what is Hanukkah?

[Debbi]

What is Hanukkah? When is it celebrated this year? Do you get gifts and why does it come at different days in Dec.? What do Jews usually do at Hanukkah?

 

[iitb]

I don't know a whole lot about it, but I can offer a link!

http://jewfaq.org/holiday7.htm

Interesting fact: If Y'shua was born during Sukkot, as most evidence suggests, the he would've been conceived during Hanukkah. One of the main themes of Hanukkah is light...I'm sure you can make the connections here

 

[Debbi]

I thought Hanukkah had something to do with oil and light in a temple and it was along time before Jesus.

 

[Achichem]

I thought Hanukkah had something to do with oil and light in a temple and it was along time before Jesus.

Links are good for clicking,
What is Hanukkah?
A celebration of the reclaiming of the temple and independence from foreign rule, after three year of pagan abomination, and many year of rule.

See the apocrypha Maccabees 1,2 & 3…

Also a miracle took place on that day on the reclaiming, which was…

Only one defiled container of oil could be found to use in the golden lamp stand, yet it kept burning for 8 days which was enough time to produce more oil.


When is it celebrated this year?
Begins Dec 20

Do you get gifts and why does it come at different days in Dec.?
I do not know I have never kept it, but I believe you get one gift a day.
The jewish calendar is not the Gregorian calendar.

What do Jews usually do at Hanukkah?
Read the site if you want to know.

I thought Hanukkah had something to do with oil and light in a temple and it was along time before Jesus.
It was, but that doesn't mean the messiah, does not have His place.

Shalom,
Datsar

 

[Henaynei]

Links are good for clicking,

I couldn't have said it better myself!!

What is Hanukkah?
A celebration of the reclaiming of the temple and independence from foreign rule, after three year of pagan abomination, and many year of rule.

See the apocrypha Maccabees 1,2 & 3…

Also a miracle took place on that day on the reclaiming, which was…

Only one defiled container of oil could be found to use in the golden lamp stand, yet it kept burning for 8 days which was enough time to produce more oil.

It really is quite simple to do your own very easy research on the web. Just type any of the spellings of Hanukah, Hanukkah, Chanukkah, Channukah, Khanukah, or any derivation thereof, and you will discover a feast of information.

Do you get gifts and why does it come at different days in Dec.?
I do not know I have never kept it, but I believe you get one gift a day.
The jewish calendar is not the Gregorian calendar.

Originally, gifts were given BY THE CHILDREN to their teachers (become familiar with the story of Khanukah and you will understand why). As Judaism had become acculturated and assimilated, particularly in the US, the gift giving has switched from being from the children to being to the children. This is due to its annual calendaric association with the non-Jewish holiday of X-mas and its accompanying commercialization, retailer's hype and promotion.

 

[Debbi]

What, can't you say Christmas? Are Messianic Jews allowed to say "Christmas"? Jesus is the reason for the season. Even if in all likely he was born probably in October. Hanukkah is also referred to as the Jew's Christmas. Yeah, I read the site listed, just didn't know if any on board wanted to talk about Hanukkah is all. What is your highest holy day anyhow? Passover or Day of Atonement or Jewish New Year?

 

[Henaynei]

What, can't you say Christmas? Are Messianic Jews allowed to say "Christmas"? Jesus is the reason for the season.

Dear Debbi,



I am allowed to say anything I choose. I choose to not say christmas.



I do not recognize it as a g-dly or scriptural celebration, nor do I recognize any real possibility that Messiah is the “reason for the season.” (This is admittedly my personal view. Use extreme caution in ascribing the views of one person to a whole movement.)



That should not, however, prevent you from continuing any practice you feel honors your G-d.

Even if in all likely he was born probably in October. Hanukkah is also referred to as the Jew's Christmas.

Khankkah is only known as the “Jewish christmas” by those who are not Jewish or Jews who only keep a minimal Judaic practice. Khanukkah is in NO WAY related to x-mas. As I mentioned above the association of Khanukkah with x-mas is strictly coincidental.

Yeah, I read the site listed, just didn't know if any on board wanted to talk about Hanukkah is all.

Possibly you'd get more interaction by asking specific questions that have sprung up during your reading and study of Khanukkah.


Continue to pursue your quest for knowledge of the feasts and festivals of Judaism. I think you have a real heart for this study.

What is your highest holy day anyhow? Passover or Day of Atonement or Jewish New Year?

Shabbat is the Holiest day of the Jewish holy calendar. First, foremost and forever.



Yom Kippur is part of the season known as the High Holy Days, which are called such as they are the most intense fast/festival period of the year and make the end and beginning of both the Jewish year and the Torah reading cycle.



Shalom Achoti (Peace sister)

Henaynei

 

[Achichem]

I do not think X-mas is the epitimy of pagan rituals and traditions, and since The LORD tells me not to worship him like the pagan worship their gods, I actually find it offensive that you add a holy name to such practice.
Of course, It is sacred to you, and you believe that there is nothing wrong with such practice, so I have my reasons to not, you have your reasons to.
May Our G-d lead us to want is best for him.

What is your highest holy day anyhow? Passover or Day of Atonement or Jewish New Year?

Well if you mean biggest, for me and my church, that would be sukkot (the feast of tabernacles).
The celebration of "God living with us", Boy that is fun.

I would agree with Henaynei that the most important is Shabbat.

Day of Atonement;
With it’s fasting, the parties usually don’t start to after, however this is a wonderful feast for reflection and correction.

Passover
Is a wonderful time to force on Yeshua’s Life, and certainly is a rejoysing time, I am still always one for an end more then a beginning.
There all so great….

My favorite would likely be Trumpets, as The sound is so sweet…If you know what I mean.

 

[Debbi]

I celebrate Christ's birth, that is in Matthew and in Luke. I don't believe in the Santa Clause bit and all the commercialism that starts in mid Sept and runs through Jan. 2. I accept the giving gifts and being with family and church family and the giving love. That part is special to remember that Christ did come to save sinners. He was born in Bethlehem and about Mary, his mother and the shepherds came. I'm sure you've heard the message of Christ's coming. Most precious is he is Emanuel-God with us. The pagin and traditional stuff, no it isn't a part of what Christmas means. But then as far as Jewish holidays go, Passover was when the death angel passed over the homes in Egypt and Moses led God's people out of Egypt. I had forgotten about Passover and wondered why The Ten Commandments were on t.v. on Easter night.

 

[GreenEyedLady]

From what I understood from the website you listed, Chanukkah is not biblical, just historical right?
I find it interesting that Henayei said that it has also become commercialized. My friend and I used to debate over the Christmas and the Chanukkah thing. I wonder if she realizes that she is actually just replacing Christmas with the Chanukkah, as she used to celebrate Christmas. (instead of giving her chirldren gifts on Christmas, she does it on Chanakkah even though that was not part of the plan) I do Christmas she does Chanukkah. I don't do nor teach my kids about Santa. Why start your kids life out on a lie anyway?
I think what matters most is the belivers heart in the days that some concider sacred and others do not.

 

[OnederWoman]

Hanukkah aka the Feast of Dedication aka the Festival of lights is mentioned in the New Testament (just not the old).

John 10:22Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade.

 

[Henaynei]

From what I understood from the website you listed, Chanukkah is not biblical, just historical right?

You are right, to a degree. Because the site cited was likely Jewish they probably did not include the fact that the Writings of the Apostles (a.k.a. New Testament) do mention the “Festival of Dedication” and that Yeshua went to the Temple on that Festival. It is noteworthy that Yeshua, while at the Temple during the Festival of Lights, never denounces it but rather supports it by saying that He is the true light. It is interesting that since He was probably born during the Feast of Tabernacles (a.k.a. Sukkot) He was also likely conceived during Khanukkah.

Yochanan 1: 4 "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."

There is also a passage in one of the prophets that refers to the festival on the 25th day of the 3rd month – which is Khanukkah.

I find it interesting that Henaynei said that it has also become commercialized. My friend and I used to debate over the Christmas and the Chanukkah thing. I wonder if she realizes that she is actually just replacing Christmas with the Chanukkah, as she used to celebrate Christmas. (Instead of giving her children gifts on Christmas, she does it on Chanukkah even though that was not part of the plan) I do Christmas she does Chanukkah.

Dear GreenEyedLady,
I do NOT give my children or grandchildren presents during Khanukkah. Rather I give small gifts of Khanukkah gelt to the teachers at the school where I work and to my in-laws as they have all taught me something during the year. The mitzvah of Khanukkah was/is/should be giving gifts to honor the teachers in our life as a memorial to the teachers that risked and gave their lives to teach Torah to our children during that awful time of Antiochus Euphonies and the Syrian occupation.

I quit celebrating the rites of both x-mas and Isht__ (a.k.a. Easter) long before I had ever heard of Messianic Judaism. G-d went before and changed my heart and understanding years before He brought me to my first MJ service some 15 years ago.

I don't do nor teach my kids about Santa. Why start your kids life out on a lie anyway?

I totally agree with you there and even the two years that I kept x-mas after my son was born I refused to foster the myth of Santa.

I think what matters most is the believers heart in the days that some consider sacred and others do not.

What matters most is not what any person, religion, people or denomination considers sacred, for pagans and worshipers of demons consider many things “sacred” that are abominations and spiritual corruption. What truly matters is what does G-d call sacred and what do we do with those sacred times?

 

[GreenEyedLady]

Right. God never said Christmas or any other holiday was sacred. He never claimed either holidays that we are discussing. If one is convicted not to celebrate the holidays then they should not. For the Holy Spirit gives conviction. I do not judge anyone over what days they concider sacred and what days they don't. There are certain days that the Lord has convicted me not to particpate in. If you think something is unclean, then to you it is unclean. We should not judge each other over it. Not that you were or anything. I am very intrested in this topic! Thanks for posting back to me!



I forgot all about that NT verse! Now I remember! But it doesn't say that Jesus participated in any way during the feast. They tried to stone him actually and then he left. I think saying that he supported the feast is a little far fetched.





Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

 

[Peter]

Question. A Jew who does not believe that Jesus is the Messiah has no ties to the NT. And seeing as how the Feast of Dedication is found in the books the Council of Jamnia rejected, on what basis do non-Christian Jews have for keeping Hannukah outside of tradition?

Peace.

Peter

 

[Henaynei]

Right. God never said Christmas or any other holiday was sacred.

Wrong - G-d has said numerous that about 7 "holidays" are sacred and are "holy convocations" unto Him forever. Read Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

While it is quite true that Khanukkah is not one of *these* holidays, saying "G-d never said .....any other holiday was sacred" is patently untrue.

 

[Henaynei]

Question. A Jew who does not believe that Jesus is the Messiah has no ties to the NT. And seeing as how the Feast of Dedication is found in the books the Council of Jamnia rejected, on what basis do non-Christian Jews have for keeping Hannukah outside of tradition?

Peace.

Peter

I & II Macabees & Josephus' Antiquities - not holy writ - but accepted as historical in many circles. Aslo some verses in the prophets - Haggai I believe.

 

[Debbi]

If you wouldn't hung up on labels, what is wrong with celebrating Christ's birth? Or for that matter, when Christ rose from the dead? Why don't christians celebrate Hanukkah or Passover either. Who said that christians aren't suppose to celebrate any Jewish celebrations? Actually in Zechariah 14:16, one day we all will celebrate the feast of tabernacles. How do you celebrate that holiday and when does it come? I heard in Isaiah or one of the books of prophets, the people were told not to burn logs to heathern gods or something, that is where people got the idea of yule logs isn't it? Alot of traditions are just a part of life and most people don't even think where they originated.

 

[GreenEyedLady]

You have a point Debbi. Even wedding rings have a pagan origin...........oooops!
GEL

 

[BenTsion]

Debbi,
Shalom!
Please don't get Messianic Jews wrong. Let me begin by saying that it's no prob. for you to celebrate Xmas, giving honor to G-d for the birth of Messiah.

The problem is that Messianic Judaism is mainly a movement of RESTORATION. We tend to think of ourselves as the church of Yerushalaim (Jerusalem),
the one that was persecuted, trampled over and replaced by the church of Rome. Therefore, one of the things we do is that we try to rid ourselves of anything that has any pagan root.

Xmas was just one of the many pagan rituals/holidays/festivals that were incorporated into the church. It used to be the Winter Solstice - much of its ritualic meaning already existed, and the church simply incorporated it and declared it to be Messiah's birth.

On one hand, Messianics have a problem celebrating Messiah's birth (such a HOLY day) on top of a pagan celebration. On the other hand, we acknowledge that Christians have the right to do so, if they will (though we respectfully disagree).

Anyway, Christmas nowadays bears very little resemblance to a religious feast of any kind. I hate how commercial it has become. Rather than thinking 'how they're going to celebrate Messiah's birth', people tend to worry about whether they're gonna have enough money to buy presents for everyone in the family.

In Yeshua,
Ben Tsion

 

[GreenEyedLady]

Ben you make some good points about Christmas. If you look at Christmas from a worldly perspective, your right in saying that it bears little resemblence to a religious feast. There are many many Christians today who are and have been making Christmas into what it should have been all about in the first place. JESUS the light of the world. The Holy One! Praise the Lord for his perfect work!
GEL