Chanukkah is a solemn yet joyous time to remember the victory of the Jews over the Syrians, and all of the People of God over assimilation into society.
Chanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev and continues for eight days with candles being lit corresponding to the number of days of the holiday.
The history of Chanukkah began at the end of the Babylonian exile, the period between 586 and 538 B.C.E. when the people of the Kingdom of Judah were in captivity in Babylonia. Many significant events in Israel's history occurred during those four hundred centuries -- the development of the synagogue, the rise of the Sadducees and the Pharisees, and the Roman period of domination. During a period of Greco-Syrian oppression and immorality the Temple was infiltrated, gates and porches mutilated, treasures stolen, and blatent acts of defilement were performed.
In 164 B.C.E., the Hasmoneans (lead by Y'hudah Maccabee) defeated the Syrians, regained control of the Holy Temple, and began the task of purifying it. The altar which had been grossly defiled was torn down and rebuilt, and new holy vessels were crafted.
A date for the rededication of the Temple was set - the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which occurs approximately in the modern (Roman-Gregorian) month of December (usually around the first week).
Tradition says that when it came time to rededicate the Temple, only one sealed flask of sanctified oil was found with which to light the great Menorah. Oil enough for one day, although it would take eight days to purify and sanctify more oil. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight straight days.
Whether this story is based on factual history, or simply derived from tradition, is not known for certain. Regardless of which is true, accurate historical records give us certainty that they rededicated the Temple over those eight days. So we celebrate Chanukkah for eight days and use a special
menorah (called a Chanukkiah/Hanukkiah) which has eight lights plus the shamash, or servant light.
Chanukkah is mentioned in the B'rit Chadash (New Testament) in Yochanan (John) 10:22-23 as the Feast of Dedication. Yeshua walked in the Temple and was approached by the Judeans who asked if He was the Messiah.
It is appropriate to place the Chanukkiah (9 branched Menorah) in front of a window so that the flames are visible to passers-by. In addition to the main 8 lights, each Chanukkiah has a center servant candle called the "Shamash." It is used to light the other lights. This servant light is representative of the Messiah helping us to increase our commitment to our faith.
Each night, as we increase by one the number of candles kindled, we symbolically increase our commitment to reflect the spiritual light of Yeshua (Jesus) to the world.
The Chanukkiah is lit immediately at nightfall. It often remains lit for at least 30 minutes after nightfall, during which time no use should be made of its light (so as to keep this practice special in meaning). The candles usually burn themselves out and are not extinguished. The first two blessings are said with the Shamash already lit, but immediately prior to lighting the Chanukkah candles.
BLESSING #1:
Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvohtav, asher natan lanu cha-gim, min-ha-gim, oo-mo-ah-dim l'sim-cha, l'hag-deel et da-at Adonai, v'liv-not oh-tah-nu b'emunah ki-do-shah v'na-ah-lah.
Blessed are You, the Lord our G-d, King of the universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments, Who has given us holidays, customs, and times of happiness, to increase the knowledge of God and to build us up in our most holy faith.
BLESSING #2:
Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, Shi'asah ni'seem l'avo-seinu, Baya'meem ha'haim bazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, the Lord our G-d, King of the universe, Who made miracles for our forefathers, in those days at this season.
BLESSING #3:
(This blessing is said on the first night only)
Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, Sheh he'cheyanu v'kee-yimanu V'hee geeyanu lazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, the Lord our G-d, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
THIS PARAGRAPH IS SAID EACH NIGHT, AFTER THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN KINDLED:
Anerot ha'lalu anachnu madlikin al ha'nissim v'al haniflaot al hatshuot v'al ha'milchamot she'asita la'avoteinu ba'yamim haheim, ba'zman hazeh. V'chol shmonat yemey Chanukkah hanerot halalu kodesh heim ein lanu reshut l'heesh tamesh bahem, ela leer-otam bilvad kedai le'hodot ul'hallel l'shimcha Al ni'secha, V'al niflo-techa, v'Yeshua.
We kindle these lights for the miracles and the wonders, for the redemption and the battles which You performed for our forefathers in those days at this season. During all eight days of Chanukkah these lights are sacred and we are not permitted to make ordinary use of them, but only to look at them in order to express thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, Your wonders, and Yeshua (Jesus).
Torah - B'Midbar (Numbers) 7:1-17
Haftarah - Z'kharYah (Zechariah) 2:14-4:4, Maccabees 4:36-61 (from the apocrypha - not considered Scripture)
B'rit Chadashah - Revelation 1:9-20; 11:1-12
We also recommend reading and discussing Yochanan (John) 10:22-39, as well as Mark 10:44-45 regarding Yeshua the Servant (Shamash) and Ransom for many.
In addition to candle lighting ceremonies (many different ones out there to choice from), many people sing songs, enjoy certain special foods - especially fried foods. A traditional food for this celebration is called latkes - fried potato cakes.
Children play games - a traditional Jewish game involving a top called a dreidel
is popular. Some families exchange gifts. For all it is a time to enjoy family time together.
Although Chanukkah as a Holy Day is not described in Scripture, it still is the most historically documented of all the Jewish holidays. The books of 1 & 2 Macabees are the earliest historical record of Chanukkah. The books of Macabees are from the Old Testament Apocrypha. The Apocrypha are non-Inspired Jewish writings considered valuable historical record and NOT the Word of God. Still, Scripture does have numerous examples of an eight-day period being the pattern of dedication. Often a seven day period would be used to set aside (sanctify) an object, and then on the eighth day it was holy to the Lord. First born animals (Ex.22:30; Lev. 22:27) fall into this category, as well as the original altar in the Temple (Ex. 29:37). Israelite male babies were dedicated on the eight day via circumcision (Lev.12:3). The future alter of the millennial Temple will be consecrated on the eighth day (Ezek. 43:26-27). There are other examples of the eight day dedications in Scripture. Included in these others, is when King Hezekiah came to the throne and cleansed the Temple and rededicated it to the Lord after eight days (2 Chr. 29:16-17).
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