Something needed to be done to rally and refocus the people to the worship of the One true God, as instructed by Moses. Many Hanukkah celebrations begin in full darkness, then the light of a candle the first Hanukkah candle pierces the darkness, and then more candles and more lights! Thus, we have no explicit record of Jesus celebrating Hanukkah but neither do we know if he did not. A Jewish virgin would not have given birth to a child who would be raised as Jewish. And, why Hanukkah mattered to Jesus. Maria Baer lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband and two children, who are Jewish believers in Jesus. It would take eight more days to prepare another batch of sanctified oil, but the Jews decided to light the menorah with the oil they had. Foreshadowing Victory in the End Times, Let There Be Light! Miraculously, it burned for eight nights. Yet, God is rarely silent and was still at work behind the scenes. Does John place the Bread of Life Discourse at the time of Pesach Sheni? After Mattathiass death in 166 B.C., his son Judah the Maccabee (the Hammer) took his fathers place in the fight and led the Jewish people in many victories over the Seleucids. And so because God keeps His promises, please join us in dedicating ourselves anew to live for Him by the power of the Ruach ha Kodesh, the Holy Spirit who burns withinus. She had been teaching in the Israel College of the Bible in Jerusalem and is often invited to speak at various conferences. Please be respectful of copyright. In the Gospel of John 10:22-39, Jesus is portrayed testifying about himself as God's Son - not performing traditional Chanukah "hymns of thanksgiving" as recorded 2 Maccabees 10:1-8. Many scholars (including myself) regard this Gospel's accounts of conflicts with some members of the Judean establishment as an intra-Jewish debate -- a debate among Jewish people with differing visions for what their faith should mean. It was in the context of that recent history that they said to Jesus, If you are the Christ, tell us plainly (John 10:24). By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. Hanukkah is celebrated around the world, wherever there are Jewish people. An illuminated 15th-century manuscript of Josephus's The Jewish War features colorful illustrations of the Maccabees' revolt againt Antiochus. Get new monthly articles and special invitations in your inbox! Some may celebrate at home, while others, like these children in Colorado Springs, may light the menorah during Hanukkah services at their local synagogue.

, Controversial oil drilling paused in Namibian wilderness, Dolphin moms use 'baby talk' with their calves, Nevada is crawling with swarms of smelly 'Mormon crickets'. Moreover, people did not celebrate birthdays in the first century, so Jesus certainly did not celebrate Christmas. . Feast of Dedication: How Jesus Fulfills Hanukkah - The Gospel Coalition While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. According to the Talmud, when Judas Maccabeus entered the Temple, he found only a small jar of oil that had not been defiled by Antiochus. Do spelling changes count as translations for citations when using different english dialects? The Temple needed to be cleansed and restored. Genesis Mysterious Giants: Who Were the Nephilim? Israels victory over Antiochus and his mighty army showed forth that miraculous power. Hanukkah Hebrew for "dedication" is also known as Chanukah or the Festival . Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Jesus Keeps Hanukkah in Jerusalem Timeline - Bible Study 10:36; elsewhere this Gospel connects Jesus with the temple). What's the meaning (qualifications) of "machine" in GPL's "machine-readable source code"? of a group of Jewish people (the Maccabees) over the Syrian Greeks, who had been occupying the Land of Israel since before 167 B.C. Did Jesus celebrate Hanukkah? What is Hanukkah? The Jewish festival of lights explained This common understanding, however, does not reflect the history of either holiday. Hanukkah, which means dedication, commemorates the miracle of light that occurred when Judah rededicated the Temple to the Hebrew god. Hanukkah, 1 and 2 Maccabees, and the Apocrypha Extreme 'ghostly' particles detected in our galaxy, Heres where to travel in the U.S. this July. Could the six jars of wine at the Wedding at Cana symbolize the six followers of Jesus at the wedding? I don't think dedication meant anything other than what you find out of Ezra 6:16. Please disclose your affiliation. One of the reasons for the lack of a clear-cut explanation of Antiochus's policy is the scarcity of sources. On the walls of Jerusalem's Old City, a colorful menorah lights up the night during Hanukkah. This 400-year season in traditional biblical history is often referred to as the silent years. Therefore, it is easy to suppose that Jesus has nothing to do with Hanukkah and that there is nothing Jewish about Christmas. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct. He loves the passionate devotion of those that follow Him. From Michelin-starred menus to gilded historic sites, these restaurants are worth a visitwhether or not youre a tourist. Its not mentioned in Leviticus 23, where all the biblical feasts are described and their observance is commanded. 5Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,Says theLordof hosts. Zech. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Photograph by Zev Radovan, Bible Land Pictures, Alamy Stock Photo, Josephus Flavius, "Jewish War," Alamy Stock Photo, Photograph by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette/AP, Colossal gravitational waves found for the first time. All rights reserved. Corrections? The worst desecration was the defilement of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. During the winter holiday season, many Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of a Jewish Messiah who is also the Savior of the world. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days! Passover Will Come Again. Maybe even Chanukah? Is "that Prophet" Muhammad, as Islam teaches? They were greatly outnumbered, but they fought courageously and drove them out of the city and out of the Temple. [37] If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. Interested in an electric car? There are eight candles for each day of the holiday. Shammai held that all eight candles should be lit the first night, with the number decreasing by one each night thereafter. This reminds us of the words of John about Yeshua:The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness has not overcome it. It was the season of remembering a victory of a righteous priestly deliverer. The practice is enshrined in the Talmud (Shabbat 21b), which describes the miracle of the oil in the Temple. This rebellion, led by the Maccabees, proved successful. Why Do Jews Celebrate Hanukkah? - Newsweek Doug Hershey shares from a perspective of historian and storyteller. And then, there is one that is different. Its moving a concept into a reality, Jen says. OSPF Advertise only loopback not transit VLAN. They wanted to light Menorah, as it is commanded in the Torah:Bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. The Greco-Syrian Seleucid kings would emerge victorious and rule many of Alexanders former territories, including Judea (located in central, present-day Israel). Then, you realize later that He was simply working behind the scenes. However, the special oil found with it was enough only for one day. When the Jewish fighters returned to Jerusalem, they discovered that the Persians had sacrificed a pig (an un-kosher animal) on the altar, thus desecrating the Temple. For which of these are you going to stone me? [33] The Jews answered, It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God. [34] Jesus answered, Is it not written in your law, I said, you are gods? What did Jesus Himself celebrate? The book of 1 Maccabees in the Apocrypha speaks of Jewish zealots who were passionate for the Torah. Jesus, in all likelihood did observe Hanukkah. How do we celebrate Hanukkah today? Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. In the context of another occupation, this time Roman, the Jews come to Jesus and said: if you are the Christ (Messiah), tell us plainly.. Here's what you need to know about Hanukkah's origins and how it is celebrated. The Christian story depends on the Jewish epic. The light of the first Hanukkah truly shone in the midst of the darkness! It only takes a minute to sign up. It was in the context of that recent history that they said to Jesus, "If you are the Christ, tell us plainly" (John 10:24). What are the benefits of not using private military companies (PMCs) as China did? Nevertheless, first-century memories about Jesus do associate him with one festival at this season: the festival of Hanukkah. The Messiah would not have died and rose again to atone for our sins. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days beginning on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev. Before we understand the connection between Hanukkah and Jesus, we need to review the backstory of the holiday. They all made sure to visit the temple too because that is where the miracle of . Perhaps this is the God that you recognize. Although the traditional practice of lighting candles at Hanukkah was not established in the books of the Maccabees, the custom most likely started relatively early. John described it: an unction from the Holy One. Jesus talked to them about eternal life and not being snatched from the Fathers hand. Unlike other feasts, there is no fasting or mourning. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of theTemple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean revolt against theSeleucid Empire. F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary. These are the biblical facts that define the context of John 10:22. The story of Hanukkah is preserved in the books of the Maccabees. But One greater than the Temple stood on Solomons porch that day. Learn more when you read The Gospel According to Hanukkahget your copy here! Centuries of antisemitism in the church have created massive rifts between Jewish and Christian communities. Don't take it personal. If you want to otherwise say he had a house in Jerusalem by all means prove it. They took the oil and lit all the wicks on the menorah. This timeline covers the life and ministry of Jesus from late 29 A.D. to the end of the year. We need to be very careful with the text here - John 10:22 only says that Jesus was in Jerusalem at the feast Dedication which most understand to be "Hanukkah", the historic celebration of the Maccabean Revolt and rededication of the temple. Here's how to prepare. What Is Hanukkah, and Why Do We Celebrate It? - MSN that you may be blameless and harmless the children of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Ephesians 5:8, Philippians 2:15). It lasts for eight days. Join the 65,243 who get encouraging articles, an exclusive insider view, and connect with what God is doing in Israel every week. Hanukkah, (Hebrew: Dedication) also spelled anukka, Chanukah, or Chanukkah, also called Feast of Dedication, Festival of Lights, or Feast of the Maccabees, Jewish festival that begins on Kislev 25 (usually in December, according to the Gregorian calendar) and is celebrated for eight days. In 164 BCE, Antiochus even desecrated the Temple: the altars, the utensils, the golden Menorah were all defiled. About halfway through this period, Alexander the Great conquered the world of the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Hellenizationsecularizing into Greek culture began, including speaking Greek instead of Hebrew. Only as God come in the flesh is Jesus able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him.. Kislev mirrors that date. He was widely considered an. Not seldom it is right in the middle. Schools are closed, and menorahs are displayed atop such prominent buildings as Israels parliament, the Knesset. We might not always agree on the meaning of Jesus' participation in Jewish festivals, but we can agree that Jesus honored these traditions of his people. And if He hadnt been who He claimed to be, they would have been absolutely right to do so. But the earliest source we have of this term suggested something very different. the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes came into power and tried to force Judeans to assimilate. According to Jewish tradition, when they were rededicating the Temple, they only had enough oil to light the menorah for one day. The miracle of Hanukkah occurred between the end of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the recorded history of Jesus life. What is Hanukkah, and why is it celebrated? The answer is, No. Why does the present continuous form of "mimic" become "mimicking"? The story doesn't appear in the. One of the reasons for the lack of a clear-cut explanation of Antiochus's policy is the scarcity of sources. To read more, the segments is found at November 19th: https://sabineshares.wordpress.com/2021/10/20/looking-up-and-rejoicing-like-enoch-simeon-and-anna/. This year (2017) it falls on December 12-20. The editorial staff of Christianity Today had no role in the creation of this content. Jesus was celebrating with Israel the rededication of Temple. Jews from all over the country of Israel were pouring into Jerusalem to celebrate this special holiday. After years of outnumbered warfare, a great Jewish military victory was won. Having evicted the pagan idolaters from their Holy Temple, they began the process to repair, restore, cleanse, and rededicate it to the Lord. YAHUSHA HA'MASHIACH CELEBRATED HANUKKAH! | by HoldOn | Medium No wonder Satan has attempted to annihilate the Jews throughout history! More relevant for our present subject, however, is the account's value for some discussions today. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means dedication. That is the only biblical reference to a well-known winter holiday that Jesus celebrated, a holiday many will celebrate this month. However, there are manyboth Christians and Jewswho actively or passively reject Jesus Jewishness. Hanukkah commemorates the victory in 164 B.C. Hanukkah is one of the most joyous of Jewish holidays. The Jews then surrounded Him andbegansaying to Him, How longwill You keep us in suspense? Starting the Prompt Design Site: A New Home in our Stack Exchange Neighborhood, Statement from SO: June 5, 2023 Moderator Action. Julia writes Torah Portion commentaries for different sites, and has been doing Torah weekly lessons at Netiviah radio. In his Gospel, John again tells us that Jesus was at Jerusalem for the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Some scholars suggest that this passage depicts Jesus as consecrated or dedicated to God the way this festival celebrated the altar's rededication (cf. More than just the Jewish answer to Christmas, what is Hanukkah exactly? Thats why for Messianic Jews like the Wallaces, observing Hanukkah is an invitation to step closer to Jesusto hear and taste and see and remember. to teach the people because of the available crowds. She teaches two biblical courses at the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies, Discovering the Hebrew Bible and Jewish Background of the New Testament, and writes Hebrew insights for these courses. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Upon his death, Alexander's empire was divided up by his four generals. The jar contained only enough oil to burn for one day, but miraculously the oil burned for eight days until new consecrated oil could be found, establishing the precedent that the festival should last eight days. It's time to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights that lasts for eight days and nights in honor of a 2,000-year-old miracle in which light won out over darkness. In memory of this, Hanukkah, an eight-day celebration, was established. At its core, it is a celebration of casting Greek influences out of Jewish life and returning to Gods instructions for life and worship. Most of what we know about his decree, its implementation, and the subsequent Jewish . Hanukkah is a powerful story of God intervening on His peoples behalf and showing His faithful lovingkindness. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. They lasted until the end of the 8th day when the new oil was ready. The holiday's popularity has surged in modern times, but its origins date back to the turbulent centuries following the death of Alexander the Great, the ancient Macedonian leader who conquered the Persian Empire. Is Hanukkah the Jewish Christmas? | My Jewish Learning And if there were any sacred book, or the law found, it was destroyed: and those with whom they were found miserably perished also.. Is there any particular reason to only include 3 out of the 6 trigonometry functions?

Every night of Hanukkah, one more candle is lit in the menorah. Songs are sung, and gifts are exchanged to commemorate the miracle in the Temple more than 2,000 years ago. When is Hanukkah 2023? After it was purified, a new altar was installed and dedicated on Kislev 25. She co-hosts Breakpoint This Week with The Colson Center for Christian Worldview and attends Cross City Church. Jesus Celebrated Hanukkah Christmas as a holiday did not exist until centuries after Jesus was born. Judas then proclaimed that the dedication of the restored Temple should be celebrated every year for eight days beginning on that date. Should they focus on a holiday that is not in the canon of Scripture, and happened in the silent years? However, there would be only two reasons for Jesus to be in Jerusalem at this time of year: While it could have been both, we must recall that Hanukkah is not specified in the Torah (this does not make it wrong!) However, according to theTalmud, they found only a single jar of undefiled oil, and that was only enough to last a single day. [ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10&version=NRSV ]. Article Images Copyright 2021 Jupiter Images Corporation. In 2023 Hanukkah begins on the evening of Thursday 7 December. In any case, it is still appropriate at Hanukkah to say, nes gadol haya sham, a great miracle happened there. The miracle of Hanukkah is the miracle of Gods preserving power. In this sense, one cant miss the connection between Hanukkah and Christmas. Therefore, we are to keep our temples free of the defilement of the world. This is so beautiful and symbolic: In the worlds darkest hour, the light comes! 42:1, Jn.1:9). Love at First Sight? Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabean (Hasmonean) victories over the forces of the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes (reigned 175164 bce) and the rededication of the Temple on Kislev 25, 164 bce. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the lord is risen upon you. Because in the long arc of the story of Gods redemption, there would be no Christmas without Hanukkah, says Rabbi Jonathan Bernis, President and CEO of Jewish Voice Ministries International. The redemption from the bondage of sin through the sacrifice of Christ is celebrated, a parallel of the Jewish Passover's celebration of redemption from bondage in the land of Egypt. Although not mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures, Hanukkah came to be widely celebrated and remains one of the most popular Jewish religious observances. He was drawing on their knowledge of all the Old Testament prophecies and the Hanukkah story to reveal who he was: the long-awaited Messiahthe divine messenger. Heres what science recommends. The flaming servant is then used to light the rest of the candles. John 10 tells us that Jesus was in the temple walking in Solomons colonnade as the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. Thats Hanukkahand Jesus traveled all the way from Galilee to Jerusalem to celebrate it. The jar contained only enough oil to burn for one day, but miraculously the oil burned for eight days until new consecrated oil could be found, establishing the precedent that the festival should last eight days. A statue of Zeus was erected in the Kodesh Ha Kodeshim (Holy of Holies), and a pig was sacrificed on the holy altar! Unsurprisingly, many recognize the role of Jesus in the special candle on the Hanukkah menorah. Gods chosen people had become idolatrous and rebellious which led to both Israel and Judah going into captivity to the Assyrians and Babylonians. During the lighting, people recite special blessings and prayers. Today Hanukkah is celebrated with a unique menorah with 9 branches, rather than the normal seven. Jesus Celebrated Hanukkah, So Why Dont We? It's time to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights that lasts for eight days and nights in honor of a 2,000-year-old miracle in which light won out over darkness. Heres why. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Jesus keeping festivals was not invented by later Gentile Christians, and it is intrinsically likely historically, barring evidence to the contrary, that Jesus did in fact observe the festivals observed by most other Galileans and Judeans. According to the Talmud (one of Judaisms holy texts), the Seleucids left only one intact vial of oil, just enough to light the Temples candelabrum for one day. What Is Hanukkah, and Why Do We Celebrate It? - Reader's Digest Many believe that a more likely reason why we celebrate Hanukkah for eight days is that the Maccabees, upon recapturing Jerusalem, conducted a belated Feast of Tabernacles celebration. 2 min read. Of course, John is referring to Hanukkah (Hebrew for dedication.) When Jews celebrate the festival of Purim, commemorating Queen Esther's thwarting of an evil plot against the Jews of Persia, Jews gather in synagogues and joyfully read the biblical Book of Esther, which details the events being celebrated. Judah was called Maccabee a word composed of the initial letters of the four Hebrew wordsMi Kamocha BaeilimHashem, Who is like You, O Yahweh? and therefore it is called the Maccabean Revolt. The Hanukkah story is not recorded in the canon of Scripture (what we call the Bible). Yeshua lived a Jewish life, which naturally included observing the holidays. Rather than exterminate the Jews, he tried to force them to accept Greek culture. He was very Jewish. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The Gospels offer countless examples affirming Jesus Jewish identity. Hanukkah, in short, becomes for some the Jewish Christmas." Ironically, by elevating Hanukkah as a Jewish alternative . [Recall that a tradition is only wrong when it interferes with truth or nullifies it, eg, Matt 15:5, 6.]. He wasn't just painting. He knew every law, prophecy, custom, and festival, including Hanukkah. Regardless what day of the week it falls on, Hanukkah simply calls for a celebration. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. This is the essence of the eight-day celebration. And then, He stated, I and the Father are one. (John 10:30).