DELIBERATELY DIVERSE | Frances Sorrow
“Deliberately Diverse” represents the opinions of Taylor friends who never entirely agree on anything but welcome the opportunity to share and appreciate diverse viewpoints in our beloved community.
Is Hanukkah the Jewish version of Christmas?
The short answer is no, but certain aspects of Hanukkah bring the Christian observance to mind.
What are these aspects? Both sometimes occur around the same time although Hanukkah, being on a lunar calendar, can start from late November to late December.
This year it commences at sundown Sunday, Dec. 14, and ends at sundown Monday, Dec. 22.
Many Jewish families, especially those with children, give presents on most of the eight nights.
From movies, TV and friends, many know some of the customs.
For eight nights we light candles on a ninebranch candle holder, commonly called a menorah. Due to the legend of the single vial of holy oil that miraculously burned for the eight days needed to create new sacred oil, we eat foods fried in oil and we play a gambling game with a top called a dreidel. Stakes are nuts or raisins.
But Hanukkah more closely resembles an ancient Independence Day. Hanukkah is called the Festival of Dedication as well as the Festival of Lights.
What dedication? In 167 B.C., the Syrian-Greek King Antiochus Epiphanes ruled Judea. He allowed statues of pagan gods in the Holy Temple and pig sacrifices on the altar.
In 165 B.C., a priest named Mattathias killed a Jew who was sacrificing to a Greek god. Mattathias rallied his five sons and other followers with the cry, “Let everyone who is zealous for the law, and supports the Covenant, come out with me.”
At his death, leadership went to his son Judah Maccabee. After three years of fighting, Judah and his soldiers recaptured the temple only to find everything polluted. Cleaning began but the altar for burnt offerings was too defiled for cleansing so it had to be torn down.
The soldiers then constructed a new altar.
I originally envisioned something like those in many churches. I was wrong. Exodus 20:25 outlines the requirements: the altar to be built of unworked stones, i.e. never touched with a tool.
1st Chronicles gives dimensions: height-10 cubits, width-32 cubits. This is about 16 feet by 50 feet.
The rebuilding was followed by cleaning or replacing the lamps, curtains, etc. The independence of the country took another 22 years of fighting.
Why do we celebrate the holiday?
Maccabees 4:59 says, “Then Judah and his brothers and the entire assembly of Israel declared that the rededication of the altar should be celebrated with a festival or joy and gladness at the same time each year, beginning on the 25th of Kislev, and lasting for eight days.”
Happy holidays to all.
Sorrow is a longtime resident.
