The Two Miracles of Hanukkah

MUCH MORE than merely spinning tops and eating potato pancakes, the holiday of Hanukkah marks one of the greatest tales of miraculous salvation for the Jewish people. In truth, Jewish tradition celebrates two miracles on this day. In order to understand these miracles, we must step back into the historical context, the second century BCE. FOLLOWING their return from Babylon, the Jews had succeeded in establishing a stable Jewish monarchy in the Land of Israel. However, after a few centuries, their power began to wane. Soon enough, the Syrian Greek Empire extended its hegemony over the small Jewish state. By the middle of the second century BCE, the Syrian Greek ruler, Antiochus, began to enact a number of discriminatory policies against the Jewish people. CIRCUMCISION and the kosher dietary laws, among others, were outlawed. Under his rule, the Temple in Jerusalem had been violated and vandalized, as well. As Jews began to feel the pressure of this religious persecution, Mattathias and his five sons, soon to be known as the Maccabees, led an insurgency against the Syrian Greek armies. IN THE YEAR 167 BCE, the Jews began to fight back. Over the next couple of years, many battles were fought. Ultimately, the Jews were victorious and succeeded in driving out the foreign armies. Here we have the first miracle of Hanukkah: the victory of the outnumbered Jewish army over the mighty Syrian Greeks. As the Jews returned to the Temple, they were unable to locate the necessary amount of pure olive oil to light the menorah, the golden candelabra. The oil, which was only sufficient for one day, lasted for eight full days, marking the second miracle of this holiday. It is these two miracles that are celebrated annually on Hanukkah. THE MILITARY victory ultimately restored Jewish sovereignty for the next two centuries. Unfortunately, this newly restored Jewish sovereignty did not last forever. In the year 70 CE the Romans conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Jewish temple. For the next two thousand years, the Jewish people remained in exile, hoping and praying for the day to return to their ancient homeland.

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AND THE LAND OF ISRAEL

Political Independence
ON NOVEMBER 29TH, 1947, the United Nations voted in favor of the Partition Plan. This plan granted a sliver of land to the Jewish population upon which to form a Jewish state, and the rest of the land of Israel to the Arab population to form an Arab state. The Jews, grateful to have even a piece of their homeland and the chance for national revival, greeted the news with euphoric excitement. The Arabs refused to recognize the right of the Jews to any piece of the land. Later, in May of 1948, the Jews actualized their moral, historical, and legal rights and declared the formation of the modern State of Israel. Many Arab states responded by attacking the fledgling country, but after a year of fighting armies greater in number and weaponry, the Jewish state persevered, and the State of Israel stood firmly on its own two feet. After nearly 2000 years of exile, the Jews had finally returned home! This was the first of many miracles to come

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AND THE LAND OF ISRAEL

Israel and Hannukah: Connecting the Miracles

THERE IS A DEEP connection between the miracle of Hanukkah and the miraculous rebirth of the State of Israel. It is important to point out that miracles dont always seem so miraculous as they unfold in realtime. Its easy to explain (1) the reestablishment of the Jewish state, (2) the physical revitalization of the land, and (3) the Ingathering as mere coincidences, which is exactly how most of the world would respond.

There are only two groups in the world today who attribute profound religious significance to the miraculous rebirth of the State of Israel: Religious Zionist Jews and Christian Zionists.
After 2,000 years of animosity, persecution and even murder, Jews and Christians are now standing shoulder to shoulder, entering a new era of reconciliation based on our common belief in the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy concerning Israel. Those who recognize Gods role in the miracles taking place today in front of our eyes have a special responsibility to do all we can to help realize the prophetic vision for the complete rebirth of the State of Israel. If we internalize the message of Hanukkah and do everything we can to support Israel, than may God reward our efforts with the complete fulfilment that Israel represents by bringing the Moshiach / Messiah to Jerusalem, speedily in our days, Amen.

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AND THE LAND OF ISRAEL

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