Hanukkah Prayers

Hanukkah Prayers

1. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.

2. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, and at this time.

3. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

Hanukkah Prayers

"SHA-ALU SHALOM YIRUSHALAYIM"

(PS 122:6)

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

(PS 137:5-6)

5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. 6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

Hanukkah Prayers

"SHA-ALU SHALOM YIRUSHALAYIM" Hamas: Over 170 killed as Israel strikes police compounds

Hanukkah Prayers

"SHA-ALU SHALOM YIRUSHALAYIM" Hamas: Over 170 killed as Israel strikes police compounds

General Info Purposes

In Leviticus 23, God appointed seven holidays for the Israelites as times to meet with him.

Passover Feast of Trumpets Unleavened Bread Day of Atonement Firstfruits Feast of Booths Feast of Weeks

Other holidays developed later.

General Info Purposes

To remind the people of what God done for them: the miracles, the victories, and the provisions To remember the day of rest (sabbath) To give thanks through offerings To repent and offer sacrifices To read the Scriptures

Genesis 1:14

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

The Appointed times

…and let them be for signs, and for seasons , and for days, and years:

“seasons” = mow`edim the appointed times or the appointments that God has set up with man

The Appointed times

52 Sabbaths Leviticus 23 +7 Days of Passover (including its related Feasts) +1 Shavout - Feast of Weeks – Pentecost +1 Yom Teruah - Feast of Trumpets +1 Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement +7 Days of Sukkot – Feast of Tabernacles +1 Shimini Atzeret – 8 th Day of Assembly 70 Appointed Times

The Appointed Times

mow`edim

•

Statistical Expectation: You would expect to find this 5 times in the 78,064 letters in the Book of Genesis

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As an equidistant letter sequence it appears only once in the Book of Genesis

•

At an interval of 70

•

It is centered on Genesis 1:14

•

Odds against this by unaided chance have been estimated at greater than 70,000,000 to one

General Info Purposes

Three of the seven appointed holidays were pilgrimage feasts when all Jewish males were required to go to Jerusalem to“appear before the Lord” (Deuteronomy 16:16).

Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Booths

General Info Calendar

In Exodus 12, God established a new order of the months.

This was the Jewish calendar used to determine the holidays (religious year).

General Info Calendar

The Gregorian calendar used by most Western nations today is a solar calendar.

The Jewish calendar uses both lunar and solar movements.

The months are determined by the moon; the year by the sun.

General Info Calendar

Following the Babylonian exile in the sixth century BC , the Jewish calendar reflected the Babylonian names of the months.

These names still exist today in the current Jewish calendar.

General Info Calendar

In Jesus’ time and now there was a second calendar for civil affairs.

This civil calendar is still in use today. The Jewish calendar has 12 months, each with 29 or 30 days.

General Info Religious Calendar

Feast of Dedication

Also Known As:

Hanukkah

Observed:

25 Kislev - 2 Tevet November or December

Scripture:

John 10:22

Hebrew:

Feast of Dedication Background

Celebrates the Maccabean victory and the rededication of the temple in 165 BC .

Hanukkah means “dedication.” Hanukkah is also known as the Feast of Lights.

Feast of Dedication Background Information

Book of Maccabees Book of Daniel A Treasury of Jewish Holidays

by Hyman Goldin

Book of Daniel

1. Deported as a teenager 2. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream 3. Bow or Burn; The Furnace 4. Nebuchadnezzar's Pride 5. The Fall of Babylon 6. The Lions Den 7. Four Beasts 8. The Ram and the He Goat Aramaic 9. The Seventy Weeks 10. A Glimpse of the Dark Side 11. The “Silent Years” (in advance) 12. The Consummation of All Things

Daniel 10:1

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

Gold Silver Brass Iron Iron + Clay Daniel 2 Daniel 7 Winged Lion Bear on side Leopard Terrible Beast 10 Heads ...

Babylon 606-539 BC Persia 539-332 BC Greece 332-68 BC Rome I 68 BC ?

“Rome II”

Daniel 8

Daniel 8:3

Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.

Daniel 8:5-6

5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.

Daniel 8:8

Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

1Maccabees 1:1-4

After Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came from the land of Kittim, had defeated Darius, king of the Persians and the Medes, he succeeded him as king. (He had previously become king of Greece.) He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth. He advanced to the ends of the earth, and plundered many nations. When the earth became quiet before him, he was exalted, and his heart was lifted up. He gathered a very strong army and ruled over countries, nations, and princes, and they became tributary to him.

1Maccabees 1:5-7

After this he fell sick and perceived that he was dying. So he summoned his most honored officers, who had been brought up with him from youth, and divided his kingdom among them while he was still alive. And after Alexander had reigned twelve years, he died.

1Maccabees 1:8-10

Then his officers began to rule, each in his own place. They all put on crowns after his death, and so did their sons after them for many years; and they caused many evils on the earth. From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks [175/174].

The Empire Divided

Daniel 8:9

And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

Out of the divisions of the Grecian Empire came Antiochus Epiphanies

Hellenists

Many Jews, wished to gain friendship with the Syrians and Greeks.

They stopped speaking Hebrew.

They ceased observing their own laws and customs.

These feeble minded Jews were known as the Hellenists.

Society of the Pious, Hasidim

The faithful Jews looked with hatred and contempt upon the Hellenists who sought to break away from their own people and from the religion of their fathers. They organized themselves to oppose the Hellenists, and to preserve the Jewish religion, laws and customs. They formed the society of the Pious, Hasidim.

Daniel 8:10

And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

Antiochus IV

• • •

8 th King of the Syrian dynasty, 175-164 BC 1 Macc 1:10; 6:16 Ascended the throne following the murder of his brother, the former king, Seleucus Philopator - Not even rightful heir - Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, the rightful heir to the throne still lived but was held as hostage in Rome Antiochus succeeded in obtaining the throne largely through flattery and bribery

Antiochus IV

• • • •

Came to power 175 BC Invaded Egypt, defeated Ptolemy VI Recalled from Egypt by Rome, he made Jerusalem a buffer state - Plundered & desecrated the Temple He called himself - Epiphanes, “the Illustrious One” - The Jews called him Epimanes, “the Madman”

Daniel 8:11

Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his Sanctuary was cast down.

Daniel 8:12

And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered.

1 Maccabees 1:44-49

“And the king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah; he directed them - to follow customs strange to the land - to forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in the sanctuary - to profane Sabbaths and feasts - to build altars in sacred precincts and shrines for idols - to sacrifice swine and unclean animals, and - to leave their sons uncircumcised

1 Maccabees 1:44-49

They were to make themselves abominable by everything unclean and profane, so that they should forget the law and change all the ordinances And whoever does not obey the command of the king shall die.”

1 Maccabees 1:51-53

In such words he wrote to his whole kingdom. And he appointed inspectors over all the people and commanded the cities of Judah to offer sacrifice, city by city. Many of the people, every one who forsook the law, joined them, and they did evil in the land; they drove Israel into hiding in every place of refuge they had.

1 Maccabees 1:62-64

But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. And very great wrath came upon Israel.

Hebrew Martyrs: Eleazar

Eleazar was a aged and venerable Jew, who was summoned by the king. The king’s officers said to the old man in the presence of Antiochus that he should eat of the swine meat or die a horrible death.

He refused and was told we will give you clean meat and it will just look like your eating pork.

Again he refused.

He replied, “

Silver and gold mean naught to me, and torture and death hold no horrors for me

,” He said calmly, “

I will remain faithful to my God and His Law to the very day of my death

.”

Hannah and Her Seven Sons

The Sages have preserved a very sad but wonderful story about a Jewish woman named Hannah and her seven sons who lived in Syria. Her family was brought before the town and the eldest son was odered to bow to the king or die.

He refused quoting scripture.

He was tortured to death in front of Hannah and her sons. Each son was brought forward and refused to bow before Antiochus and each son was tortured to death.

Hannah and Her Seven Sons

Hannah went to her rooftop and prayed. “ O Lord God! Abraham our father was ready to do Thy bidding and to sacrifice one son for the sake of Thy name, and I have sacrificed seven sons for the sake of Thy great name. Pray take my soul for I loathe to fall into the hands of these tyrants .” Hannah having nothing to live for threw herself from the roof and died.

Her soul flew up to heaven with a smile, and voice resounded from Heaven, saying: “ The mother and the children rejoice; they have now entered everlasting bliss.

”

1 Maccabees 2:1-7

In those days Mattathias the son of John, son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, moved from Jerusalem and settled in Mode'in. He had five sons, John surnamed Gaddi, Simon called Thassi, Judas called Maccabeus, Eleazar called Avaran, and Jonathan called Apphus. He saw the blasphemies being committed in Judah and Jerusalem, and said, "Alas! Why was I born to see this, the ruin of my people, the ruin of the holy city, and to dwell there when it was given over to the enemy, the sanctuary given over to aliens?

1 Maccabees 2:1-7

Then the king's officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Mode'in to make them offer sacrifice. Many from Israel came to them; and Mattathias and his sons were assembled. Then the king's officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: "You are a leader, honored and great in this city, and supported by sons and brothers. Now be the first to come and do what the king commands, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those that are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be numbered among the friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts."

1 Maccabees 2:19-22

But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: "Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him, and have chosen to do his commandments, departing each one from the religion of his fathers, yet I and my sons and my brothers will live by the covenant of our fathers. Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances. We will not obey the king's words by turning aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left."

1 Maccabees 2:23-26

When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice upon the altar in Mode'in, according to the king's command. When Mattathias saw it, be burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. He gave vent to righteous anger; he ran and killed him upon the altar. At the same time he killed the king's officer who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. Thus he burned with zeal for the law, as Phinehas did against Zimri the son of Salu.

1 Maccabees 2:27-30

Then Mattathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying: "Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!" And he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the city. Then many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to dwell there, they, their sons, their wives, and their cattle, because evils pressed heavily upon them.

1 Maccabees 2:65-70

Now behold, I know that Simeon your brother is wise in counsel; always listen to him; he shall be your father. Judas Maccabeus has been a mighty warrior from his youth; he shall command the army for you and fight the battle against the peoples. You shall rally about you all who observe the law, and avenge the wrong done to your people. Pay back the Gentiles in full, and heed what the law commands." Then he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers. He died in the one hundred and forty-sixth year [166/165] and was buried in the tomb of his fathers at Mode'in. And all Israel mourned for him with great lamentation.

1 Maccabees 3:18-22

Judas replied, "It is easy for many to be hemmed in by few, for in the sight of Heaven there is no difference between saving by many or by few. It is not on the size of the army that victory in battle depends, but strength comes from Heaven. They come against us in great pride and lawlessness to destroy us and our wives and our children, and to despoil us; but we fight for our lives and our laws. He himself will crush them before us; as for you, do not be afraid of them."

1 Maccabees 4:36-40

Then said Judas and his brothers, "Behold, our enemies are crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it." So all the army assembled and they went up to Mount Zion. And they saw the sanctuary desolate, the altar profaned, and the gates burned. In the courts they saw bushes sprung up as in a thicket, or as on one of the mountains. They saw also the chambers of the priests in ruins. Then they rent their clothes, and mourned with great lamentation, and sprinkled themselves with ashes. They fell face down on the ground, and sounded the signal on the trumpets, and cried out to Heaven.

1 Maccabees 4:41-43

Then Judas detailed men to fight against those in the citadel until he had cleansed the sanctuary. He chose blameless priests devoted to the law, and they cleansed the sanctuary and removed the defiled stones to an unclean place.

1 Maccabees 4:44-47

They deliberated what to do about the altar of burnt offering, which had been profaned. And they thought it best to tear it down, lest it bring reproach upon them, for the Gentiles had defiled it. So they tore down the altar, and stored the stones in a convenient place on the temple hill until there should come a prophet to tell what to do with them. Then they took unhewn stones, as the law directs, and built a new altar like the former one.

1 Maccabees 4:48-50

They also rebuilt the sanctuary and the interior of the temple, and consecrated the courts. They made new holy vessels, and brought the lampstand, the altar of incense, and the table into the temple. Then they burned incense on the altar and lighted the lamps on the lampstand, and these gave light in the temple.

1 Maccabees 4:51-54

They placed the bread on the table and hung up the curtains. Thus they finished all the work they had undertaken. Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month of Kislev, in the one hundred and forty eighth year; 15 December 164, they rose and offered sacrifice, as the law directs, on the new altar of burnt offering which they had built. At the very season and on the very day that the Gentiles had profaned it, it was dedicated with songs and harps and lutes and cymbals.

1 Maccabees 4:55-58

All the people fell on their faces and worshiped and blessed Heaven, who had prospered them. So they celebrated the dedication of the altar for eight days, and offered burnt offerings with gladness; they offered a sacrifice of deliverance and praise. They decorated the front of the temple with golden crowns and small shields; they restored the gates and the chambers for the priests, and furnished them with doors. There was very great gladness among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was removed.

1 Maccabees 4:59

Then Judas and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel determined that every year at that season the days of dedication of the altar should be observed with gladness and joy for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Kislev.

Feast of Dedication Background

Seleucid King Antiochus Epiphanes had defiled the temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar and pouring the blood on the Scripture scrolls.

Feast of Dedication Background

Legend says that after cleansing the temple, the supply of oil to relight the eternal flame of the temple menorah was only enough for one day.

Depiction of the temple menorah on Arch of Titus

Feast of Dedication Background

But God performed a great miracle, and the flame burned for the eight days necessary to purify new oil. The eternal flame symbolized God’s presence.

Depiction of the temple menorah on Arch of Titus

Feast of Dedication Yeshua (Jesus)

This feast was celebrated in Jesus’ day: “Then came the

Feast of Dedication

at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade” (John 10:22-23).

Feast of Dedication Yeshua (Jesus)

This holiday is a reminder of those who courageously remain faithful to God in the face of persecution. A major theme in the New Testament is remaining faithful to Christ, especially during persecution.

Feast of Dedication Yeshua (Jesus)

This holiday is a reminder that God is faithful and delivers his people from oppression–including the oppression of sin and death.

Feast of Dedication Fascinating Facts

Eight candles represent the miraculous burning of the temple flame for eight days.

The ninth candle is used to light the others.

Hanukkah Menorah

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