What is Hanukkah?

In a previous article, we took a deeper look at the Jewish New Year, Rosh-HaShanah, in the Complete Jewish Study Bible. Let’s use this same study Bible to look at another significant Jewish holy day, Hanukkah. We’ll learn about the historical background, the traditional Jewish observance, the New Testament observance, and the prophetic fulfillment of this holy day.

Hanukkah – Historical Background

To fully understand this holy day, one must go back to a tumultuous time in the history of Isra’el: the Hellenistic period around 167 B.C.E. As was so often the case, the Jewish people were living under the oppression of a foreign power. A few generations earlier, the Greeks had come to world power under the remarkable leadership of Alexander the Great. With the ascension of this kingdom, Alexander seemed to have unified the ancient world into one common government and culture, which is known as Hellenism.

But after Alexander’s untimely death, there was a political scramble among four of his generals, resulting in the division of the Hellenistic empire. The Ptolemies took control of the south, which included Egypt, and the Seleucids took charge of the northern area around Syria. This left Judea caught in the middle of a tug-of-war. Eventually, under the leadership of Antiochus IV, the Seleucid/Syrians gained power and sought control of the new provinces. Seeking to unify his holdings, Antiochus enforced a policy of assimilation into the prevailing Hellenistic culture, requiring total submission to the Greek way of life.

Forced Assimilation

The Greeks thought that to be truly effective, this assimilation must apply to all aspects of life, including language, the arts, and even religion. Everything was to conform to the “superior” Greek way of life and values. This did not present a major problem for many people under the Seleucids. Indeed, the Greeks were highly respected for their culture. Even many Jews in Judea had adopted the Hellenistic way and openly advocated adherence to it.

However, there were a significant number of traditional Jews who were appalled at the changes in their society. Antiochus and the Seleucids continued growing more hostile toward these stubborn Jews who did not convert to Hellenism and steps were taken to enforce their policy. An ultimatum was given: either the Jewish community must give up its distinctive customs (Shabbat, kosher laws, circumcision, and so on) or die. To prove his point, Antiochus marched his troops into Yerushalayim and desecrated the holy Temple. The altars, the utensils, even the golden menorah were all torn down or defiled.

But that was just the beginning. Antiochus also ordered that a pig be sacrificed on the Jews’ holy altar, and he erected an image of the Greek god Zeus (who, oddly enough, looked like Antiochus) as the new point of worship in the Temple. Antiochus insisted on being called Epiphanes (“God manifest”), which would repulse any religious Jew. The Jewish community soon used a play on words, calling him “Epimanes,” which means “crazy man.”

Maccabean Revolt

The murmurings of revolt were heard in Judea, finally erupting in a small village called Modi’in after Syrian troops entered the town to enforce their assimilation policy. The soldiers planned to erect a temporary altar to the false gods and force the populace to participate in their religious ceremony—the highlight of which was eating the flesh of the swine.

Living in this village was an old, godly priest named Mattathias and his five sons. When the Seleucid soldiers chose him to lead the pagan ceremony, Mattathias and his sons reacted with holy indignation. They killed the soldiers and started a revolt against the oppressors. One of the sons, Y’hudah, rose to leadership and was nicknamed Maccabee, which means “the Hammer.” Overwhelmingly outnumbered and undersupplied, the armies of the Maccabees turned to more creative devices. Relying on their knowledge of the hill country and employing guerrilla warfare, the Jewish forces met with surprising success. Spurred on by their firm conviction that the God of Isra’el was true and faithful, the Maccabees proved that the impossible could happen. In the Hebrew month of Kislev (November/December) they drove out the Syrians and recaptured the Temple.

Rededicating the Temple

Now they faced the daunting task of restoring to the Temple the true worship of God. As the Temple compound was in shambles, desecrated by the idolatry of the Syrians, the Maccabees and their followers quickly cleansed the altars and restored the holy furnishings. Of particular importance to them was the broken menorah, symbolizing the light of God. They restored it and attempted to light it, but there was a problem. Jewish tradition recounts that as they searched for some specially prepared oil, they found only enough to burn for one day. The priests knew it would take at least eight days for new oil to be produced. What to do?

They decided it was better to light the menorah anyway; at least the light of God would shine forth immediately. To their amazement, the oil burned not only for one day, but for eight days until additional oil was available! The Temple was restored and rededicated to the glory of the God of Isra’el and an eight-day festival was established called Hanukkah (Dedication). Every year, starting on the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the Jewish community recalls the twofold miracle: the miracle of the oil, as well as the miraculous military victory.

Hanukkah – Traditional Jewish Observance

Hanukkah focuses on the hanukkiyah, the nine-branched menorah, or candleholder. Eight branches are reminders of the eight-day miracle of oil. A candle is lit the first day of Hanukkah, with an additional candle lit each subsequent day. The candle in the ninth branch (the center) is used to light the other candles. It is the shamash (servant). The menorah is lit after dark, usually in connection with a festive meal. After the blessings are said, it is traditional to sing holiday songs. Then it’s time to enjoy the meal with its traditional foods. Because of the miracle of the oil, it is customary to eat foods cooked in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (Israeli jelly doughnuts). They may not be the best for our diets, but they are a delicious way to remember the miracle of God!

Another reminder of the miracle of this holy day is the game of dreydels. These wooden or plastic tops have different Hebrew letters on each of their four sides: Nun, Gimel, Hey, and Shin standing for the phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham (“A Great Miracle Happened There”). More recently, the custom of giving gifts has found its way into the celebration of this joyous festival. Many families give real money (gelt) to children, perhaps twenty-five cents for each year of their age. There is nothing wrong with these traditions. They are a Jewish adaptation in response to the Christmas gift-giving custom at the same time of the year.

Hanukkah – New Testament Observance

It is surprising to both the Jewish and the Christian communities that the clearest mention of Hanukkah in the Bible is in the New Testament: “Then came Hanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter, and Yeshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo’s Colonnade” (John 10:22–23). Not only did Yeshua celebrate Hanukkah, but he observed it in the same Temple that had been cleansed and rededicated just a few generations earlier under the Maccabees. Many Jewish scholars see a deeper spiritual meaning to Hanukkah. “Then, the light is kindled to give inspiration, for the light of Messiah must burn brightly in our hearts,” says a writer in the Jewish publication Chanukah.

Because Hanukkah is a celebration of deliverance, it has also become a time to express messianic hope. Just as the Maccabees were used by God to redeem Isra’el, perhaps the greatest redeemer, the Messiah, would also come at this time! With this understanding, we more fully appreciate the scenes that unfolded as Yeshua celebrated the feast two thousand years ago in Yerushalayim.

Amid the festivities, Yeshua was approached by rabbis who asked, “How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us publicly!” (John 10:24). The answer to this appropriate question is contained in Yeshua’s Hanukkah message. He clearly reiterates his claim and the proof of his Messiahship.

This shows the real connection between Hanukkah and Christmas. Hanukkah recalls a military victory for Isra’el, and the implications are vast. If Antiochus had succeeded in his campaign of anti-Semitism and destruction, then there would have been no Jews by the time of Yeshua. The miracle of Christmas could take place only after the miracle of Hanukkah.

Hanukkah – Prophetic Fulfillment

As with all the biblical holy days, there are spiritual lessons to be learned from Hanukkah—light, courage, and faith, to name a few. Perhaps the most vital one is seen in its name. This festival commemorates a time when the true worship of God was restored in Yerushalayim. The Temple no longer stands today; it is the heart of each follower of Yeshua the Messiah that is the Temple where the Spirit of God dwells. But too often, believers endanger the purity of this Temple by allowing idolatry into their lives, just as Antiochus did in the Temple of old. Hence the timeless exhortation from Sha’ul:

“Or don’t you know that your body is a Temple for the Ruach HaKodesh [Holy Spirit] who lives inside you, whom you received from God? The fact is, you don’t belong to yourselves; for you were bought at a price. So use your bodies to glorify God.”

1 Cor. 6:19–20, Complete Jewish Bible

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