Hanukkah:Chanukkah – Legends, Myths, & Facts

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02/12/2015, 1345Hanukkah/Chanukkah – Legends, Myths, & Facts | For The Love Of Truth

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Hanukkah/Chanukkah – Legends, Myths, & Facts

Myth. Jesus celebrated Hanukkah not Christmas, and we should be celebrating Chanukkah

instead of pagan Christmas.

A. Hanukkah is a celebration and holiday within Judaism about the Jewish people, for practicingJews of Judaism only. It is an offence to them for Gentiles and those outside of Judaism toparticipate in this holiday and we as believers in Jesus Christ are called to cause none offence.

Although it is suggested that Hanukkah be celebrated because of the universal desire of mankindfor liberty, within Judaism many believe it to be a memorial about the historical and ongoingconflict of Jewish culture and faith versus non-Jewish beliefs and what many call theGentile/Greek influences and faith.

Others articulate that the celebration of these festivals is to continue strengthening the Jewishpeople in all aspects of their lives. The very name of Hanukkah imparts the belief that when Jewshave dedicated themselves to their faith and through the pursuit of their religious ideals, Judaism

is strong. The goal then is to strengthen the Jewish religion and their people and that is what iseing commemorated in celebrating Hanukkah.1

Also called Lights, The Feast of Lights , or Feast of the Maccabees, 2 the historical name for thefestival was not the Feast of Lights but the Feast of Fire. 3. Hanukkah, (also Hannukah,Chanukkah, Chanukah) which means Dedication, commemorates the rededication of the Templein Jerusalem after having been desecrated by Gentile forces. Based on the Maccabean revolt(discussed below), and victory over Antiochus of Syria, the subsequent cleansing and rededicationof the temple, culminated in the legend of the oil burning in the temple eight days, which many

elieve is true.

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Jewish Rabbi Daniel Kohn, in answer to the question, “Is the miracle of Chanukah made up?”stated that the whole concept of the miracle of the oil, was indeed untrue. While stating that theactual lighting of the Menorah for the dedication of the Temple was real and based on spiritualsignificance, the rabbinic writings in the Talmud took the shift from the Maccabeean militaryvictory to that of a claimed miracle of the oil for the Menorah. 4

The perceived glory of the Maccabean victory became overshadowed due to all they did thatcaused harm to fellow Jews and their focus became viewed as dangerous and containing seditiousideas that were to be suppressed. The fear of glorifying the military success of the Maccabeanswhile under Roman rule, formed the basis for the idea of inventing the story of the miracle of theoil to become the focus and with it, masked the truth about the Maccabees and their shamefullegacy for many years. By reinventing the stories, the rabbis kept the holiday alive with a shift infocus and thereby inserted more religious significance. 5

Celebrated anywhere from late November to late December, for many within Judaism the eightday holiday has become very much a children’s holiday, reminiscent of Christmas and (for some)

instead of Christmas, celebrated with decorated and lit Hanukkah ‘bushes’. It is a time whenfamily comes together to commemorate this holiday by lighting a candle and exchanging gifts foreach of the eight days, and eating special food. Traditionally children received gifts of coins whichwere meant as a remembrance of the coins minted by the Maccabee state after the military victory.The receiving of gifts on each of the eight days became a later tradition, meant to parallel what isdone at Christmas with Christians, although Christians that do exchange gifts normally do so onlyon one day. Prayers and Psalms are recited according to Talmudic and kabbalist traditions. Theprayers and recitations during Hanukkah have much to do with the view of the Jews’ salvation[s],redemption and miracles via God using the Maccabees and other people/wars/events historically.

Hanukkah in the Scriptures

The Hebrew word of hanukkah or chanukkah is used in the Old Testament eight times. It means‘dedication.’ and is found in Numbers 7:10, 11, 84, 88; 2 Chronicles 7:9; Nehemiah 12:27 andPsalms 30:1. The secondary language found in the Old Testament, Aramaic, uses hanukkahprecisely four times, in Daniel 3:2,3 and Ezra 6:16 & 17 and spells it chanukka. Invariably, the wordhanukkah refers to the dedication of the altar in front of the Tent of Meeting, the Temple built bySolomon, or the wall of Jerusalem. The two times in Daniel 3 it is not used for those purposes, butrather is found used in reference to the dedication and worship of the image of Nebuchadnezzar in

Babylon. Those that refused to worship it were to be thrown into a fire.

Daniel 3:3…. were gathered together unto the dedication of the imagethat Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up…”6

The one Scriptural reference to dedication in the New Testament is found in John 10:22. ManyMessianics are using this passage to say that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah and therefore that meanswe should.

It is necessary to view the passage of John 10 as a whole first, and read the whole chapter because

the verse in reference to the feast of dedication, does not in fact say that Jesus was celebrating it. Itwas a statement of what time of year it was.


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John 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication , and it was winter.

G1456 >dedication 1456. !"#$%&'$ egkainia

Thayer Definition:

1) dedication, consecration

1a) in particular the annual feast celebrated eight days beginning in the 25th of Chislev (middle of our December), instituted by Judas Maccabaeus [164 BC] in memory of the cleansing of the templefrom the pollution of Antiochus Epiphanes” 7

Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries > 1456…Neuter plural of a presumed compound fromG1722 and G2537; innovatives , that is, (specifically) renewal (of religious services after theAntiochian interruption): – dedication.

Prior to verse 10:22, we see that the context began while Jesus was teaching in the Temple fromchapter 8:

John 8:2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came untohim; and he sat down, and taught them.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followethme shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is nottrue.

John 8:52-54 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham isdead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53.Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whommakest thou thyself? 54. Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Fatherthat honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:

Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Thentook they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, goingthrough the midst of them, and so passed by. [KJV]

Jesus healed the blind man just after leaving the scene at the Temple, John 9:1, and said:

John 9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he wasorn blind?

3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God shoulde made manifest in him.


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4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man canwork.

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointedthe eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,(which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. 8 Theneighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this hethat sat and begged?

John 9:14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15 Thenagain the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clayupon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the

sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was adivision among them.

Joh 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreedalready, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.[KJV]

Summary –the Jews cast out the blind man cured by Jesus. Jesus finds him and reveals who He isand the healed man believes and worships Him.

–the Pharisees there witness this and are told they are blind

10:1-5–the sheepfold parable-the Pharisees did not understand

10:6-16–about the sheepfold, Christ the door of the sheep, Christ the good Shepherd, the hirelings,laying down His life for the sheep,

Jesus had been healing and teaching prior to healing the blind man, and the Phariseeswere disputing him, some claiming He had a devil. Starting at verse 10:17, it says the following:

John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take itagain.18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I havepower to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20 And many ofthem said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of thelind? 22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to

doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believednot: the works that I do in my Father ’s name, they bear witness of me.


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26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of myFather’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of

those works do ye stone me?

33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and

because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest;

ecause I said, I am the Son of God?37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that theFather is in me, and I in him.39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he

abode.

41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of

this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there. [KJV]

Many of the Jewish and Gentile people gathered in Solomon’s porch because it was winter and itwas cold. Solomon’s porch bordered the outer court and was where the Gentiles congregated,

ecause they were not allowed into the inner court with the Jews. Jews could interact with theGentiles on the porch, which was located on the east side of the outer court of Herod’s Temple, i.e.the Second Temple. There was a sign posted at the inner court warning all non-Jews that to enterwould be punishable by death. The actual quote inscribed on the sign tablet[s], read:

“No foreigner may enter within the railing and enclosure that surround the Temple. Anyoneapprehended shall have himself to blame for his consequent death!” 8

Alfred Edersheim suggests in his writing, The Temple-It’s Ministry and Service in the time of JesusChrist , written during his seven volume work from 1876-87, “…These halls or porches around theCourt of the Gentiles must have been most convenient places for friendly or religious intercourse-meetings or discussions.” 9

Jesus went to where the people were and spoke the truth of who He was. He was not received bymost of the Jews present, especially the Pharisees, which many Messianics claim Jesus wascelebrating with. They, in fact, wanted to stone Him. There is nothing that says Jesus entered into


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any celebration. From what is stated in this chapter, the preceding and following chapters andverses, Jesus was there to share the things of God and who He was/is. He was about His Father’s

usiness. And when they tried to seize Him, He left Jerusalem.

Unlike the Maccabees, whose original mission was to protect and include the Jews and their beliefswhile excluding Gentiles and their beliefs, Jesus came to include all mankind who believed in

Him, so they could be part of the kingdom of God which He was building. Jesus was teaching thatHe was the Good Shepherd and that not only were there going to be ‘other sheep’, meaning theGentiles, brought into the sheepfold with the Jews but, all must enter the sheepfold through Him.The resulting flock of sheep would be comprised of believing Jews and Gentiles, which wasprophetic and part of the Abrahamic covenant from Genesis

These teachings are contrary to the Hanukkah festivities and focus, which was/is to separate fullyfrom anything or anyone non-Jewish, and celebrate the Maccabees, with the focus of some on that‘messiah.’

In sharp contrast to the Maccabean mission of physical liberty through war, self focus and revolt tothe governing authorities, disassociation and for some, resentment or hatred for those outside of Judaism, Jesus instead taught of loving enemies and forgiving and bringing those viewed asunclean into the fold through the only door that would make all spiritually clean. Himself. Hetaught and fulfilled, for example, the Isaiah prophecy of making God’s house a house of prayer forall people. He taught that all mankind, not just the pagan Gentiles, needed His cleansing.

Isaiah 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine houseshall be called an house of prayer for all people.8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, besidethose that are gathered unto him. [KJV]

Jesus often made a distinction between ‘the religion of the Pharisees’ and what He and theScriptures said. That is why many could not receive Him. They went by man made religion andthought over the Truth in the Scriptures. The Scriptures were there for them. Jesus said so.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they whichtestify of me. [KJV]

Regarding Hanukkah, there is no doubt that if the legend of the oil was true in that God kept theoil burning for 8 days, He is more than able. However, Hanukkah is not about God, but ratherabout the Maccabees and the Jewish people within the religion of Judaism. God was very specificabout how the Menorah was to be made, with 7 candlesticks. There was no divine directive tochange that or celebrate with anything different, or in fact, change the law of Moses. God forbidsthe changing of His commandments and the adding to them, and yet we have Messianicsfollowing rabbinic traditions that do just that. That Judaism elevates their traditions and writingsof the sages (found within the Talmud and kabbalah) above the Scriptures is what makes Judaismwhat is today. It is totally separate from what Christians or those who believe Jesus are to be

about. And that is the issue. The things of Christ are not about days and such, nor is our focus orglorying to be on man, but God alone:


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Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, orof the new moon, or of the sabbath days:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; [KJV]

For Christians , we need to apply the verses:

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from allappearance of evil. [KJV]

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Myth: Hanukkah commemorates the miracle of the oil and the victory of the Maccabees overthe Gentile rule and should be celebrated by those in Hebrew Roots or Messianics instead of

pagan Christmas.

A. Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration for the Jewish people. It was never to be including thoseoutside of Judaism. The historical facts show a far different story than many weave to bring othersinto celebrating this event. The Maccabee’s story is central to understanding what is legend andwhat is fact.

The Maccabean Revolt

The revolt that inspired the keeping of Hanukkah was through the actions of Mattathias, a Jewishpriest, and his five sons: Jochanan, Simeon, Eleazar, Jonathan, and Judah, who eventually led theuprising. This small group of Jews called the Maccabees rebelled and risked their lives to, “liveaccording to Jewish law,” and to prevent any further desecration of the Temple. 1

The story of the Maccabees and the Maccabean Revolt was reportedly commissioned by theMaccabees themselves, and is found in the Apocrypha’s 1st & 2nd Maccabees, which are found inCatholic and some Protestant Bibles. However, none of those writings are found in Jewish Bibles,

ut rather, the Maccabean Revolt is found referenced to in the extra-biblical writings of theTalmud. 2

From those and other historical sources such as Josephus’ Antiquities, we know that Antiochus or“Epiphanes”, outlawed the practice of Judaism prior to the second century BC. Idols and altarswere established throughout Jerusalem where sacrifices were made to the various ‘gods’. In fullrebellion to Almighty God, an idol was erected in the Temple, with many historically believing itto be an image of Zeus. Jews who disobeyed the directive to burn their Torah scrolls and ceasefrom practicing Judaism were murdered. By about 167 BC, Mattathais Maccabees and his sonsdetermined to stop the sacrilege of the Temple and proceeded to overthrow the Syrians. Judah

Maccabees took the lead and the Jews recaptured the Temple. According to the various writings,


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they rededicated the altar on the 25th of Kislev, that is, November-December. The celebration forthe dedication of the altar went on for eight days followed by the rededication of the Temple toGod. 3

Following the Maccabean War, peace was re established temporarily with the Seleucids, and theMaccabean state became known as the Hasmoneans. They did not cease their war however, but

discarded the temporary peace and continued with a civil war against the Seleucids andHellenized Jews within Jerusalem. It was then that the Maccabees commissioned and paid for thewriting of their war history called I Maccabees, which was fully propaganda about their exploits.Jewish loyalists called the Hasidism, who had also been against the Hellenizing Jews, wereoutraged not only by that propaganda, but also by the Maccabees claim to political and religiouspower. In response they formed a new opposition political party called the Perushim aka thePharisees, who were separatists. 4

It was descendents of those Pharisees that Jesus dealt with many times and it was they who triedto stone Him and in the end, most rejected Him.

The Pharisees eventually became the Rabbis, who (years later) were responsible for writing theMishnah and Talmud, and through them kept their hatred of the Maccabees entrenched in thewritings. The Pharisees believed the Maccabees had committed blasphemy by uniting the politicalpower seat with that of the priesthood. The Maccabees had used their military power to forciblyexpand the Jewish kingdom by becoming a military dictatorship, forcing such as the Idumeans(Edomites descended from Esau) to convert to Judaism and follow the laws and rituals, as well assubmit to the Jewish government. It became obvious that the more successful and wealthy they

ecame, the more Hellenization took place within Jewish society. They became the major force

ehind it, doing exactly what they started out to overthrow. Their political rule was eventuallyterminated by the conquest of the Romans. By the time of the Rabbis, the descendents of thePharisees and Hasidism, Israel had faced massive loss of life, not just in the initial revolt, but in thefollowing civil war where Jew rose up against Jew. 5

Jewish Rabbi Daniel Kohn, in answer to the question, “Is the miracle of Chanukah made up?”stated that the whole concept of the miracle of the oil, was indeed untrue. The actual lighting of the Menorah for the dedication of the Temple was real and based on spiritual significance, but therabbinic writings in the Talmud took the shift from the Maccabees military victory to that of theclaimed miracle of the oil for the Menorah. 6

The perceived glory of the Maccabean victory became overshadowed due to all they did whichcaused harm to fellow Jews, and their focus became viewed as dangerous and containing seditiousideas that were to be suppressed. The fear of glorifying the military success of the Maccabeanswhile under Roman rule, formed the basis for the idea of inventing the story of the miracle of theoil. By making the oil the focus, they masked the truth about the Maccabees and their shamefullegacy for many years. By reinventing the stories, the rabbis kept the holiday alive with a shift infocus and thereby inserting more religious significance, which in turn used to strengthen and buildJudaism. 7


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As an added point, the Eastern Orthodox Church venerates the Maccabees as Saints and TheDictionary of Bible and Religion suggests that the Maccabees were exalted to the point of Messiah. 8Many venerated Judah Maccabees specifically as the awaited Messiah. These are the factssurrounding Hanukkah.

Some Further History on Jews Killing Jews

As stated above, while many celebrate Hanukkah and the Maccabees, what many do not realize isthat the Maccabees themselves became a destructive force to Judaism.

For many years, Hanukkah symbolized the overthrow of pagan Gentile influence from Jewishspirituality, and the rededication to God and the Mosaic Law. However, history reveals that thewrath which was dealt out by the Maccabees did not end the path of disaster which Israel had

een treading. Whether reading ‘Gentile’ historical or Jewish resources, the end result was that theMaccabees became power hungry and corrupt. What started out for many as a zealous spiritualendeavor based on wrath, became immersed in corruption, murder and destruction, and the

eventual act of Jews killing Jews. The war and rebellion became a civil war. According to Josephus inhis Antiquities, within 65 years of the initial revolt, a challenge was put forth by a number of Pharisees towards one of the corrupt leaders of the Maccabees, one Alexander Janneus. During theFeast of Tabernacles, Alexander who was performing as high priest, corrupted the libationceremony by pouring the water over his feet instead of on the altar as the Pharisees had decreed.[Please note this ceremony was not from the God-given Law, but added in and decreed by thePharisees as part of their oral traditions.] In response, the religious Jews pelted him with lemons. Itwas after that time that Janneus had a partition-wall of wood built around the altar and thetemple, where it was only lawful for the priests to enter. In this way, he kept the multitude of Jews

from coming at him. 9 Outraged by the lemon incident, Janneus ordered his soldiers to slay 6,000of the Jews, resulting in a civil war which lasted six years and by the end, approximately 50,000Jews were killed. At the end of the war, the Jewish soldiers were ordered by Janneus to crucify 800of the Pharisees. He then ordered the throats of their children and wives cut, while they watched.10

The initial Revolt lasted about four years, from 167-163 BC. By 66 AD, the Zealots again revoltedagainst their Gentile oppressors. Just as with the earlier Maccabees, again the revolt ended withJews killing Jews, and many would agree that it changed the course of Jewish history forever.Many know that by 70 AD the Romans destroyed the Temple, burned Jerusalem, and slaughtered

thousands of people. The last stronghold at Masada ended with the rebel Jews committing suicide.

From a Christian perspective we know that Jesus foretold of the destruction of the Temple.(Matthew 24) Many view it as a physical ending of the sacrificial system and the change inpriesthood, meaning also the closing of the door on the Mosaic covenant with the fulfillment of thepromised New Covenant.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant withthe house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32. Not according to the covenant that I madewith their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt;which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33. Butthis shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the


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LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God,and they shall be my people. 34. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and everyman his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them untothe greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sinno more.

Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of thepeople; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Isaiah 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keepthee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Isaiah 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribesof Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, thatthou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Isaiah 49:22 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set upmy standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall becarried upon their shoulders.

It meant that now all, both Jew and Gentile, could come to God through Jesus Christ who was thefinal sacrifice, once for all.

Ephesians 2:13-19 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by thelood of Christ. 14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the

middle wall of partition between us; 15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of

commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so makingpeace; 16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain theenmity thereby: 17. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them thatwere nigh. 18. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19. Nowtherefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of thehousehold of God;

Romans 10:11-13 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12. Forthere is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that

call upon him. 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.There is no need for a Temple, because Jesus is the Temple and has also made us the Temple of theHoly Spirit. The sacrifice of our bodies and the sacrifice of praise take the place of the offerings.

Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with thesaints, and of the household of God;20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being thechief corner stone;21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. [KJV]


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=======================

Myth: God ordained Hanukkah and it is Scriptural, therefore Messianics and Christians should

celebrate it instead of Christmas. The ceremonies are found in the Scriptures.

A. There is no Scripture that suggests that God commanded or suggested the keeping of Hanukkah. It is not found in the commandments given to Moses for Israel and is not listed in anyof the feasts or holidays commanded by God. It was first celebrated by the Maccabees and becamea religious holiday which became enforced by the Pharisees and rabbis through the Talmud. It wasnot God ordained in the Scriptures.

In Rabbi Hyam Maccoby’s, Revolution in Judaea , and as discussed in the article, To Embrace HebrewRoots: Part II : The Bible & The Talmud (http://www.seekgod.ca/embracebible.htm) , he noted that thePharisees brought in many traditions, observances and festivities which were not part of the

written law of Moses given by God. These additional traditions, often referred to as the oral law,are what were rejected by the Sadducees. However, most Jews defend and fully support theadditions found throughout the Rabbinic writings of the Talmud and Kabbalah, which have

ecome ingrained in Judaism as it is known today. According to Hyam Maccoby, the Pharisees notonly added the festivals of Hanukkah and Purim, they added to the canon of Scripture and addednew doctrine to Judaism, which included new rites to Temple worship, and they have continually

rought in new prayers and ceremonies for use in Jewish synagogues. These are all additions thatmany Messianic congregations also utilize and participate in. 1

The principal source for the story of Hanukkah and the legend of the oil is found in the Talmud

and many Jewish and non-Jewish sources discuss the fact that the legend of the oil burning foreight days in the Temple is just that, legend. Which brings one to an interesting point.

We have been told that most Messianics do not approve of, nor do they embrace the teachingsfrom the Talmud, although some have admitted to this author that they do, and one merely needsto peruse the writings of many leadership to see they do. And of course the activities andMessianic dress is based on rabbinic aka talmudic or kabbalist traditions. So, why are most usingthe Legend of the Maccabees and the associated Miracle of the Oil story to enter into thecelebration for that Legend?

Hanukkah Ceremonies

The 9-candle menorah (Chanukiah) is used to celebrate Chanukah and contemporary use of it is incelebration of the victory of what many view as a Messiah, Judas Maccabees and his brothers. Thestory includes the cleansing of the Temple and the legend of oil miraculously burning for eightdays.

Some suggest that initially, the lighting of the Temple menorah in the rededication ceremony wasased on the commandment to light the Menorah with pure oil as is written in Leviticus 23 and 24.

That was immediately followed by the commandment to observe the Feast of Tabernacles orSukkot festival for 8 days, which means 7 days of Sukkot followed by Shemini Atzere. “The Sages

http://www.seekgod.ca/embracebible.htm


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Myth: The Hanukkah Menorah with nine candles symbolizes Christ and therefore all

Messianics and Christians should be celebrating Hanukkah instead of pagan Christmas.

The Candle Question & Messianics

A. The Hanukkah festival is observed in Judaism by the lighting of a special nine candle Menorah,although the Menorah ordained by God for the Temple has seven candles. One candle is lit pernight, and each additional candle is lit on each night of the holiday, progressing to the eighth onthe last night. The ninth candle, separated either above or below the rest, is called the ‘shamash’ orguard or servant candle, which is lit each night in order to light the other candles. It’s purpose isfully secular, not religious, and is strictly for Judaism to which this holiday belongs.

According to the Talmud, the purpose of the extra light is to adhere to the prohibition, specified

in Tracate Shabbat 21b–23a, against using the Hanukkah lights for anything other than

publicizing and meditating on the Hanukkah story. 1

And yet, we have Messianics who utilize the rabbinic writings, including the Talmud and theZohar which is the kabbalah, and state that the whole use of 9 candles was a prophecy aboutChrist.

Some Messianics also align Chanukah to a celebration of the conception of Mary, with some goingso far as declaring that December 19 was “the evening before the conception of Mary”.

One Messianic stated in an email:

“…the evening’ before the conception of Mary. “*** From Peter: For all of you awaiting the day of the conception of Yeshua, it will be in the early evening hours of Sunday. It occurred in the earlyevening when Miryam entered the home of Elizabeth. At that very moment in history the MessiahYeshua, the Word/Torah was made flesh in the womb of Miryam. peterm ” 2.

According to these people, the proof of the conception of Mary calculations are found in thewritings of various Messianics practicing kabbalah and gematria, with the approximate time of

conception believed to have fallen sometime in late November to late December. They proudlyproclaim that this is exactly the period of time for the Festival of Chanukah, which is also whenthey believe the Magi arrived fifteen months later. Another said:

“…for Jews who light the Chanukiah this year, or for those who can learn from our customs, weshould keep in mind that in our encounter with “darkness”, we don’t want to use the flame to

urn and destroy the world, but rather, we want to use it to illuminate the whole world withTorah. We want to light the way for all the Nations so that they can prosper materially andspiritually. Even though they will never fully respond to this before the coming of Mashiach, wemust still give them this prescription. It is the same as it was in the time of the Hellenisticoppression: by increasing our light, the darkness fades and the bright Morningstar arises.”3


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Words cannot express how un-Scriptural these things are. The man-ordained celebration wasnever intended to represent the conception of Mary — and it is certainly not viewed like that inJudaism nor their writings in the Talmud or Zohar. Nor did Almighty God feel it necessary tosuggest precisely how and when these things happened. However, that does not hinder manyfrom delivering the intent of Hanukkah as being for Gentiles to join with the Jews in thiscelebration, so that the Jews can “illuminate the whole world.” What a sharp contrast to the

historical and original intent of the Maccabees–to separate from all Gentiles and their practices andeliefs, and also the current view of Hannukah by practicing Jews of Judaism.. And what a very

sharp contrast to the Scripture where Jesus said He was the Light of the world.

John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followethme shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” [KJV]

Jesus also said those who followed Him were to be salt and light of the world.

Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be

salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it givethlight unto all that are in the house.16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Fatherwhich is in heaven. [KJV]

Christians are told in the Scriptures to do the following:

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every

creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall bedamned.

Luke 24:44-47 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yetwith you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in theprophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45. Then opened he their understanding, that theymight understand the scriptures, 46. And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behovedChrist to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [KJV]

Nowhere are we told to go into all the world and preach Torah, because it is about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Some Messianics have determined that the whole legend of the oil as being true and go on todeclare that the original and specially designed menorah and all the symbolism was meant tosymbolize Jesus. It is also being stated that the Jews were free to change what and how Godordained the Temple menorah and feasts to be. The belief is that the Maccabees wanted to makethe holiday so much more special, (than the God commanded ones?) that they copied the Feast of Tabernacles, but changed the menorah to the 9 candles instead of the seven. The 9th candle is,

according to them, used to light all others and represents Jesus. 4 Which of course is fully contraryto what Judaism teaches. And it is their celebration…


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Some teach that the original Chanukiah, aside from the 9 candles, had the Star of Remphan, alsocalled the Star of Moloch, emblazoned as a symbol on it and which people today refer to as the starof David.

The Encyclopaedia Judaica’s article, Magen David , acknowledges that the hexagram was used bymagicians in connection with Judah Maccabee.

” The oldest text mentioning a shield of David is contained in an explanation of a magical“alphabet of the angel Metatron”…among the Hasidei Ashkenaz of the 12th C. But here it was theholy Name of 72 names which was said to have been on this protective shield together with thename MKBY, which the tradition of the magicians connected with Judah Maccabee.” 5

Some of those very facts are discussed in the Kabbalah(http://www.seekgod.ca/embracnokab.htm) , Talismans and Masters of the Nam(http://www.seekgod.ca/practicalkab.htm)e and other articles in the series, “To Embrace HebrewRoots.” (http://www.seekgod.ca/embraceintro.htm) 6

Of the many Scriptures concerning this are:

Acts 7:42,43 ” Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written inthe book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices bythe space of forty years in the wilderness? Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the STAROF YOUR GOD REMPHAN, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away

eyond Babylon.

Amos 5:26-27 But ye have born the tabernacle of your Moloch, and Chiun (Remphan) your images,

the STAR OF YOUR GOD, which ye made to yourselves. Therefore, will I cause you to go intocaptivity beyond Damascus, saith the Lord…

Exodus 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table showbread before me alway.31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made:his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of theone side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls

made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that comeout of the candlestick.34 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and theirflowers.35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceedout of the candlestick.36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of puregold. [KJV]

God dealt with the issue of the star of remphan/chiun/molech that some in Israel went after…

http://www.seekgod.ca/embraceintro.htmhttp://www.seekgod.ca/practicalkab.htmhttp://www.seekgod.ca/embracnokab.htm


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Referencing Strong’s Concordance about Remphan, we see:

4481 Rhemphan [hrem-fan’] by incorrect transliteration for a word of Hebrew origin 3594; n pr mAV – Remphan 1; 1 Remphan = “the shrunken (as lifeless)” 1) the name of an idol worshippedsecretly by the Israelites in the wilderness.”

3594 Kiyuwn [kee-yoon’] from 3559; n pr dei AV – Chiun 1; 1 Chiun = “an image” or “pillar” 1)probably a statue of the Assyrian-Babylonian god of the planet Saturn and used to symboliseIsraelite apostasy.”

Various articles reference The Talisman of Saturn, which involves a pentagram and a hexagram.From one occult source concerning the use of this symbol:

“On the first face is engraved…a pentagram or a star with five points. On the other side isengraved a bull’s head enclosed in a SIX-POINTED STAR, and surrounded by letters composingthe name REMPHA, THE PLANETARY GENIUS OF SATURN, according to the alphabet of the

Magi.” (Christian, p. 304-5) 7

In other words, the hexagram used today as the star of David came historically from non-Biblicalfoundations. Some within Judaism openly admit that it came from Babylon.

The point is, neither Hannukah, nor the 9 candle menorah were ordained by God in the Scriptures.And it is to the Scriptures that we are to turn to confirm our beliefs and doctrine.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, forreproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17. That the man of God may be perfect,

throughly furnished unto all good works.

James 1:21-22 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive withmeekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22. But be ye doers of the word,and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. [KJV]

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Myth. Christians believe Christmas is Jesus’ birthday.

A. Obviously it is not, although some would be inclined to say it is the actual birth day of Christ.For those in Hebrew Roots, December 25 is anathema, and by using the pagan roots of secularismattempt to apply them to how Christians celebrate Christ’s birth. They push the “real date” back tothe Feast of Tabernacles in the fall as the correct date, but do little to celebrate His birth in any case,as everything about “Jesus” is pagan and everything about keeping the feasts is right. Once theissue of the person and name of Jesus Christ being pagan is established as a ‘fact’, then the

Scriptures can be overturned, which is done systematically, until the New Testament is believed tohave been totally corrupted by pagans.


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Christmas, although having many secular and unnecessary elements, for most Christians, means atime to publicly tell the story of the miracle of Jesus Christ’s birth and all related to it, includingthe fulfillment of prophecies. May we never be silent on these Truths.

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Original article and footnotes can be found here:

http://www.seekgod.ca/hr/hrfaqs4a2.htm#1 (http://www.seekgod.ca/hr/hrfaqs4a2.htm#1)

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Hanukkah:Chanukkah – Legends, Myths, & Facts