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חֲנֻכָּה ‎ Hanukkah (Feast of the Dedication of the Temple)

This eight-day festival commemorates the rededication of the temple in 164 BC. B.C., having previously been desecrated and desecrated by the Syrian king Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This can be found in the first book of Maccabees, in the history book of Flavius Josephus and can be looked up in the Talmud (the oral tradition).

 

Hanukkah" is also known as the "Festival of Lights". Because in the newly consecrated temple, a small vessel with oil for a day is said to have burned for eight days through a miracle of God. That is why the Jews light an eight-armed candlestick (special "Hanukkah candlestick") every day. ) a light on.

 

For the Jews who believe in Christ , the focus of this festival is Jesus Christ . You see the middle candle as our servant Jesus, who served us through his sacrificial death.

Jesus himself celebrated this festival and stayed in the temple (John 10:22f). During one such feast he was also asked the Messiah question.

For Messianic Jews and Christians  Hanukkah has a messianic meaning: Jesus as the Messiah is the true light of the world. We long for the day when the entire Jewish people will come to a living faith in Jesus the Messiah and experience the fulfillment of Isaiah 60:1-2: " Arise, shine! For your light is coming, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. For behold, darkness covers the earth and blindness the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you, and his glory appears upon you ."

פּוּרִים
Purim

hammas cookies

The last feast of the biblical year is based on the Book of Esther, chapter 9, in the Old Testament. It recounts the surrender of the people of Israel to a merciless enemy, Haman, who wields power over many nations and countries. Even today, the powerful and the powerless have all the means (weapons) at their disposal to not only exterminate the small nation of Israel, but also all of humanity. Even the church of Jesus is increasingly threatened and, in some cases, cruelly persecuted by anti-Christian individuals and powers.

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On the 13th of the twelfth month (February/March), the Jews waged a battle of salvation and redemption against their enemies, and on the 14th of the twelfth month, they rested from it. Therefore, this day is considered a day of joy and feasting. A service is held in the synagogue on this occasion, which is usually not overly solemn; the entire event is aimed at joy. The Feast Scroll of the Book of Esther is also read aloud. Whenever the name Haman is mentioned, the children present are encouraged to make as much noise as possible with hoots, rattles, and clappers (Yiddish: grägger).

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Jews and Christians today must endure the wrath of their enemies to a far greater degree than in the time of the bloodthirsty Jew-hater Haman (Esther 3). But just as he and his sons could not exterminate the Jews back then, but were themselves cruelly executed, so too will Satan's men and powers of today be unable to destroy either Israel or the Church of Jesus. At his return, Christ will triumph over all his enemies and lead Israel and the Church of Christ into a bright and secure future.

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Seven Obligations of Purim

  1. A complete reading of the Book of Esther before the congregation. When Haman's name is mentioned, the listeners rattle their clappers; during this time, the reader waits until silence is restored.

  2. Sending at least one gift containing two different foods to a loved one or friend on the day of the holiday.

  3. Giving at least one gift each to two poor people, usually monetary gifts.

  4. Reading the Torah.

  5. Saying "On the Miracles" during prayer and grace before meals.

  6. During the festive meals, scholars believe that one must drink so much wine that one can no longer distinguish between "Cursed be Haman" and "Blessed be Mordechai"; Haman bags are eaten during this time.

  7. Mourning speeches and fasting are forbidden on the holiday.

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