The Feast of Dedication - Hanukkah

                                                 

The Bible records Jesus being in Jerusalem at the feast of the dedication.

"And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch." - John 10:22-23 KJV

The feast of dedication is a Jewish festival known as Hanukkah, or festival of lights. Hanukkah (Chanukah) began at sunset Sunday night, December 18th. The Hebrew word “Hanukkah” means “Dedication.”

In 156 BC Syrian-Greek king Antiochus Epiphanes IV and his armies defiled the Temple. He had tried to forcefully uproot the beliefs and practices of Judaism from the people of Israel by forbidding Jewish worship. The scrolls of the Law were confiscated and burned, and Sabbath rest, circumcision and the dietary laws were prohibited under penalty of death.

Antiochus sent his General Apollonius to wipe out Judah and his followers, the Maccabees. Though greater in number and equipment, the Syrians were defeated by the Maccabees.

On this day, the 25th of the Hebrew month Kislev in 139 BC, the Maccabees liberated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Judah and his followers cleared it of the idols placed there by the Syrians, built a new altar, repairing, cleansing and rededicating the Temple back to the service of God.

All the Temple's oil had also been defiled by the pagan invaders. When the Jews went to re-light the Temple's Golden Candlesticks, they could find only one small cruse of olive oil that was ritually pure. By a miracle of God, the one-day supply continued to burn for eight days, until new oil was made available. In memory of this, Jewish sages appointed these eight days for annual thanksgiving and for lighting candles.

For eight nights, candles are lit to recall and publicize this great miracle. A menorah holds eight candles, with one candle placed above the rest that is used to light the other candles. On the first night, one candle is lit. On the second night, two candles are lit, and so on until the eighth night. It is said that throughout the eight nights, the lights are multiplied, totaling thirty-six lights lit over 8 nights. It is required that the menorah lights be set in a window or doorway so that the world that passes by can see the light. A menorah is lit in every Jewish household.