Why we should celebrate Hanukkah (Chanukah)

We should probably start with the question of what in the world is Hanukkah anyway?

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish winter festival often called the "Festival of Lights." It is celebrated with the nightly lighting of the menorah, special prayers, and traditional fried foods.

The name Chanukah means "dedication" in Hebrew, commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, as detailed in the story of this holiday. While often spelled Hanukkah or other variations, the Hebrew pronunciation features a guttural "kh" sound: kha-nu-kah, rather than tcha-new-kah.

Chanukah begins on the evening of Kislev 25 on the Hebrew calendar and lasts for eight days. On the civil calendar, it typically falls in the month of December. In 2024, Chanukah will be observed from the evening of December 25 through January 2.

In the next few years it will change on the civil (Gregorian) calendar as follows:

2025: December 14-22
2026: December 4-12
2027: December 24, 2027- January 1, 2028
2028: December 12-20

The Meaning and Observance of Hanukkah (Chanukah)

Hanukkah (Chanukah), also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish celebration commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple after its desecration by the Seleucid Greeks in the second century BCE. This joyous holiday is marked by nightly menorah lightings, special prayers, and traditional foods, and it holds profound historical and spiritual significance.

Historical Background

During the second century BCE, the Holy Land was under the control of the Seleucid Empire, which sought to impose Greek culture and suppress Jewish religious practices. In defiance of this oppression, a small group of Jewish fighters, led by Judah the Maccabee, rose against one of the most powerful armies of the time. Against all odds, they reclaimed Jerusalem, purified the Holy Temple, and rededicated it to the service of God.

When the Maccabees sought to rekindle the Temple’s menorah, they found only a single cruse of pure olive oil—enough to last one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, allowing time to prepare a fresh supply under the conditions of ritual purity. To commemorate these miracles, the sages established Hanukkah (Chanukah) as a yearly festival of praise and thanksgiving.

Observances

The heart of Hanukkah (Chanukah) observance is the nightly lighting of the menorah. This special menorah has nine branches: eight for each day of Hanukkah (Chanukah) and one for the shamash (attendant), used to light the others. Each evening, an additional flame is kindled until all eight are lit on the final night.

Shabbat Observance: On Friday evenings, the menorah is lit before the Shabbat candles, and on Saturday evenings, it is lit after Shabbat ends.
Placement: Menorahs are displayed prominently in homes, windows, or doorways to publicize the miracle. Public menorah lightings have become common in synagogues, parks, and city centers worldwide.

Special blessings are recited before lighting the menorah, followed by traditional songs. Daily prayers include the Hallel and the addition of V’Al HaNissim, offering thanks to God for delivering the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few, and the wicked into the hands of the righteous.

Lessons from the Hanukkah (Chanukah) Lights

The Hanukkah (Chanukah) candles remind us of timeless spiritual truths:

Stand for what’s right: Judah Maccabee and his followers, though outnumbered, stood firm in their faith, and their courage inspires us to do the same.
Increase goodness daily: Each additional candle represents the need to continually grow in light and righteousness.
A little light dispels much darkness: Even one small flame can illuminate the darkest night, symbolizing the transformative power of God’s light.
Shine outward: The menorah's placement teaches us to share our faith and values with the world around us.
Pride in mitzvah observance: The menorah boldly proclaims Jewish identity and dedication, reminding us never to hide our faith.

Hanukkah (Chanukah) in the Netzarim Tradition

Yeshua and Hanukkah (Chanukah)

The Gospel of John specifically mentions Yeshua observing Hanukkah (Chanukah):

"Now the Feast of Chanukah was held in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Yeshua was walking in the Temple, in the porch of Solomon." (John 10:22-23, HRV)

This passage indicates that Yeshua risked His safety to attend Hanukkah (Chanukah) in Jerusalem, despite earlier avoiding Judea due to threats against His life (John 7:1-10). Yeshua’s presence at the Temple during this feast underscores its importance, affirming that even non-Torah-commanded observances like Hanukkah (Chanukah) hold spiritual significance.

As followers of Yeshua, we are called to live as He lived: "He who says, ‘I am in Him,’ ought to conduct himself according to His conduct." (1 John 2:6, HRV)

Scriptural Mandate for Observing Hanukkah (Chanukah)

The Book of Maccabees details the establishment of Hanukkah (Chanukah) by the Maccabees and the Jewish council:

"Moreover Judas and his brethren, with the whole congregation of Israel, ordained that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Kislev, with mirth and gladness." (1 Maccabees 4:59, KJV)

The festival is further affirmed in 2 Maccabees:

"And now see that ye keep the feast of tabernacles in the month Kislev... upon the five and twentieth day of the same month, which is Kislev." (2 Maccabees 1:9, 10:6, KJV)

Though not included in all modern Bibles, the books of Maccabees were part of the original biblical canon used by early Christians and attest to Hanukkah (Chanukah)’s divine institution.

Halachic Authority of Hanukkah (Chanukah)

The Torah commands adherence to rulings issued by the judicial authorities of Israel (Deuteronomy 17:9-11). The Jerusalem Council during the time of the Maccabees, like the council in Acts 15, exercised this authority in establishing Hanukkah (Chanukah) as a national observance.

The Talmud also recounts the miracle of the oil:

"On the 25th of Kislev begin the days of Hanukkah (Chanukah), which are eight, during which lamentation for the dead and fasting are forbidden. For when the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all the oils in it. When the Hasmoneans defeated them, they found one cruse of oil, sealed by the High Priest, with enough for one day. A miracle occurred, and it lasted eight days." (b.Shabbat 21b)

A Call to Remember

The story of Hanukkah (Chanukah) reminds us to stand firm in our faith, defend righteousness, and bring light into a dark world. As the Netzarim, we are uniquely called to honor this observance, recognizing its deep roots in Jewish history and its affirmation by Yeshua Himself.

Join us in celebrating the rededication of the Temple, the miracles of God, and the enduring light of His truth. Together, let us kindle the flames of faith and proclaim His goodness to the world.

Shalom, Rabbi Raphael