Feast of Dedication

Feast of Dedication - in Hebrew the word for dedication is Chanukkah (spelled many different ways)


"Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.  And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch."  John 10:22-23


"The Feast of Dedication is celebrated during eight days from the twenty-fifth day of the Jewish month of Kislev (during December), chiefly as a festival of lights. It was instituted by Judas Maccabeus, his brothers, and the elders of the congregation of Israel, in the year 165 B.C., to be celebrated annually with joy as a memorial of the dedication of the altar and of the purification of the sanctuary. Three years earlier, on the same day, Antiochus Epiphanes had caused a pagan altar to be set up at the altar of burnt offerings in the Temple at Jerusalem, and sacrifices to be offered to his idol called Zeus Olympius.  A miracle was said to have occurred at the dedication of the purified Temple. This was that the one small cruse of consecrated oil found unpolluted by the Hasmonean priests when they entered the Temple, it having been sealed and hidden away, lasted for eight days until new oil could be prepared for the lamps."


It's hard to believe, but this was our 3rd Chanukkah (and Christmas) in Jerusalem in a row!  In 2009 we were here doing our "spy out the Land" trip to see what opportunities there were to serve the people of Israel.  We arrived in 2010 during Chanukkah, and 2011 was our 3rd celebration!

Oil lamps are most common in Israel rather than candlesticks, 

especially since the miracle occurred with olive oil.

Lighting both an oil Chanukkiah and one with candles

 at our new apartment on the first night of Chanukkah.

Many of the street light posts had Chanukkiahs lit on them.

Day seven at our home.

We decided we liked the oil lamps the best.

We went to the Old City of Jerusalem on the last night to see the lighting of the Chanukkiah at Jaffa Gate.  There were so many tour groups walking through the city - it was packed with people!

Just inside Jaffa Gate

Doughnuts - sufganiyot are one of the holiday foods, along with 

potato pancakes - latkes, because they are cooked in oil.

Fire twirler in the Jewish Quarter.

Singers in the Jewish Quarter.

In the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, many residents place their 

Chanukkiahs outside for all to enjoy. 

In the courtyard of the Jewish Quarter.

Chanukkiah at the Kotel - Western Wall.

A little before 7 pm we headed back up to Jaffa Gate for the lighting scheduled for 7:30.  There were so many people in the Old City, we didn't want to chance being late and missing it, so we didn't even stop to grab a bite to eat - except the free doughnuts being handed out on Jaffa Road :) When we arrived, they didn't seem to be getting ready yet, but there were many people around.  We waited and waited as it got colder and colder...At about 8:15 they started setting up a sound system, and the truck with with the lift for the lighting got into place.  At 8:30, the party began!

View from a distance.

The singing of the blessings before lighting the Chanukkiah.

The Rabbi is in the lift lighting the Chanukkiah.

It was quite a joyous occasion for everyone.

There were taxis that had lit Chanukkiahs on their rooftops.

Last night of lighting the oil lamps and candles.  

We will miss doing this every night, but look forward to next year in Jerusalem!

As the year 2011 was coming to a close and we look ahead to the year 2012, we hold Jesus -  Yeshua, as the Light within our hearts.  He is the Light that came into this fallen world to redeem mankind, and to defeat the darkness.  

As we choose to dedicate our lives, our temple,  to Him, we know He will perform within us a miracle of oil by the Holy Spirit.  We have realized over the past year that many times it feels like we only have enough oil to last us for one day.  But when we trust in Jesus - Yeshua, He will fill our cup to over flowing, with more than enough.  Psalm 23

Last night (December 31st) we attended a gathering to remember God's faithfulness during the past year.  During the opening prayer, the pastor thanked God for keeping each of us alive through the year.  I hadn't considered that, but in a place with as much contention as Israel, especially Jerusalem, it's a valid prayer.


Someone else exhorted us to remember where God had brought each of us - and for what purpose.  To seek Him for His plan for the next year, for why has He brought us here for "such a time as this". 


"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 1:17


There is a very important Jewish prayer that is read at key seasons in life, including the first night of Chanukkah.  As the last year ends, and a new one begins, we give thanks to our Father who cares for us - in the small things and the big ones.

Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam She-heche-ya-nu

 Ve-ki-yi-ma-nu Ve-higi-a-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, 

who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to 

reach this season. Amen