Chanukah, also called the Feast of Dedication, is a celebration of God’s faithfulness and deliverance. The events the holiday commemorates took place during the intertestamental period, in approximately 165 BC.
Although not a mo’ed, one of the biblically commanded feasts or appointed times mentioned in Leviticus 23, Chanukah celebrates a very important deliverance of God. In John 10, Yeshua is noted having been in Jerusalem in the Temple for the Feast of Dedication—Chanukah, which is appropriate, as this event was essential for Messiah to come. The Temple and the priesthood had to be restored to Israel for the dramatic redemption story to have taken place.
As with all Jewish holidays, the customs tell a story and teach the next generation about the faithfulness of the God of Israel, fulfilling Deuteronomy 6.
The overriding themes of this holiday are the victory of light over darkness, the faithfulness of God to those who refuse to compromise, and dedication, which is what the Hebrew word Chanukah means.
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Have you ever wanted to learn more about Chanukah? Our informative infographic will give you fascinating insight into the history and meaning of this Jewish holiday.
Two foods have become synonymous with Chanukah: Latkes, or potato pancakes, and Sufganiyot, jelly-filled doughnuts. The doughnuts are more popular in Israel—in America and Europe, potato pancakes are more common. These foods are fried in large quantities of oil—an extravagance in times and places of privation. With this element we recount the story for our children of the brave Maccabees who had to trust God to extend one day’s sanctified oil to burn for eight when they recaptured the Temple in Jerusalem. It was not enough to expel the pagan ruler, Antiochus Epiphanes, and his hordes. The Temple of God was defiled and needed to be cleansed and dedicated anew for God to inhabit.
Each evening as the sun sets, we light the chanukiah, the nine-branched candelabrum, in memory of this miracle of provision. We use the ninth candle called the shamash, or servant candle, to light the rest, adding one more each night until on the eighth night the entire chanukiah is ablaze. What a picture of Yeshua, the Light of the World. “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4).
Traditional Chanukah Blessing
A traditional blessing accompanies the chanukiah lighting: "Baruch atah ADONAI, Eloheynu Melech ha-olam. a-sher kid-shah-noo, b’mitz-vatov, vitzee-vah-noo. L’had-leek ner shel Chanukah."
Blessed are You, Lord our God. You have sanctified us by your Commandments and blessed us to kindle the lights of Chanukah.”
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This original design is unique to Jewish Voice Ministries with our Star of David with wheat stalk logo revealing our call to see a great harvest of many souls come to the Light of the World Yeshua.
