The time of Chanukah refers to the rededication of the altar at the Temple in Jerusalem. Within Scripture, the dedication of the altar and the Temple is always an extremely important point in the Almighty's relationship with His people. However, the time noted as a yearly celebration remembers the Greek attack by Antiochus Epiphanes captured the Temple. This was followed by the Maccabean Revolt which recaptured the Temple and soon rededicated the altar in 164 BC. This event goes largely unnoticed in Christianity. In Judaism, there is a special focus on an oral story involving a miracle with oil for the Temple Menorah.

Feast of Dedication in Scripture

Now on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and eighth year, they rose up betimes in the morning, {53} And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made. {54} Look, at what time and what day the heathen had profaned it, even in that was it dedicated with songs, and citherns, and harps, and cymbals. {55} Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success. {56} And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise.

1 Mac 4:52-56 KJV

1 Maccabees

Chanukah in Rabbinic Judaism

What is 'Hanukah? The rabbis taught: "On the twenty-fifth day of Kislev 'Hanukah commences and lasts eight days, on which lamenting (in commemoration of the dead) and fasting are prohibited. When the Hellenists entered the sanctuary, they defiled all the oil that was found there. When the government of the House of Asmoneans prevailed and conquered them, oil was sought (to feed the holy lamp in the sanctuary) and only one vial was found with the seal of the high priest intact. The vial contained sufficient oil for one day only, but a miracle occurred, and it fed the holy lamp eight days in succession. These eight days were the following year established as days of good cheer, on which psalms of praise and acknowledgment (of God's wonders) were to be recited.

Rodkinson Translation
from the Babylonian Talmud

Chanukah is the celebration of the rededication of the Temple in 164 BC after the Jewish people reclaimed it during their war with the Greek Empire. It is eight day observance starting on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month of the religious calendar which falls in the winter time of the northern hemisphere. This typically corresponds with November or December in the Gregorian calendar. Chanukah is the celebration of the rededication of the Temple. This came about by the success of the Jewish fighters, known as the Maccabees, over the Greek Army. Because they do not accept the apocryphal books as canon, their primary focus in celebration is on what is recorded in the Talmud which is the miracle of the oil in the Temple.

Jewish Observances and Traditions

Minor Day

This is considered only a minor day and it is not the same type of feast as those requiring the people to go to Jerusalem as designated in Torah. Therefore, it is kept by each family in their own home. It is not a day of rest where work is prohibited (except on weekly Sabbath).

Blessings

Three blessings involved for the lighting of the candles. 1. Blessed are You. Haneirot halolu (these lights), ???, Shehechiyanu, maoz tzur (song of hope and courage), Al Hanissim added to Birchat Hamazon (grace after meals) and Shmoneh Esrei (silent prayer) for morning afternon and evening (refers to miracles) and the entire hallel is recited in shacharit (morning) prayers. Also in synagogue there is a reading recalling the offerings by the tribes of Israel during the inauguration of the Temple.

Chanukiah

The chanukiah is a nine branched candlestick very similar to the Temple Menorah (which only has 7 branches). It has eight candles to represent the miraculous eight days that the Menorah stayed lit while they made new oil. It has a ninth candle, the shamash, that is used as a servant candle to light the others. On the first day a single candle is lit, on the second day 2 candles, and so forth. Blessings are sung while they are lit. Observant Jews are instructed to set it in a window or doorway so that this miracle can be publicly proclaimed. The candles may be used for anything but enjoyment. In all, 44 candles are needed.

Dreidel

There are different stories about the creation of the game. One is that it was simply a game created for children to play. Others say it was a secret way for the children to practice their Hebrew during the times of the Syrian-Greek oppression. Study of Torah was a crime punishable by death, and so they pretended to be playing the game. Either way, the spinning top that is used commemorates this event by spelling out in acronym 'nes gadol hayah po' "a great miracle happened here" if you are in Israel or 'nes gadol haya sham' "a great miracle happened there" if you are elsewhere in the world. The game sometimes involves gambling with candy or money. Literally they are Yiddish words nit (nothing), gantz (all), halb (half), and shtell (put) which are the rules of the game.

Food

Traditional foods for this day are those cooked in oil to commemorate the miracle of oil in the tabernacle. A favorite is called a latke and is much like a hash brown or potato pancake. Traditional recipes use shredded potato, onion, egg, matzah meal, spices, and oil. sometimes adding other vegetables also. Dairy and cheese products are also used because the Jewish heroine Judith used cheese and milk to make General Helipornas, a Syrian-Greek, sleepy so she could kill him. Cheesecake is especially common.

Gelt

Gelt is money or presents traditionally given to children during Chanukah. It is suggested this tradition arose so that Jewish children do not feel different or sad about not receiving gifts when other children are receiving gifts at Christmas.

Chanukah Bush

A custom of giving gifts each night for the eight nights of Chanukah. It is typically only to one's own children and is usually money or something small. It has been compared to the burning bush seen by Moses. Yet it seems to be an American tradition which may have come from pressures faced by children being left out of Christmas and some say it competes with the Christmas tree.

Olympics

What has happened with Chanukah and the name of Maccabee since that time is sadly ironic. This event, which was to show that the Jews would follow the commands of the One Most High and not compromise with the world has changed. The word maccabee is the name of a beer in Israel (maccabi) and the title of the Jewish Olympic Games (the Olympics came from Greece) played in Tel Aviv in 1923 was called Maccabiah.

Hasmoneans

There are many interpretations regarding the origin of the 'Hasmoneans'. The Maoz tszur calls them "hasmanim" meaning noble or distinguished and may have been title of honor given to a family of kohanim priests. In the Talmud, Tractate shabbos 21b and also Bava Basra 3b reffer to "Beit Hasmonean" the house of the Hasmoneans so perhaps it is the family's ancestral name. Also suggested is that "Chashmonai" may indicate the family's origin in a town called Cheshmon in Judea.

Maccabee

There are different theories as to how this title / name was acquired. Maccabee means 'hammer' and may allude to the strength of Mattathias and his sons. Another possibility is that Maccabee is a shortened form of the phrase 'mikamocha baalim Adonai' which has been said to be their battle cry.

Debated Issues

Conception

Some groups suggest that Chanukah was the time of Mary's conception because Yahshuah claimed to be the 'light of the world'. Also, by looking at the timing of the births of John the Baptist and Yahshuah, we can see ... One study says: John the Baptist was he was born about sivan20 (11th week) which would have him born about Passover nisan 14. Six month's later would be conceived inKislev (chanukah time) and born born about FEast of TAbernacles.

Authors Commentary

Importance to the Almighty's People

Although Chanukah does not deal directly with Messiah and the work He does for our atonement and salvation, there is cause to stop and think about the Temple and it's meaning. The rededication of the Temple, like the original dedications, showed that the Almighty was coming to dwell with His people. That if they choose to be His people then He would be their Mighty One and act on their behalf. This is powerful and magnificent. We can look at the battles fought by the Jewish people against the Greek armies and see how the Almighty was there with them.

Assimilation

Chanukah and Purim are two separate events and make an interesting comparison and contrast. In Orthodox tradition, both are considered minor high days. This is perhaps reflective of the fact that any commandments to keep them come from man and not from the One Most High. Both are times worth remembering and contain lessons to be learned. Purim, though, looks at the attempt to totally wipe out and destroy Israel ... a plot which the Almighty did not allow to happen. Chanukah looks not at destruction, but instead focuses on assimilation into another culture. The Greek way of life was spreading throughout the known world. They assimilated cultures both slowly and quickly; pulling them into their own ways of doing things and into worshipping the gods they worshipped. This was what the remnant of Judah was now facing.

Purity

Our own battle for purity is hampered and difficult in the modern society we live in as well. There are so many things that try to distract us and assimilate us into a society where money, power, fame, greed, gluttony, laziness, and a long list of other things try to make us live and do things the way society is. Is it not time for us to rededicate our lives to Him? Is it not time for us to get out of man's systems and into the Almighty's? Is it not time to seek the promised land where His blessing flows like milk and honey? We can have it in our lives if we try. He will help us fight those battles. It takes belief in His care and Faith in His ability to care for us ... two things that are at the core of the attacks against a believer by the majority of society. If these qualities can be knocked out of a person, then assimilation is easy. Then we will follow the programs and methods of success that society chooses to use because we are left feeling we must fend for ourselves rather than letting Him take care of such matters. The dangers of a long gradual road towards assimilation cannot be over-expressed. It is a slippery slope which must be defended against.

Rededication

Today, we do not have the Temple in Jerusalem. However, we ourselves are Temples for His Spirit. Now it is time for us to dedicate our hearts, minds, souls, and strength ... our lives ... to Him. It is time to focus on Elohim. It is time to be disciples. It is time to let Him train us up in His ways. It is time to be shining examples of His kingdom so other people will see the beauty of being part of His people and desire to move in that direction as well. Truly, if we dedicate our lives to His ways we will stand out in this world. They will notice, they will wonder, and they will probably think us strange for a time. Yet, as they watch and see the peace in our lives they will come questioning.

Drifting

It does not matter what has pulled us away from Him or what has changed or altered our walk with Him (be it pride, greed, fear, laziness, any lust of the flesh or mind, some way of society, or just simply getting too busy), it remains that we have drifted away and need to turn back and walk on the path that He has for us. We can start again in the right direction ... one step at a time and pushing steadily forward.

Menorah

The word "menorah" is one of what I call the 'my' words. the Mem represents the 'my' and norah is a light which makes the menorah my light meaning it was used in the Tabernacle. YHVH made it with 7 branches for a reason, man has taken it out of the Temple and adapted it's design. In celebrating the chanukiah so much, it is easy to get side-tracked and forget all the other lessons and miracles that occurred in the revolt at that time.

Hannukiah

What do we think about the Hannukiah: - YHVH made the Menorah for the Temple. The word Menorah means: Me, something the Almighty uses as in the Tithe, and norah: a light; Menorah = the Tabernacle light. - Man has taken it out of the Temple and adapted it's design. YHVH made it with 7 branches for a reason. - Do not add or take away from My word. - By using it, it is easy to get side tracked in only remembering the miracle and forgetting all the other lessons.

Referenced Scripture Passages

Covenant	History	Prophets	Apocrypha	Gospels	Epistles
Ex 20:22-26 Ex 27:1-8 Ex 29:36-37 Ex 29:42-46 Ex 40:33-38 Num 7:84-89 Num 8:1-16	1 Kin 8:9-16 Ez 6:13-18	Dan 8:8-14 Dan 8:21-26 Dan 11:31-32 Ez 43:9-17 Ez 43:18-27	1 Mac 4:41-47 1 Mac 1:54 1 Mac 4:52-56 1 Mac 4:58-59 2 Mac 1:17-18	Mat 5:14-16 Mat 24:15-21 Mar 13:14 Luk 20:20-21 Joh 1:6-9 Joh 3:18-21 Joh 8:12 Joh 9:5-7 Joh 10:22-23 Joh 10:24-39 Joh 12:35-36