• Bereshit / Genesis 41:1-44:17
• Zecharya / Zechariah 2:14-4:7
• Korintim Aleph / Corinthians 2:1-5

This week is Chanukah, known in Scripture as the Feast of Dedication (Yochanan [John] 10.22), so I would like to give you a brief teaching on Chanukah.

I am sure you have all heard the story of the miracle of Chanukah. After the Maccabees defeated the superior Syrian army, they proceeded to rededicate the Beit HaMikdash (Temple) which the Syrians defiled with the sacrificing of pigs. The process of cleansing required pure Levitical olive oil for the Menorah (Lamp stand), which was to burn continuously. However, only a small amount of sanctified olive oil was found for the Menorah and it was barely enough to burn for one day. It was also impossible to produce sufficient oil to maintain the burning of the Menorah in less than eight days, but a miracle occurred. The small amount of oil found in the Beit HaMikdash burned for the entire eight days until the new oil was available. Thus the eight days of Chanukah. This miracle is not recorded in Scripture, so whether it is true or not, nobody knows. However there is a bona fide, certifiable miracle which did take place then. Although it took place just prior to Chanukah, there would be no Chanukah today without this miracle. What was it? One faithful, uncompromising man was able to inspire a small band of people to trust G-d. One man took a stand for G-d because he believed it was better to die for the truth than to live a lie. One man, Mattityahu, put G-d’s glory before his own personal gain and he is remembered for it until this day.

Eight is the number of new beginnings. Therefore as you light the eight Chanukah candle this year remember the miracle! One faithful, uncompromising person can make all the difference in the world!

Mark {8:35} For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the Besorah (Good News), the same shall save it.

Happy Chanukah and may the light of Yeshua shine bright in your life.

Categorized: 5765, Chanukah, Jewish Holidays and Festivals, Torah Portion
Tags: aleph, beit hamikdash, chanukah, corinthians, eight days, feast of dedication, genesis, lamp stand, maccabees, miracle, new beginnings, new oil, olive oil, personal gain, pigs, sake, scripture, syrian army, syrians, zechariah