The History of Hanukkah
Contrary to popular imagination, Hanukkah is not a Jewish version of Christmas. The word Hanukkah (חנוכה) means “dedication” in Hebrew. It commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, in the 2nd century BCE Maccabean Revolt, against the Syrian Empire. After recapturing the Temple, the Maccabees had to cleanse and restore it. Fortunately, a single jar of pure olive oil remained undefiled, which was used to illuminate and rededicate the Temple. Miraculously, the small quantity of oil- which should have lasted a single day- burned for eight, leading to the eight-day festival, “The Feast of Dedication.”
The Light of Israel
The symbol of Hanukkah is the Menorah, an eight-branch candelabrum that is lit on each of the eight days of the festival. Menorah comes from the Hebrew word ner (נר) meaning “flame” or “lamp.” Throughout the Bible, this word has a deeper spiritual meaning. For example, when King David grew old, he was told by his men not to go with them into battle, “so that you do not quench the lamp (ner) of Israel” (2 Samuel 21:17). In the very next chapter, David uttered a magnificent hymn of thanksgiving: “Indeed, you are my lamp (neri), O Lord, the Lord lightens my darkness” (2 Samuel 22:29).
Shine a Light with Hebrew
It should therefore come as no surprise that Jesus referred to himself as the “light of the world” (John 8:12) and preached these words: “If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant…” (Luke 11:36). What is less obvious is that that Jesus uttered these words, not in English, but in Hebrew. Do you want to hear the words of the Bible, just as Jesus did? Enroll in our live, online Biblical Hebrew course and shine a clarifying light on the hidden secrets of the Bible.