After Alexander’s death in 323 his empire was eventually divided into the
Syrian (Seleucids) and Egyptian (Ptolemies) empires. At this time under rule of
the Ptolemies, Jewish scholars in Alexandria translated the Scriptures into the
Greek Septuagint. Even though these two empires were antagonists they were both
dedicated to the furtherance of Hellenism. This was the continuance of
Alexander’s great desire to advance the teachings of Aristotle and unify the
world with the Greek culture. In 198 B.C. the Syrians wrested control of Israel
from the Ptolemies and for a time continued to allow the Jews to observe their
religious practices. However, as Hellenism advanced throughout the region strife
broke out between the Hellenistic and observant Jews. The feud gave reason for
the Syrian ruler, Antiochus IV, to eliminate all Jewish religious practices. He
replaced the high priest, desecrated the Temple by sacrificing swine and forced
all to observe pagan practices.
A Syrian officer came to the small town of Modin to demand the priest,
Mattathias of the Hasmonean family, to offer a pagan sacrifice. Mattathias
killed the Syrian along with an apostate Jew and fled with his sons to the
Judean highlands and waged guerilla warfare. After his death his son Judah
became leader and regained control of Jerusalem. He was called the ‘Maccabee’,
which means ‘hammer’. The word is also an acrostic in Hebrew, which means, "Who
among the mighty is like Thee, O God?" After their conquest the Temple was
cleansed and rededicated. As the High Priest was to light the Menorah only a
small jug of oil could be found- the rest had been previously desecrated.
However the day’s worth of oil is said to have lasted eight days. It is also
reported that 8 spears were found in the Temple and were stuck in the earth and
kindled a light on each one. Consequently, Hanukkah which means ‘ rededication’,
is observed for 8 days. The celebration begins on the 25th day of
Kislev which corresponds with December.
The Hasmonean families continued to rule Israel and some eventually became
Hellenized. Thus, the struggle continued under varying Syrian influence between
the observant Pharisees and the Hellenistic Sadducees. Roman rule began in 63
B.C. and Herod the Great became ruler over Israel prior to the birth of Yeshua
the Messiah.
This Festival and the Feast of Booths are similar in that both include
reading of the Hallel Psalms, waving of palm branches and the illumination of
the Temple. Unlike the Temple Menorah with seven candles for the Sabbath week,
the Hanukkah Menorah has nine candles. Eight represent the eight days plus a
middle candle, the Shamash (servant). The Shamash is lit first each evening and
then is used to light the others; only one is lit the first night and then an
additional candle each following evening.
Traditionally, one includes potato latkes and jelly doughnuts as part of the menu
since both are fried in oil; the oil as a reminder of the miracle. Also, the
children play games with the dreidel, a four-sided top. The different letters on
each side represent ‘ a great miracle happened there’; or in Israel ‘a great
miracle happened here’.
Hanukkah is celebrated in remembrance of the victory of the Maccabees over
the Syrian ruler Antiochus Epiphanes IV. The festival is celebrated for 8 days
beginning on the 25th day of Kislev (December). To appreciate its
significance one must first understand the circumstances surrounding the
occurrence.
