Chanukah – Festival of Lights
Chanukah (Hanukkah) 2024 starts at nightfall on December 25, 2024 and ends with nightfall on January 2, 2025, beginning on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, and lasting for eight days, beginning on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, and lasting for eight days.
Hag Sameach! Happy Holidays! Chanukah is a joyous celebration commemorating the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian army in 165 b.c. When the Temple in Jerusalem was reclaimed and the Jewish people set about to cleanse it, they found a cruse of kosher oil used to keep the Eternal Light burning. It was only enough oil for 1 day, but miraculously it burned 8 days until new kosher oil had been made! The Temple was rededicated on the 25th of Kislev and it was decreed that every year they should celebrate the miracle of the oil for 8 days, hence “Chanukah” (which means rededication) was inaugurated (for complete history click here)!
*We, Jewish people, good at keeping traditions have now been celebrating Chanukah for over 2000 years, but when it was only about 200 years old, we read that Y’shua (Jesus) celebrated Chanukah (called the Feast of Dedication) in Yohanan (John) 10:22-23.
*It is interesting to note that each day has a meaning and each meaning has more relevancy when seen as a picture of Y’shua, Himself. He is best represented by the Shamash candle, pure and white which stoops down to light all the others. Y’shua stooped down from Heaven to bring the light to us. That’s why Yohanan quoted Y’shua (in chapter 8 verse 12) as saying that He is the Light of the World and those that believe in Him will not walk in darkness but have the light spoken of by Yeshaya (Isaiah 9:2; 60:1).
*We encourage you to follow the link through each of the 8 days and see this miracle unfold as it reveals the truth about “The Light.” May it warm your soul as it illuminates your spirit!
Day 1
Sundown on Thursday, Dec. 7th 2023
The following blessing is recited when the Menorah is lit:
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haolam, asher kidshanu b’mitsvotav, v’tsivanu, l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by Your Mitzvot and enjoined us to kindle the Chanukah lights.)
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haoalm, she-asa nisim la-a-vo-tenu, ba-ya-mim ha-hem bazman haze. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.)
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haolam, she-he-che-yanu v’ki-y’manu, v’higianu lazman haze. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our god, King of the universe, who has given us life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.) (This last verse recited only on the first night.)
Light or Life
Depending on which rabbi you are listening to, Day 1 stands for light or life. Either speaks of Y’shua.
Light causes us to reflect” upon the words of Melech (King) David, who stated in Tehillim (Psalm) 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Our prophet, Yeshaya (Isaiah), stated: “Come house of Ya’acov (Jacob), and let us walk in the light of the Lord.”
As we already mentioned Y’shua, Jesus, claimed to be that light in Yohanan (John) 8:12, but also earlier in his book, Yohanan declared: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (chapter 1, verses 4-5) Y’shua, Jesus, dispels all darkness and brings us Life, the alternative meaning to this day.
Life is precious and should be appreciated as the gift from God that it is. God’s Son, Y’shua, Jesus, also gave us life and gives it more abundantly, according to Yohanan (chapter 10, the end of verse 10). Furthermore, Y’shua, Jesus, declared in Yohanan 11:25-26: “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me, shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me, shall never die.” Y’shua, Jesus, came that we might have light and life; represented well by the Shamash (servant) candle bringing light and life to the other candles.
Day 2
Sundown on Friday, Dec. 8th, 2023
The following blessing is recited when the Menorah is lit:
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haolam, asher kidshanu b’mitsvotav, v’tsivanu, l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by Your Mitzvot and enjoined us to kindle the Chanukah lights.)
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haoalm, she-asa nisim la-a-vo-tenu, ba-ya-mim ha-hem bazman haze. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.)
Day 2 stands for Reason which separates humankind from all other creatures. The fact that God, our Creator, has given us the ability to reason with our minds, should be a guiding light that brings us to our Maker. Yeshaya (Isaiah) 1:18 states, “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.”
What an invitation! To bring to the Lord all our short-comings, all our faults, all our own ways and reasonings (rather than following God’s way for us) and be given complete forgiveness, a clean slate; to exchange the filth of our “righteous” works (“…and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment”(Yeshaya (Isaiah) 64:6 ) for His purity, His cleanliness; to be allowed one day to come into God’s presence wrapped in the garment of Messiah’s righteousness, oh! what a gift! Indeed –the greatest gift man can ever be given.
May we come to Elohim (God) our Maker and allow Him to not only forgive us but also from that point forward to be our reasoning guide that we might walk through life in the Light of His Word
Day 3
Sundown on Saturday, Dec. 9th, 2023
The following blessing is recited when the Menorah is lit:
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haolam, asher kidshanu b’mitsvotav, v’tsivanu, l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by Your Mitzvot and enjoined us to kindle the Chanukah lights.)
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haoalm, she-asa nisim la-a-vo-tenu, ba-ya-mim ha-hem bazman haze. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.)
TRUTH:
Day 3 stands for truth without which we would stumble around in darkness. Instead truth brings freedom, nourishes happiness, opens one’s eyes and points the way to fulfillment; above all truth sets one free. Yohanan (John) stated in his book: “and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (Yohanan (John) 8:32).”
The truth that will set you free is found in Yohanan’s book, chapter 14, verse 6 where Y’shua (Jesus) declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes unto the Father, but through Me.”
The truth will definitely bring one into the Light that is the Life of man. A fulfilling life both now and for all of Eternity can be had when we come into the Abba’s (Father’s) presence through His Divine and Holy Son, Y’shua (Jesus).
Day 4
Sundown on Sunday, Dec. 10th, 2023
The following blessing is recited when the Menorah is lit:
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haolam, asher kidshanu b’mitsvotav, v’tsivanu, l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by Your Mitzvot and enjoined us to kindle the Chanukah lights.)
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haoalm, she-asa nisim la-a-vo-tenu, ba-ya-mim ha-hem bazman haze. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.)
BEAUTY
Day 4 reminds us of the ability Elohim (God) has given us to appreciate the beauty all around us that He created for us. Realizing what He has done for us should spark something from within that causes us to seek Him and His beauty. This certainly was the heart-cry of Melech (King) David, recorded in Tehillim (Psalm) 27:4: “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord…”
Eternal Life in the presence of Elohim (God) is promised to those who come through His Son, Y’shua (Jesus), who is The Way, The Truth, The Life (see Days 3 and 1 respectively). To sum up the days to this point, we can come into that abundant life (day 1) through using our minds (day 2) to reason the truth (day 3), so that we can appreciate the beauty (day 4) of Elohim (God) and allow His beauty to be upon us (Tehillim (Psalm) 90:17 “And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us…”) turning even our ashes into something beautiful as Yeshaya (Isaiah) stated: “To appoint unto those who mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes…” ( Yeshaya (Isaiah) 61:3a). To enjoy this beauty…forever…in the presence of our Creator, promised to all who come to Him through His Son…nothing could be more beautiful!
Day 5
Sundown on Monday, Dec. 11th, 2023
The following blessing is recited when the Menorah is lit:
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haolam, asher kidshanu b’mitsvotav, v’tsivanu, l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by Your Mitzvot and enjoined us to kindle the Chanukah lights.)
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haoalm, she-asa nisim la-a-vo-tenu, ba-ya-mim ha-hem bazman haze. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.)
LOVE
Day 5 is said to be the warmest light as it is the richest reward of life. To love and to be loved is the greatest gift and we see this perfectly exemplified in the life-giving atoning work of God’s Son, our Meshiach (Messiah) and Savior.
In Vayikra (Leviticus) 17:11we are told: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul.” In the New Covenant we read of Y’shua (Jesus) freely laying His life down (and in the power of Elohim (God) taking it up again three days later, conquering sin and its’ penalty, death, for all mankind). In Yohanan’s (John’s) Book we read (chapter 15, verse 13): “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” Later, he wrote in his book entitled, I Yohanan (John) 4:9-10: “By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (atonement) for our sins.”
No greater gift…no greater love…bask in the warmth of God’s love by accepting His Son’s atoning work for you!
THE GREATEST GIFT
GOD
the greatest Lover
SO LOVED
the greatest degree
THE WORLD
the greatest number
THAT HE GAVE
the greatest act
HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON
the greatest gift
THAT WHOSOEVER
the greatest invitation
BELIEVETH
the greatest simplicity
IN HIM
the greatest Person
SHOULD NOT PERISH
the greatest deliverance
BUT
the greatest difference
HAVE
the greatest certainty
EVERLASTING LIFE
the greatest possession
(Yohanan (John) 3:16)
Day 6
Sundown on Tuesday, Dec.12th, 2023
The following blessing is recited when the Menorah is lit:
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haolam, asher kidshanu b’mitsvotav, v’tsivanu, l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by Your Mitzvot and enjoined us to kindle the Chanukah lights.)
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haoalm, she-asa nisim la-a-vo-tenu, ba-ya-mim ha-hem bazman haze. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.)
JUSTICE
Day 6 speaks of Justice, reminding us of that infamous quote: “justice, justice shalt thou pursue.” We are told to “do justice to the afflicted and needy” by Melech (King) David’s (Tehillim (Psalm 82:3). Justice is truth in action and truth is Y’shua according to Yohanan (John 14:6): “Y’shua (Jesus) said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life…” (see days 3 and 1 respectively).
If we exemplify as Y’shua (Jesus) did and does, we will truly treat all with justice. During His days upon this earth, He brought truth and justice to all who came to Him, dealing kindly toward all, showing forth God’s love (Day 5).
Ultimately, He brings all the gift of justice in replacement of our sins, when we come to Abba (Father) through His atoning blood shed on the cross. A Holy God demands justice for the unjust acts of mankind. The solution is forgiveness through Y’shua’s “just” and life-giving act when He atoned for our sins by paying the penalty that we might go free. Yeshaya (Isaiah) 53:6 declares, “All of us like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has laid on Him (Y’shua) the iniquity (sins) of us all.” “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Messiah (Christ) Y’shua (Jesus) our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Come to Elohim through Y’shua and be given justice.
Day 7
Sundown on Wednesday, Dec. 13th, 2023
The following blessing is recited when the Menorah is lit:
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haolam, asher kidshanu b’mitsvotav, v’tsivanu, l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by Your Mitzvot and enjoined us to kindle the Chanukah lights.)
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haoalm, she-asa nisim la-a-vo-tenu, ba-ya-mim ha-hem bazman haze. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.)
The world rests on Justice, Truth, and PEACE
Day 7 “Shalom”…Peace
Shalom, peace is the heart cry of the Jewish person; hence our greeting of welcome or departure (the equivalent in English being “hello” and “good-bye”). We welcome you in peace and we pray you go in peace when you depart from us. We desire for a world that lives in peace. Will that ever be true…especially for the Jew?
A resounding “YES!” Peace can be attained individually now and in the future for the nation of Israel, through the blessing of our Meshiach (Messiah), the Savior of the world.
Every individual Jew (and Gentile) can find peace by coming to Y’shua, Jesus. He spoke of the peace He freely gives, as his follower Yohanan (John) recorded (chapter 14 verse 27): “Peace I leave with you: My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
Accepting the atoning work that Y’shua Jesus accomplished for all mankind through His death and resurrection, floods the soul with a peace that goes beyond understanding; a depth and reality mere words can never completely convey. Go to the foot of the cross with your burden and exchange it for His peace, which He freely gives to any and all who comes.
Furthermore, He promises, as Shaul (Paul) explained to the believers in Philipi: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ (Meshiach) Jesus (Y’shua) (see Philippians 4:6-7 in the New Covenant).”
For the nation, the future will hold 1000 years of peace when Meshiah (Messiah) sets up His Kingdom, sits on Melech (King) David’s throne and rules the world from Yerushalim (Jerusalem). Then, all the nations of the world will be blessed through the head-nation, Israel, as God fulfills His promises to Israel.
(see 2 Sh’mu’el (Samuel) 7; Z’kharyah (Zechariah)14; Revelation 20)
Come to Y’shua (Jesus) now for personal peace; see His glorious plan of peace for Israel in the future (in His perfect timing)!
Day 8
Last night is ; Sundown on Thursday, Dec. 14th, 2023
Chanukkah ends Friday Dec. 15th, 2023
The following blessing is recited when the Menorah is lit:
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haolam, asher kidshanu b’mitsvotav, v’tsivanu, l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by Your Mitzvot and enjoined us to kindle the Chanukah lights.)
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech haoalm, she-asa nisim la-a-vo-tenu, ba-ya-mim ha-hem bazman haze. (translation: We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.)
FUTURE/ETERNITY
Day 8 stands for the future with all its’ hope or Eternity and its’ infinity with all its’ possibilities. Although we stand on the precipice of an unknown future, but it is in the Hands of an All-Knowing Elohim (God)!
His promises for all time to those who believe and follow Him are recorded in the New Covenant where we read that He is able to do even more than we can think or ask (Ephesians 3:20) and that He will supply all our need according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19) in Meshiach (Christ) Y’shua (Jesus), which indeed are infinite!
The future is ripe with hope and promise (Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 29:11) for all who place their faith in Y’shua Jesus, the Messiah and Savior of all the world !
As the flames of our Chanukah candles will flicker and die, we pledge that the Maccabean heroism will not be extinguished; but the fight for freedom and truth will prevail. We are now renewed and refreshed as we remember and rededicate ourselves to the meaning of these Chanukah lights.
Dr. Samson Levy is quoted as saying: “May their precious lights guide our way in all days to come.” We who believe in Y’shua, Jesus, say, “May The True Light of Chanukah (Johanan (John) 8:12), Meshiach (Messiah) Y’shua (Jesus) guide our way in all days to come! Thy Word is a Lamp to my feet, and a light to my path (Tehillim (Psalm) 119:105).
“The Light of the World knows no power failure!” Plug into Y’shua Jesus.! Just as the shamash (servant) candle, pure and white stoops down to light all the others, Y’shua Jesus stooped down from Heaven, to come to us that He may put His True Light into our hearts! Let His Light shine within, illuminating your soul and all that these days stand for will truly be yours! Then, let the light within, shine without, pointing the way for others to see and come to the True Light, too!