At its core, it is a celebration of casting Greek influences out of Jewish life and returning to Gods instructions for life and worship. Schools are closed, and menorahs are displayed atop such prominent buildings as Israels parliament, the Knesset. But what started the revolt was dedication to the Torah and to the God of Israel. You dont need to. . In this sense, the light of Hanukkah, shining in the darkness, prophetically foreshadowed this Light of the Messiah! These are the biblical facts that define the context of John 10:22. Yet, God is rarely silent and was still at work behind the scenes. 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. One of the central songs sung during Hanukkah is called BANU CHOSHECH LEGARESH WE CAME TO DRIVE AWAY THE DARKNESS and this is indeed the overwhelming feeling one gets during these celebrations:The light came to overcome the darkness! Despite John's theological interest, then, his account may also tell us something about Jesus' practice. Every day for eight days the candles are lit: one on the first day, two on the second, etc., until on the last day all eight candles are lit. It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. 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. Hanukkah commemorates the victory in 164 B.C. Without entering into a debate about the historical Jesus, we can assume that virtually all Jews living in the. 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. [1] Craig Keener, Jesus and Hanukkah: John 10:22-23, Huffpost, December 6, 2012, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jesus-and-hanukkah-john-10-22-23_b_2233251, (accessed November 5, 2021). And then by the fireplace, they read aloud the Hanukkah story. It was the season of remembering a victory of a righteous priestly deliverer. Just as a heads up, sometimes short incomplete answers get deleted. Hanukkah: The history and traditions of the Festival of Lights In Modiin on the outskirts of Jerusalem, a revolt began, led by an old Jewish priest named Mattathias. (Romans destroyed Jerusalem a quarter century before the probable time when John wrote his Gospel, so this setting was not likely an idea simply invented in his own day.). Some Jews have chosen to adopt the Yuletide festivities. Jewish believers like Jen and her family celebrate Hanukkah for the miracle but also for the metaphor. Looks like you have a lot of information to share. Thus, the uprising began. Wildfire season is getting longer. It is a wonderful time to reflect on the origin of the holiday. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomons porch. It was prophesied in Daniel 8:14, also . Hanukkah, in short, becomes for some the Jewish Christmas." Ironically, by elevating Hanukkah as a Jewish alternative . This Jewish festival takes place in winter, usually December, and lasts for eight days. 5), Passover (chap. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday lasting eight days and honoring the rededication of the holy Temple of Jerusalem after the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks more than 2,000 years ago. He was widely considered an. Maybe a days worth of oil supernaturally burned for eight days and maybe it did not. In John 8, Jesus tells his followers that he is the light of the world. When he spoke those words, his Jewish audience would have heard them like an alarm bell ringing. Hanukkah is celebrated in several ways. John's Gospel is probably the fourth of the four extant first-century Gospels. The dedication was an eight-day process and required the use of sanctified oil for the Lampstandthe seven candlestick menorah that stood in the first room of the sanctuary. It meant forbidding the practice of the Jewish religion, including circumcision. Wildfire smoke affects birds too. Jesus offers a bridge between what has historically evolved into two separate faiths, and an opportunity for deeper reconciliation and mutual appreciation. Christmas as a holiday did not exist until centuries after Jesus was born. By the hand of God, these Jews, known as the Maccabees, overthrew their would-be conquerors and began to rebuild. These Gettysburg maps reveal how Lee lost the fight, Who is Oppenheimer? Hanukkah 2022 - Stories, Traditions & Origins The tradition about Jesus observing Hanukkah is merely one of these, but it is one that invites our attention at this season.[1]. The early date for this story or at least the practice of lighting eight candles is confirmed by the debate of the 1st-century-ce scholars Hillel and Shammai. HANUKKAH REFLECTIONS FOR CHRISTMAS - Israel Institute of Biblical Studies Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. In the first century, you can imagine the excitement and festive atmosphere in the land, as the Temple stood in Jerusalem. Jen Cohen Wallace has a Hanukkiah (a menorah with two extra candles) in the shape of a Stegosaurus. Antiochus was still their ruler, and Syrian troops still occupied Eretz Yisrael and even most of Jerusalem. For the majority of Americans, December 25 is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but for Jews it is a time to consider ones relationship to the wider society. After it was purified, a new altar was installed and dedicated on Kislev 25. According to the Gospels, the Light of Yeshua also came at a time of the darkness and foreign oppression; the hand of Rome was heavy upon Israel, the nation could hardly bear this oppressive yoke. The fossilized shin bone shows clear signs of butchery, but the identity of the hominin species is still unclear. All Rights Reserved. In 164 BCE, Antiochus even desecrated the Temple: the altars, the utensils, the golden Menorah were all defiled. Therefore, we are to keep our temples free of the defilement of the world. Julia writes Torah Portion commentaries for different sites, and has been doing Torah weekly lessons at Netiviah radio. Taking a leap of faith, they relit the Menorah , and by a miracle of God, it continued to burn for eight days, till new oil was made available. @user21676, thanks for the reference. The Seleucids exerted their influence through Hellenization, the spread of Greek art, architecture, and religion. Jerusalem was ablaze in light, as each family burned candles at the doors of their houses. 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. Corrections? This is the miracle of Hanukkah. It lasts for eight days. Please be respectful of copyright. In order to understand it, lets turn to the history. Did Jesus celebrate Hanukkah in John 10:22? This 400-year season in traditional biblical history is often referred to as the silent years. The article includes copied graphics, not easily summarised. While many Old Testament stories follow this patternthe Jewish people who need rescue and a God who intercedesHanukkah points to Gods ultimate saving of his creation in Jesus. 10 airport and train station restaurants that are actually good. According to the Talmud, when Judas Maccabeus entered the Second Temple of Jerusalem, he found only a small jar of oil that had not been defiled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Therefore, it is easy to suppose that Jesus has nothing to do with Hanukkah and that there is nothing Jewish about Christmas. We finally get to the significance of the Hanukkah candles. During the winter holiday season, many Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of a Jewish Messiah who is also the Savior of the world. Not seldom it is right in the middle. They waged a successful rebellion against Antiochus and drove the Syrians out of Israel. As the first act of victorious freedom, their eyes turned to the desecrated temple. The Greco-Syrian Seleucid kings would emerge victorious and rule many of Alexanders former territories, including Judea (located in central, present-day Israel). Christian observances of Jewish holidays - Wikipedia I updated my question with it. The Jewish people continued to celebrate the temple rededication annually, but it would take another 250 years before Hanukkah came to be known as the Festival of Lights, a term coined by the. In Israel Hanukkah is a national holiday, and students present plays, sing holiday songs, and have parties. John's Hanukkah passage might also make a similar point. What did Jesus Himself celebrate? Also known as: anukka, Chanukah, Chanukkah, Feast of Dedication, Feast of the Maccabees, Festival of Lights. 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. When we do, we may often find that God only feels silent and distant. What is this winter Feast of Dedication? The process to make this holy oil was week-long. 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. The Wallaces are Messianic Jews, which means they are Jewish people who believe in Jesus. And He made an astounding claim. Thus, we have no explicit record of Jesus celebrating Hanukkah but neither do we know if he did not. [32] Jesus replied, I have shown you many good works from the Father. One of the reasons for the lack of a clear-cut explanation of Antiochus's policy is the scarcity of sources. Hanukkah is one of the most joyous of Jewish holidays. He usually lit a light on Hanukkah. 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. What's the meaning (qualifications) of "machine" in GPL's "machine-readable source code"? Interested in an electric car? 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. As you grow to appreciate both the miracle and metaphor, perhaps next winter your mantle will hold a scaly-backed Stegosaurus Hanukkiah, complete with nine candles to remember Gods faithfulness in your family, too. No wonder Satan has attempted to annihilate the Jews throughout history! Julia is an author of several books on biblical topics. While Hanukkah practices have changed significantly since the time of Yeshua, His celebrating this holiday highlights His connection to Jewish traditions. In memory of this, Hanukkah, an eight-day celebration, was established. In the first century, you can imagine the excitement and festive atmosphere in the land, as the Temple stood in Jerusalem. How do we celebrate Hanukkah today? This has often been the traditional Christian view of Hanukkah. How did Jesus celebrate it? Jesus fulfilled these precious promises from God. Get all the details on the holiday here . ~John 10:22-23 (TLV) A topic of growing debate today pertains to whether or not, based primarily on this lone statement from John 10, Yeshua celebrated the festival commonly known as Hanukkah, also traditionally called Skip to content Truth Ignited Ministry Menu In response to his blasphemous claim to deity, the Jewish people modified his title, calling him Epimanes (crazy). Most of what we know about his decree, its implementation, and the subsequent Jewish . Put on your yarmulke, here comes Hanukkah! From Michelin-starred menus to gilded historic sites, these restaurants are worth a visitwhether or not youre a tourist. Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates. How does John use the Feast of Dedication in John 10? Shammai held that all eight candles should be lit the first night, with the number decreasing by one each night thereafter. However, the special oil found with it was enough only for one day. The Syrian army consisted of more than 40,000 men it was another David vs. Goliath scenario but, as in the story of David, God performed a miracle, and after a series of battles, the war was won. Jesus Celebrated Hanukkah, So Why Dont We? David said, I shall be anointed with fresh oil everyday (Psalm 92:10). But they only had a one-day supply of holy oil, and it would take eight days to make more. Julia holds an MA degree. It involved beating (not pressing) the olives, then allowing them to sit, to naturally drain the oil. They were greatly outnumbered, but they fought courageously and drove them out of the city and out of the Temple. He wasnt just painting a pretty picture with poetic language. If you want to otherwise say he had a house in Jerusalem by all means prove it. Without Hanukkah, there would be no Christmas. Kislev mirrors that date. Local communities, especially in Judea, resisted it. He wasn't just painting. 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. Jesus, in all likelihood did observe Hanukkah. Passover Will Come Again. Famous papers published in annotated form? Link-only answers can become invalid if the linked page changes. Apostle Paul (Rabbi Saul) said: But we have this treasureanointing in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us (2Cor. Learn more about the traditions and history behind the Festival of Lights known as Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah). The Christian story depends on the Jewish epic. 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. For Christians, this model should invite an appreciation for Jewish tradition. Now here is Jesus, standing in the Temple asserting His own claim to deity. Jews were put to death for refusing to eat pork and other unclean animals under Mosaic Law. Anyone can sign up for this free Hanukkah devotional. How does John 10:22-23 relate to the surrounding text? Jewish worship was forbidden; the scrolls of the Law were confiscated and burned;Sabbathrest, circumcision and the dietary laws were prohibited under penalty of death. The salvation He offered was not from Roman oppression but from the oppression of Satan, sin and even death itself. Yeshua was walking in the Temple around Solomon's Colonnade. Hanukkah continues to be celebrated today in the homes of Jewish people. This is why it is also called the Festival of Lights. It burns first so they can burn, too. Gifts, decorations, sweet deserts and games are used to remember the great miracle that God provided in these 8 days and nights. [ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Maccabees+10&version=NRSV ]. Ultimately, to ensure that no one could worship the God of Israel, Antiochus defiled the Temple in Jerusalem. Every night of Hanukkah, one more candle is lit in the menorah. This is the traditional story but there is something more to be aware of. But in the Jewish calendar, Hanukkah is of relatively minor religious significance compared with the biblical . 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. Upon his death, Alexander's empire was divided up by his four generals. 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. Did Jesus Celebrate Hanukkah? - Charisma Magazine Had God not preserved the Jewish people, Jesusthe Jewish Messiah and the Savior of all mankindmight never have been born. On each successive night, one more candle is added and lit. It is not one of the major feasts of the Lord that was given to Moses for the Jewish people to keep as part of their covenant with God. Copyright 2021, Oneplace.com. Moreover, it is during this festival that Yeshua identifies Himself as the Messiah and as God (John 10:25, 30). Jesus Celebrated Hanukkah. One day they arrived in the village of Modiin where an old priest, Mattityahu, lived. 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. While Hanukkah is not one of the appointed Jewish holy days (Leviticus 23, Numbers 29); it is mentioned in the Bible. They had become totally assimilated into the pagan culture around them. 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. We call the holiday Hanukkah (dedication), because the high point of our victory was rededicating the Temple in Jerusalem. In many ways, Hanukkah celebrations resemble those commemorating the birth of Jesus. This rebellion, led by the Maccabees, proved successful. Writing in the first century A.D., Jewish historian Josephus recorded the brutal plundering of Jerusalem and treatment of Jewish dissidents who were whipped with rods, and their bodies torn to pieces, and were crucified, while they were still alive, and breathed. I and My Father are one (v.30). What is more, He did it in a way that you never expected. Interestingly, there is a reference in apocryphal writings concerning a feast of the dedication of the altar raised up by Methuselah after Enoch's departure Sivan 6. Your gut health can affect the rest of your body. If You are theChrist, tell usplainly. John 10:22-24. How does the OS/360 link editor create a tree-structured overlay? Did Jesus Christ Celebrate Hanukkah? - Sound of Faith with - OnePlace Is it appropriate to ask for an hourly compensation for take-home interview tasks which exceed a certain time limit? God loves responding to those that take the time to dedicate and rededicate themselves to His ways, regardless of personal cost. But when the Jewish leaders wrongly rejected Jesus claims that day, they missed an even greater miracle than Israels against-all-odds victory over the overwhelming Syrian army. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. To learn more about CT Creative Studio, visit, Paid content for Jewish Voice Ministries International, Image: She teaches and writes about early Christian studies, the Jewish background of the New Testament, and incorporating Hebrew insights into study of the Bible. The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. The tradition about Jesus observing Hanukkah is merely one of these, but it is one that invites our attention at this season. rev2023.6.29.43520. Not an easy conundrum to solve, since the name is merely a transliteration of the holidays Hebrew name. Do Christians need to celebrate a Jewish military victory? But the earliest source we have of this term suggested something very different. Detected by studying rapidly spinning dead stars, these giant ripples of spacetime likely came from merging supermassive black holesand they may reveal clues about the nature of the universe. Its moving a concept into a reality, Jen says. John described it: an unction from the Holy One. Many legends surround this historic event, but the most famous is the miracle of the oil. It is said that when the Maccabees recaptured Jerusalem they immediately set out to rededicate the Temple. Jewish followers of Jesus see Hanukkah as a time to celebrate another gift of God to our people (and the whole world! How to professionally decline nightlife drinking with colleagues on international trip to Japan? She co-hosts Breakpoint This Week with The Colson Center for Christian Worldview and attends Cross City Church. She studied in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (religious studies), Tallinn Institute of Philosophy and History (Estonia), and Tartu University ( Estonia). Should Christians celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas? Led by Mattathias and his son Judas Maccabeus (died c. 161 bce), the Maccabees were the first Jews who fought to defend their religious beliefs rather than their lives. The thought of lighting this great candelabra only to see it go out again was heart-wrenching. 6:19-20). 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. Jesus Celebrated Hanukkah! The Temple needed to be cleansed and restored. Only as God come in the flesh is Jesus able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him.. "The Festival of Dedication then took place in Jerusalem. the anointing that we have received from him abides in us (1Jn. But the wiser question would be, is the actual name of the holiday the Festival of Lights or rather Feast of Dedication? The story doesn't appear in the. Rebeccas Leap of Faith. There are eight candles for each day of the holiday. In John 8, Jesus tells his followers that he is the "light of the world." When he spoke those words, his Jewish audience would have heard them like an alarm bell ringing. This year. Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. Horrified by the Temple desecration and cruelty toward the Jewish people, a priest named Mattathias and his sons rose up in rebellion. This content has been adapted from an earlier Jews for Jesus article. But in reality, He is very near, preparing us for multiplication. They missed the miracle of Immanuel, God with us. Dedicate yourself to God and His ways. The legend of the oil isnt mentioned until much later, in the Talmud. Bibliography; Blog for questions; One thing, Jesus was a jew when Hanukkah was made a festival so he definately celebrated Hanukkah. The Gospels offer countless examples affirming Jesus Jewish identity. 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. And its a time for joyous songs and prayers. In fact, when Christians gather to celebrate Christmas with candles and cookies and midnight carols, they are standing in the centuries-old glow of Hanukkah. Genesis Mysterious Giants: Who Were the Nephilim? And if there were any sacred book, or the law found, it was destroyed: and those with whom they were found miserably perished also.. 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. All rights reserved, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. [37] If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. Because God keeps His promises, He will save and sustain Israel. John's Gospel reports Jesus regularly traveling to Jerusalem for Jewish festivals, affirming his Jewish identity and continuity with his heritage. Jesus celebrated Hanukkah! - High Time to Awake Santa, reindeer, and decorated evergreens obscure the fact that Christmas is about the birth of the Jewish Messiah. All rights reserved. The Festival of Lights. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. For many people in the diaspora both Jews celebrating Hanukkah and Gentiles observing this celebration Hanukkah is all about dreidels and latkes. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. That invitation extends to everyone who believes in Jesus, Jewish or not. Israel was under the control of Seleucus and then under his son Antiochus Epiphanes. 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. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. For you are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are Gods (1Cor. The most famous person to ever celebrate this feast was Yeshua Ha NazriJesus of Nazareth. It only takes a minute to sign up. Hanukkah (occasionally spelled Chanukkah) is Hebrew for "dedication.". [35] If those to whom the word of God came were called godsand the scripture cannot be annulled [36] can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, I am Gods Son? Most people, Jews and Christians, have no idea that He did, or that it is in the New Testament. The Prince of the Power of the Air, Part 3, All Articles by Sharon Hardy Knotts and R. G. Hardy, All Sermons by Sharon Hardy Knotts and R. G. Hardy, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. His extended family was also observant (Luke 1:6). He placed idols in the house of the Lord and sacrificed a sow upon the holy altar. You know it by another name, (hint: its not Christmas!). Yeshua lived a Jewish life, which naturally included observing the holidays. Where did this holiday originate? We read in the Gospel of John (Chapter 10 : Verses 22-39) a strange account of Jesus going to the Temple not to celebrate Chanukah the Dedication of God's Temple - but instead celebrate Himself as God's Son : Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Most of what we know about his decree, its implementation, and the subsequent Jewish . He knew every law, prophecy, custom, and festival, including Hanukkah. Jesus power to preserve was not a temporal, physical power. Love at First Sight? The book of 1 Maccabees in the Apocrypha speaks of Jewish zealots who were passionate for the Torah. In his Gospel, John again tells us that Jesus was at Jerusalem for the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. Hanukkah is a demonstration of Gods faithfulness to the Jewish people. Here's how to prepare. [ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10&version=NRSV ]. He loves the passionate devotion of those that follow Him. Regardless what day of the week it falls on, Hanukkah simply calls for a celebration. The Talmud tells us that the large golden menorah with 7 lamps was found and returned to its place. Jesus talked to them about eternal life and not being snatched from the Fathers hand. Jesus parents were certainly Jewish as they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord (Luke 2:39). It occurred less than 200 years before the life of Yeshua, between the time of Malachi and John the Baptist. Often it is positioned higher than the rest. The Jewish people were then living under the oppression of King Antiochus IV and Hellenistic pagan practices. Some nonreligious customs of celebration are eating treats fried in oil (which recalls the miracle of the oil), giving children gifts of money (Hanukkah gelt), and playing a game with a four-sided top called a dreidel. 3:16-17). 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.