"Hanukkah" means "dedication" and we commemorate what led up to the Temple being re-dedicated 165 BCE. To understand the significance of this event, you need to have a deep appreciation for the role the Temple played in the life of the Covenant people, up to, including, and after the time of Jesus (Yeshua). Today, many who follow the Jewish Rabbi do not appreciate the Temple and its central role in our life. Yeshua understood and revered the Temple. Maybe this is the year for you to learn more about it.

You won’t find the events of Hanukkah in your bibles because the events occurred during the Intertestamental period. You have to look at the apocryphal books of 1 & 2 Maccabees, and the Talmud (b. Shabbat 21b). This alone makes some people nervous and unwilling to learn about Hanukkah. Don’t be nervous. Yeshua was all in.

Here’s the basic bottom line if you need a motivation to celebrate. If God had not enabled the Maccabees to overthrow Antiochus IV, which is the history of Hanukkah, the Hebrews may very well have been destroyed and the birth of our Savior would never have taken place.

Here’s the summary version of the history. In the second century before Yeshua, Israel was ruled by Syrian Greeks. The ruler Antiochus IV attempted to assimilate all cultures under his control to his ways of life. The Temple was desecrated, and unclean animals were sacrificed there to Antiochus. Antiochus IV actually outlawed the Torah, making it illegal to observe Sabbath, study and love Torah, eat biblically clean foods, among other things. It was a dark time for the Covenant people. People died for their faith.

What is sad is that today many of the covenant people do not observe sabbath, study torah, or eat biblically clean (among other things) because they are taught in churches that these things are ‘done away with.’ Do you understand the significance of this? The Covenant people were prohibited by government decree to follow God in those ways; God honored those who would not bow to the oppressors, and yet today, churches teach against those very parts of God’s Word! The message of Hanukkah shows us this disparity! Are you accidentally following these laws of Antiochus—the laws of the abomination of desolation? Maybe this is the year for you to prayerfully seek God on this.

These horrible decrees led to a revolt led by the Jewish Hasmonean family, and specifically led by Judah Maccabee. With God’s help, they defeated the enemies of God, and reclaimed control of the Temple. Now the real work began: rebuilding and purifying the Temple of the uncleanness the Greeks had brought. Many people were inspired to return to God’s path. Hanukkah inspires people to shake off the cultural assimilation they have been unwittingly bound with, even when bound by the church, and return to doing things God’s way, for our benefit.

Later Jewish tradition tells the story that only one days' amount of oil for the menorah was found in the Sanctuary, though eight days' worth was needed. Miraculously, the oil continued to burn for eight days. This is a fun story, but it is not central to Hanukkah, because the miracles of Hanukkah go beyond that story.

Paul knows the meaning of Hanukkah is commitment and devotion in the face of assimilation. He reminds us to "not be conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2). What better lesson do we have than the events of Hanukkah? Yeshua knows the meaning of Hanukkah is also persevere under persecution. He taught "blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Mathew 5:10). Hanukkah teaches us this.

Hanukkah is a time when you can re-dedicate your temple (your life, your actions, your thoughts). You can turn from the ways of the world, turn from assimilation, steady yourself in the face of trials and temptations that would turn you from God’s good path. Choose God over church decrees that mimic Antiochus.

Why not make this the year to celebrate "nes gadol hayah sham," a great miracle happened there.”

Be blessed,

Gail