the rag-tag group of Jewish fighters defeats the Syrian army and drives them out of the Temple in Jerusalem on the 25th of the Jewish month Kislev. But the Temple is in ruins. The once beautiful structure is desecrated. The seven-branch lampstand—menorah—which represents the light of God is broken. Artisans repair it, but there is only enough Temple oil for one day.
Tradition says the priests needed eight days to produce the oil. But miraculously the menorah burned brightly for eight days—enough time for new oil to be made. During this time the Temple was rededicated to the Lord and His worship.
Ironically, the only mention of the Feast of Chanukah in scriptures is John 10:22-23:
“Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Yeshua/Jesus walked in the Temple, in Solomon’s porch.”
Today the Feast of Dedication is celebrated with the lighting of the Chanukiyah—the nine-branched Chanukah menorah. Different than the traditional seven-branch menorah, the Chanukiyah represents the miraculous eight days of oil burning and the ninth branch is called the shamash (Hebrew for servant). The first night of the Feast the shamash candle is lit. Then the first candle is lit by the “servant” candle.
The second night, the shamash lights two candles. The third night, three and so on. For each of the eight nights of Chanukah, the candles are only lit by the “servant” candle. What a beautiful symbol of how Yeshua/Jesus—the Light of the world—is the only One who can light the hearts of others.
Another significant symbolism is the very theme of Chanukah; the rededication of the Temple. The idolatry and filth were removed from the place where God dwelt among His people. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Paul reminds us to:
“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Like the High Holy Days in the Fall, Chanukah is another opportunity for self-reflection. Let’s have the courage to fight anything that keeps us from our relationship with the Lord. Why not “rededicate” our lives to God during this Season of Dedication.
As we light the Chanukah menorah with the shamash, let us also thank Yeshua/Jesus for lighting our world.
Read More About It: God’s Appointed Times, by Messianic Rabbi Barney Kasdan, Lederer Ministries, 1993, 2007.
RECIPE:
It’s traditional for Chanukah meals to use lots of oil (not good for the waistline, but definitely tasty) and latkes are a delicious tradition.
Potato Latkes (Pancakes)
2 Eggs, beaten
3 cups grated, drained potatoes
4 Tbls Grated onion
¼ tsp pepper
Salt to taste
2 Tbls cracker or matzah meal
½ cup oil
Gently combine the eggs, potatoes, onion, pepper, salt and meal. Heat half the oil in a frying pan and drop the potato mixture into it by tablespoon. Fry until browned on both sides. Some folks drain on paper towels others use brown paper sacks. Keep pancakes hot until all are fried. Add more oil as required.
Serve with applesauce or sour cream. Serves 6-8
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