Why Celebrate Chanukah?
Unlike a Chanukiyah (8/9 branched candelabrum) the 7-branched "Menorah" is described in the Torah. The Menorah was a prominent feature in the Set apart Place of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness as also of the Jerusalem Temple. It became the primary symbol of ancient Israel. It also is described in Rev 1.
On the left hand side at the back of this photo above, is a 7 branched Menorah of which al seven branches are busy burning. The rest of them are all Chanukiyahs and not Menorahs. All 8/9 branches of a Chanukiyah will burn on the 8th and last day of Chanukah.
Today the Menorah (seven branched) is sometimes confused with the Channukiyah which is not a 7 branched but an 8 or 9-branched candelabrum which is used only during and specifially for the festival of Chanukah. The Jewish tradition for the lighting of the candles are that on each night of the 8 nights during Chanukah, an extra candle gets lit by the "servant candle" called the "chamash" in Hebrew, which is normally in the middle of a chanukiyah or at the one side of the chanukiyah (placed lower, highr or backwards on the chanukiyah). The lighting procedure: on the first night the "servant candle" will be put in its place plus one candle (for the first night) on the far right side. The first candle will be lit by the servant candle. Both will burn.The 2nd night, the servant candle will be put in place plus 2 candles (for 2nd night) put on the far right hand side of the chanukiyah. The servant candle will then be used to light the 2 candles that were placed on the far right side of the chanukiyah. All 3 will burn. (2 for the second night plus the servant candle). The tradition is that the lighting takes place now every night from left to right. The third night the middle one plus the far right 3 candles (3 for the third night) will burn and so it goes on untill the last night when all of the 8 candles (plus the servant candle) will burn on the 8th and last day of Chanukah. Every night the "chamash"/servant candle will be used to light the rest of the canles from left to right. (The candles get placed from right to left though) and all the candles that are lit for that specific night will burn untill finished. This is all done according to the ancient tradition and it must be noticed that it is NOT a Torah commandment. It is a tradition.
This tradition of the 8/9 branched Chanukiyah was brought in for the specific purpose of celebrating Chanukah.
Chanukah/Feast of Dedication (also later on known by an extra name called the “Festival of Lights”, begins on the 25th of Kislev (The Ninth Scriptural month) on the Scriptural (Biblical) calendar and lasts for eight days. It usually falls in December or late November. (Take note that it is 25th of Kislev, the Ninth Scriptural month, and not 25th December which is the 12th Gregorian month.
Chanukah is a Hebrew word that means "dedication." This Feast is celebrated in memory of the rededication of the Temple unto YHVH (Yahveh/Yahuveh), after the miraculous victory of the small Maccabee army over the mighty forces of the Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes.
Chanukah is not one of the Torah-commanded Feasts of YHVH, but it is a Feast that is mentioned in the Scriptures and kept since the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Temple by the Yuahdim/Jews and we have confirmation that even Yahshua was during this Feast of Dedication (Chanukah) found in the Temple, in Solomon’s porch: “It was the Feast of Chanukkah (most English translations would have translated "Chanukah" with "Dedication") at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Yahshua was walking in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.” Yochanan/ John 10:22-23.
In Scriptural terms, Channukah (Purim too) would be classified as a Yom Simchah, a day of joy.
Bemidbar/Numbers chapter 10 verse 10 talks about blowing the silver trumpets "on your days of joy, on your appointed times, and on your new moons". In modern times, the Jewish People observe a number of days of joy such as Jerusalem Day in commemoration of the liberation of Jerusalem in 1967 and Independence Day in memory of Israel surviving an invasion by several Arab armies in 1948-1949.
The implications of an anti-messiah-type is referred to in a number of places in both the Tenach (what was known to us as OT) as well as the Apostolic Writings (what was known to us as NT) and this Feast of Dedication (Chanukah) has a lot of Prophetic end time significance for Israel and thus also for us who are the “wild-olive-grafted-in ones” that Rom 11 speaks of; The ex-Gentile believers who are now citizens of the commonwealth of Yisrael.
Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that you, once gentiles[1] in the flesh, who are called ‘the uncircumcision’ by what is called ‘the circumcision’ made in the flesh by hands, Footnote: 11 Cor. 12:2.
Eph 2:12 that at that time you were without Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Yisra’ĕl and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no expectation and without Elohim in the world. Eph 2:13 But now in Messiah יהושע you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of the Messia
Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the set-apart ones and members of the household of Elohim,1 Footnote: 1Rom. 11:17-24, Isa. 14:1.
Eph 3:6 The gentiles to be co-heirs, united in the same body, and partakers together[1] in the promise in Messiah through the Good News, Footnote: 1Rom. 11:17-24, Isa. 14:1.
Both Daniel and Zechariah describe prophetically the Chanukah story. But most important of all are the very significant end time, prophetic references to Chanukah in many places, like in Matthew 24, Mark 13, 2 Thessalonians 2 and Revelation 13. One of the main figures in the Chanukah story, Antiochus Epiphanes, is the clearest picture we have in the Scriptures of the coming anti-messiah (antichrist).
Chanukah is the story of victory over apostasy and lawlessness. We believe that it is therefore very important for us today. Hebrews 11:33-38 includes people like the ones involved in the Chanukah story in its list of the heroes of faith,
“..who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.”
The Chanukah Story
Let's take the back ground story to Chanukah from the beginning: In 332 BCE, the armies of Alexander the Great defeated the Persian ruler Darius III at Issus. Only three years later Alexander's swift armies had conquered the entire then-known world from Europe to India. His mentor was Aristotle, and Alexander used Greek culture to unify his vast Empire.
After a very short career (he reigned 12 years), Alexander died at only 33 years of age and his empire was divided between his four generals into four different kingdoms. Two of the superpowers, the Syrian and the Egyptian kingdoms referred to in Daniel chapter 11 as the king of the North and the king of the South, became bitter rivals with little Israel constantly caught in the middle.
The book of Maccabee says: 1Ma 1:10 And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. In 171 BCE, Antiochus IV ascended the throne in Syria (Dan 11:21). He was a very evil ruler, full of pride, and he took the name Antiochus Theos Epiphanes, or Antiochus Epiphanes (meaning "God manifest"). He worked hard to "Hellenize" his subjects by forcing them to adopt the Greek culture and religion.
As a result two parties developed in Yisrael/Israel. The first wanted to adapt to the Greek influence, while the second was committed to stay pure and faithful to the covenant. The High Priest’s own
brother was among the Hellenists, and he even changed his name from Yeshua to the Greek name Jason. By offering Antiochus a bribe, he received his help to become High Priest instead of his brother, eventually killing his brother. The apostasy described in Daniel 11:32 was in full swing in a first fulfilment. “With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their Elohim will firmly resist him.”
The apostate Jason went on to build a Greek gymnasium in Jerusalem, where the men performed nude according to Greek fashion, and a temple to the Greek false mighty one (god) Phallus. He also enrolled the people of Jerusalem as citizens of Antioch, the capitol of Syria.
An even more fanatical Hellenist named Menelaus, paid an even larger bribe to Antiochus to become High Priest instead of Jason. Menelaus was not even of a priestly family and in order to pay his promised bribe he had to sell the golden vessels from the Temple.
At this time the ambitions of Antiochus Epiphanes had grown, and he set out to conquer the world and revive the entire empire of Alexander. Eventually Rome stopped him in his tracks, and in anger he began to turn against the Jewish people, destroying Jerusalem and killing thousands. Daniel had prophetically foretold almost 400 years earlier exactly what happened.
Ships of the western coastlands [Rome] will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the set apart covenant. He will return and show favour to those who forsake the set apart covenant. His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. (Dan 11:30-31)
On Kislev 15 (Ninth Scriptural month), 168 BCE, Antiochus Epiphanes erected a statue of Zeus, but with his own face, on top of the set apart altar in the Temple. Ten days later, on Kislev 25, he offered a pig on this altar. He sprinkled its blood in the Most set Apart place (Holy of Holies) and poured out its broth over the Torah scrolls before he cut them to pieces and burnt them. The Temple was converted to a shrine to Zeus.
Antiochus then went on to issue a death sentence over anyone who:
- observed the Shabbat,
- kept the Scriptural dietary laws,
- was circumcised
- or even studied the Torah.
It now became a legal requirement to offer unclean animals and offer incense to the emperor. Sadly, many Jews obeyed these laws and turned away from the Torah of Elohim. They denounced their brothers who remained faithful to the Covenant.
Whole families were put to death. Babies were hung around their mothers' necks and they were thrown from the walls of the cities, as thousands became martyrs for their faith. One of them said before he died, "It is good, being put to death by men, to look for hope from YHVH to be raised up again by him." (2 Macc 7:14)
Hebrews 11:35 says, “Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.”
The Deliverance
Eventually the deliverance began with one righteous and Elohim-fearing father.
Daniel 11:32 says, With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their Elohim will firmly resist him.
Or as it also can be translated, “…the people who know their Elohim shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”
When Antiochus soldiers came to the little town of Modin, close to Yerushalayim/Jerusalem, they built an altar to Zeus. Then they assembled all the townspeople and ordered an old priest named Mattathias to offer a pig on it. Mattathias refused. But an apostate priest stepped forward in his place in order to perform the abomination. In rage Mattathias grabbed the sword of the closest Syrian soldier and killed him. He then rushed forward and also killed the apostate priest upon the altar. In the commotion that followed his five sons followed his example, and overpowered the other Syrian soldiers killing all of them.
The people fled to the mountains to avoid Antiochus' revenge. The revolt, however, spread. The old priest Mattathias died of exhaustion and sickness after one year, but Yahudah (Judah), one of his five
sons, who was nicknamed “the Maccabee” or “the Hammer”, because of his military might, succeeded him. After three years of hard guerrilla warfare the small band under Yahuda/Judah the Maccabee and his brothers was able to throw out the Syrian forces after two stunning victories in open battle.
I will rouse your sons, O Tzion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you like a warrior's sword. Then YHVH will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign YHVH will sound the trumpet; he will march in the storms of the south, and YHVH Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. (Zec 9:13-15) – we believe in the end times this will still have a final fulfilling
The meaning of Chanukah is one of dedication, commitment, and devotion.
We may not be called to bear arms, "for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood" (Ephesians 6:12), but in every generation we are called to persevere under persecution. The Apostle Paul calls us to "not be conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2). Our Master taught, "blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Mathew 5:10). May we all remain steadfast in our faith in YHVH and our Master Yahshua by the strengthening of the Set apart Spirit (Holy Spirit).
"A great miracle happened there"
After their victory, they immediately set out for Yerushalayim/Jerusalem to restore the Temple. On Kislev (the Ninth month) 25, 165 BCE, exactly three years after the Temple had been defiled, they rededicated the altar to YHVH. There is a tradition that says that there was only enough set apart oil for the menorah to last for one day, but according to tradition the oil miraculously lasted for eight days until new oil had been produced. (It took 8 days to produce enough oil from olives)
Whether this is true or not *, the Most High had for sure done a great miracle, in that a tiny nation had overcome the superpower of the day and gained independence that lasted almost 100 years, as the saying goes during Chanukah: "Nes gadol hayah sham." "A great miracle happened there (or "here" if you live in Israel)." [* see footnote at end of article]
The miraculous victory over the ungodly forces of apostasy through the Maccabees, gained religious freedom for the Jewish people until the Messiah was born. When he was carried into the Temple by his Elohim-fearing parents to be presented before YHVH, the prophecy of Haggai had a fulfillment, "'The esteem of this present house will be greater than the esteem of the former house,' says YHVH Almighty." (Hag 2:9)
Many Messianic believers teach that when Yahshua said in Yochanan/John8:12 "I am the light of the world", that it was when He was in the temple during Chanukah. But this is not so. If you start reading fromYoch/Jonn 7 you will see that during the time of Sukkot (Jhn 7:2) Yahshua also went to the Temple (verse10) first in secret, then later in the middle of the Feast He went to the Set apart place and started to teach (verse 14). Then we see in verse 37 how Yahshua cried out on the seventh day of Sukkot (Sukkot is seven days), called "the great day of the Festival" (also known as the Hoshana Rabba day because of the final Water-drawing ceremony), that "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me, and let him who believes in Me drink........." Then after the great celebration during the Hoshanah Rabbah, the seventh day of sukkot, the people remained in the Temple all night praising Elohim. By now it was Shemeni Atzerteth (the Eighth Day - one-day Feast at the end of the seven days of Sukkot/Feast of booths or tabernacles). (We see in Yoch/Jhn 8:1 that Yahshua went to the Mount of Olive and then returned again to the Temple at dawn –verse 2). We can read in the history writings that the worn out garments of the priests were dipped in oil, hanged up on big ladders in the Temple Courts and set on fire lighting up all of Yerushalayim during that night. Yerushalayim was lit up in the night like a blazing torch (Isa 62:1). The light could be seen many miles away from Yerushalayim during this night of Shemeni Atzereth/the Eighth Day assembly. It was thus on this morning (the morning of Shemeni Atzereth very possibly) that we read in Yoch/John 8 that Yahshua returned to the Temple and the woman caught in adultery was brought to Him. Then after the people who brought her left, Yahshua said to her not to sin anymore. He then said in verse 12: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." During the previous night Yerushalayim was lit up like a blazing torch.
So, now during Chanukah when we are very aware of all the lights, it is also appropriate to remember the fact that Yahshua is the Light of the world and even to quote Yoch 8:12 where He said it, but we must just not make the mistake to tell people that He, Yahshua said it during Chanukah.
What did Yahshua have to say during Chanukkah?
FFOZ answer this well: Though this has been a time-honored celebration by the Jewish people, the earliest attestation to the celebration of Chanukkah is not from Josephus or the Mishnah, but the Good news (Gospel) of John. In John 10:22-42, the Master was present at Temple in Jerusalem during Chanukkah. Just like his previous visit during Sukkot, the crowds were eager for him to announce his kingship as the Messiah. "If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly" (John 10:24).
Relating to the story of Chanukkah (dedication), the Master points out that he had already told them, "the works that I do in my Father's name, these testify of me" (10:25). For both the Maccabees and the Master, the presence of YHVH's miracles signified his approval of their efforts. Both sought to uphold the true standard of Torah in the face of opposition. For the Maccabees, Hellenist Jews and Syrian-Greek persecutors opposed them. For the Master, unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees challenged his teaching of Torah and the Kingdom of Elohim.
In both situations, the miracles were present for all to see. Unfortunately, miracles do not produce faith; they sustain faith already existent. In the days of the Maccabees, the Hellenists refused to remain true to Torah. In the days of the Master, the unbelievers refused to believe in the One sent from the Father.
The same is true in our day. Miracles are there if one chooses to recognize them. The Amidah prayer (an ancient Jewish prayer that gets prayed every day) expresses it this way: The Father's miracles are "with us every day" and his wonders and favors are "in every season." Yet, many ignore the miracles that sustain us day in, day out. It takes great faith to acknowledge miracles.” End quote.
Celebrate Chanukah Today
When lighting the candles during Chanukah the following blessing is read, "Blessed are you YHVH (Jews will substitute this with Adonai), our Elohim, king of the universe who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time." Some people say the blessing over the candles which thanks Elohim for "commanding us to light the candles" This is something he never commanded and a violation of Deuteronomy 4:2.
Why should Gentile believers celebrate this feast?
Here are a few reasons:
1. Chanukah is part of salvation history. The miracles that happened during Chanukah (the small army that miraculously had victory over the mighty army of Antiochus) made it possible for the the Son of Elohim that had to be born so that the Father through this Messiah could save the world, to be born indeed, since Yahshua had to be born by Elohim-fearing parents living in obedience to the Torah. We certainly need to celebrate that.
But when the time had fully come, YHVH sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law. (Gal 4:4)
Luk 2:22 -24 And when the days of her cleansing according to the Torah of Mosheh were completed, they brought Him to Yerushalayim to present Him to יהוה – as it has been written in the Torah of יהוה, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called set-apart to יהוה” – and to give an offering according to what is said in the Torah of יהוה, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
2. Shaul/Paul calls Israel "our forefathers" in 1 Corinthians 10:1. Israel's history is also our history. We have been grafted into YHVH’s covenant people.
…you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root. (Rom 11:17)
3. Gentile believers are called to rejoice with YHVH's people who are the identifiable Yuhadim (Jews) in our time. “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”. (Rom 15:10)
4. Chanukah has very important prophetic lessons for us living in the end times. It is the story of victory over apostasy and lawlessness that will be repeated again in the last days. (Apostasy and lawlessness: “Don’t observe the Shabbat on the correct day which is the Seventh day; rather observe it on Sunday”, “don’t keep the Scriptural dietary laws, Jesus has done away with it”, “It’s not necessary to be circumcised in the flesh anymore, it’s only the circumcision of heart that counts”. Don’t study the Torah- it is not needed anymore because Jesus came to annul it when He died.”)
With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their Elohim will firmly resist him. (Dan 11:32)
5. We are the temple of YHVH and we need to dedicate our lives to be ready for the second coming of the Messiah.
In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in YHVH. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which Elohim lives by his Spirit. (Eph 2:19-22)
6. We need to remember Chanukah and pray for a faithful remnant again today in Yisrael.
This is what YHVH says: "Sing with joy for Ya’akov; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, 'O YHVH, save your people, the remnant of Yisrael.'" (Jer 31:7)
7. We need to pray that the Father will repeat the miracles of Chanukah again in Yisrael.
On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. …On that day I will make the leaders of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume right and left all the surrounding peoples, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place. (Zec 12:3,6)
We are faced with corrupting influences from the world/pagan/Babylon system working to influence us. When we burn the lights of the Chanukiyah each night during the eight nights, let us keep in mind: If we accept these corrupting influences and use impure oil (i.e. without the Torah and the Set apart Spirit as basis and instead have Babylon paganism mixed with the pure worship of Elohim) we will shine with humanistic endeavours, i.e. my will, will be paramount and Torah-less-ness (lawlessness) might start getting the better part of me.
On the other hand, we can use Pure oil and become a light to the nations, if our foundation is in the Torah of YHVH and we “shema” (listen) “shemar “(guard) and “asah” (DO) with the power and help of the Set apart Spirit (Holy Spirit) through Yahshua HaMashiach, the Lamb of Elohim, to raise our spirituality. Chanukah is a day of joy and praise and thanksgiving - we shall overcome!
May your Chanukah be filled with the remembrance of the miracles in the lives of our forefathers, the miracles present in our daily lives, and most of all, the miracle of the salvation made available by the
Almighty One through the One who was sent by the Father: Yahshua the Messiah, the Light of the World, the Living WORD! May we dedicate our lives with hearts that desire to be filled with pure oil.
* Footnote
Excerpt from an article written by N Gordon:
"The historical events surrounding Channukah are described in two historical works called 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees, written shortly after the events took place. Both of these books describe the events in excruciating detail. Both books tell the story of the liberation of the Temple but neither says a single word about the alleged miracle of the oil. Instead they give three reasons for celebrating Channukah for eight days.
The first reason was a miracle that repeated itself in the days of Moses and Solomon, both times associated with eight days of dedication. When Moses dedicated Aaron and his sons as priests in the desert the ceremony lasted eight days. On the eighth and final day of the dedication, a fire came out of heaven and consumed the sacrifices that Aaron and his sons offered on the altar (Lev 9:1, 24). This miracle happened again when Solomon dedicated his altar for eight days (2Chr 7:1, 9). The book of 2 Maccabees explicitly mentions this as the reason for eight days of Channukah.
The second reason for eight days was as a sort of "Second Sukkot". In Numbers 9 it says that if someone fails to partake of the Passover sacrifice in the First Month they can observe a Second Passover in the Second Month. The Maccabees had failed to observe Sukkot while they were fighting the Greeks. As soon as they liberated the Temple, they followed the example of Numbers 9 and made up for this with a Second Sukkot, as 2 Maccabees explains:
"And they celebrated it for eight days with rejoicing, in the manner of the feast of booths, remembering how not long before, during the feast of booths, they had been wandering in the mountains and caves like wild animals. " (10:6)
Of course, Sukkot is seven days with the Eighth of Assembly (Shemini Atzeret) tacked on to the end, hence the eight days of Channukah.
The book of 2 Maccabees gives a third, and rather bizarre reason, for the eight day festival of Channukah. Apparently this festival existed in some form or another going back to the time of Nehemiah when it was known as "The Feast of Fire". 2 Maccabees explains that when Nehemiah first offered sacrifices on his altar he expected a fire to come down from heaven just as it had in the time of Moses and Solomon. The same miracle also happened when David first offered sacrifices on his altar (1Chr 21:26) and when Elijah rebuilt the altar on Mount Carmel in his challenge to the priests of Baal (1Ki 18:38). Naturally when no fire materialized, Nehemiah was extremely disappointed. There was a legend that the priests of the 1st Temple hid the last burning embers of Solomon's altar in a cave. Nehemiah sent priests to retrieve it but all they found after seventy years was "thick liquid". They collected this thick oil and poured it on the altar but nothing happened. Then suddenly it ignited as 2 Maccabees explains:
"When this was done and some time had passed and the sun, which had been clouded over, shone out, a great fire blazed up, so that all marveled." (1:22).
Not a single word about the miracle of oil burning for eight days! Josephus also talks about Channukah and refers to it as the "Festival of Lights" but says nothing about the miracle of the oil burning for eight days. Instead he says:
"we celebrate this festival, and call it Lights. I suppose the reason was, because this liberty beyond our hopes appeared to us; and that thence was the name given to that festival." (Josephus, Antiquities 12:325)
If the Festival of Lights really had something to do with eight days of miraculous oil, wouldn't Josephus say this? He obviously was unaware of this reason for the festival. The story of the eight days of miraculous oil is also missing from the Scroll of Fasting, that 1st century CE document that lists all the days of joy of the Jews of that time. The first time this miracle is ever mentioned is in the Babylonian Talmud (Sabbath 21b) in a section written over three hundred years after the events.
So it was only made up after the altar was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, to give the holiday new purpose.
The real miracle of Channukah is the victory of a band of ill-equipped and untrained farmers and priests defeating a world super-power that had tried to force them to eat pig and give up circumcision and the Sabbath. Don't forget all those who were burned in the fires of persecution for living by the word of God and proclaiming his holy name." End quote.
So we see and agree that the
real miracle of Chanukah is the victory of a small group of people who took their
stand against Torah-lessness. Even though we believe that the miraculous burning of the Menorah for 8 days cannot be proofed, the fact is that there is lovely symbolism in the burning of the Chanukiyahs every night for 8 days. We will keep that in mind as we remember that if we take our stand for what is right, we will be walking in the light and possess the light of life as we walk in the footsteps of our Master Yahshua haMaschiach!
