The story of Hanukkah begins with the Greek invasion of the known world. Antiochus IV, a successor of Alexander the Great, was given control of the region. He quickly initiated severe means of persecuting the Jewish population. The persecution ranged from placing a Hellenistic priest in the Temple to prohibiting Jewish religious expression, to outright murder of Jews. What ultimately drove the Jewish people to revolt was the sacrifice of a pig on the Temple’s altar. Two groups opposed Antiochus: a nationalistic group led by Mattathias and his son Judah Maccabee, and a religious group which ended up being the forerunner of the Pharisees. They joined forces in revolt against persecution.
RECIPES
SUFGANIOT
Sufganiot are deep-fried jelly doughnuts that are traditionally eaten during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah…
HANUKKAH COOKIES
What do kids like even more than eating cookies? Making cookies! Mix the dough…
POTATO LATKES
Come on, this potato latkes recipe is way too easy and too delicious to NOT try it! If you’re feeling guilty…
Request your booklet today!
Hanukkah is celebrated beginning on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev. While Christians traditionally give gifts on Christmas, many Jewish people give gifts on all eight nights of Hanukkah!
The eight-day celebration commemorates God saving His people from Antiochus IV – a brutal despot who forbade the Jewish people from practicing their faith. He also desecrated the Temple by carrying out pagan sacrifices there. As legend tells us, after a successful revolt, a single cruse of holy oil burned in the Temple for eight days until more could be procured by the priests of the Temple. Each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, a candle is added until all eight candles of the hanukkiah (candleholder), plus the shamash (servant candle), burn brightly in the windows of Jewish homes throughout the world.
Like most Jewish holidays, Hanukkah has its own special activities and foods. To find out more about Hanukkah, request your booklet today.
Request your free copy of The Gospel According to Hanukkah booklet today.
Lighting of the Menorah
Featured Resources from our Online Store:
Hanukkah Menorah – $25.95
The flickering lights of the nine-branched Hanukkah menorah remind us that God is mighty to save and that Yeshua, Jesus, the Messiah is truly the Light of the World. Hanukkah is truly a time of celebration and now you can own this beautifully crafted 9″ tall Hanukkah menorah from Israel, to place in your window as a statement of your faith and hope in the Messiah of Israel and all the Nations of the world. Price
