H anukkah

1. Hanukkah Andrew Perry, Bartholomew Zavacky, Wiz Paulifa Wiles, Henry Mock, and Mick McGuire

2. Origin of Hanukkah A.P. • Antiochus IV, a new Syrian king who came to power in 175 B.C.E ordered all Jewish people to become Greek. • When the Jews failed to convert quickly enough, he burned their books, banned their holidays and killed those who would not bow down to Zeus. • Most, but not all Jews decided to fight back against the Syrian soldiers who were restraining them.

3. Origin of Hanukkah A.P. • The fighting began when Mattathias, a well respected Jewish scribe and priest with his 5 sons were asked to participate in a Greek worshipping of Zeus in front of a holy temple for Jews with the village crowd of Modi’in nearby. • When Mattathias refused, a villager stepped in his place which angered Mattathias and his sons to a point which they drew out their swords and killed the Syrian officer and the villager which caused chaos in the city. • Mattathiaswith his sons and followers, called the Maccabees, fled the scene into the mountains to plan their attack on Antiochus.

4. Origin of Hanukkah A.P. • The Maccabees fought with sticks and stones but ultimately won the war against the superior Syrian army by no less than the help of a miracle. • On the twenty-fifth of Kislev, 165 B.C.E, the Maccabees returned to their beloved temple only to find it destroyed with the large Zeus statue still standing. • What upset them the most was that there was only one day of oil left for the menorah, which was supposed to burn continuously.

5. PURPOSE Of Hanukkah H.M. • Hanukkah or “the festival of lights” commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem • Candles are lit to renew faith in the ultimate triumph of peace over war. • The celebration of Hanukkah is to welcome the spiritual reconciliation that the Messiah brings.

6. PURPOSE Of Hanukkah H.M. • The Hanukkah menorah holds nine candles, one for each of the eight nights and an additional candle that’s used to light the others. • The ninth candle holder, is called the shamash or ("helper"/ "servant"). • When the oil was burned inside the purified temple, it lasted for eight days which is why Hanukkah is eight days long.

7. Passages in Hebrew and Christian Scripture A.Z. • "Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade.” • (John 10:22-23) • Hanukkah can also be referred to as the Feast of Dedication. This Bible passage also sets the precedent for the celebration to take place in the winter (Nov./Dec.).

8. Passages in Hebrew and Christian Scripture A.Z. • “On the 25th of Kislev are the days of Chanukah, which are eight... these were appointed as a Festival with Hallel [prayers of praise] and thanksgiving.” • (Shabbat 21b, Babylonian Talmud) • This is a precursor and history of the creation of Hanukkah, which the passage states should include prayers of praise and thanksgiving.

9. Passages in Hebrew and Christian Scripture A.Z. • Another Scripture passage that leads to Hanukkah is 2 Maccabees 10, which defines the feast itself and the actions taken throughout the feast. • It highlights the “lighting of the lamps” and to “set out the showbread”. • The time is also defined as the “25th of the same month of Chislev” and that the celebration lasts for “eight days”.

10. HANUKKAH

11. Similarities between Hanukkah and Christmas M.M. • Hanukkah and Christmas both occur around the same time of year naturally convening them for comparison. • Both are celebrated with the giving and receiving gifts. • Both incorporate the “kindling of light” (Christmas trees during Christmas and the Menorah during Hanukkah) and the image of the Tree of Life.

12. Differences between Hanukkah and Christmas M.M. • Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days while Christmas only lasts for one day. • Hanukkah is a minor Jewish festival while Christmas is one of the main two Christian festivals. • Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus while Hanukkah celebrates the Jewish victory against the Syrian overlords in Israel .

13. Sacraments Related to Hanukkah P.W. • Hanukkah relates to many Christian sacraments • Most people immediately relate it to Christmas • One of the most prominent sacraments one can relate Hanukkah to is Baptism.

14. Sacraments Related to Hanukkah P.W. • In the same way that the Maccabees cleansed their temple of unfaithful desires, Baptism cleanses us of our unfaithful desire of Original Sin. • This cleansing gave them a chance to start over in a new life of faith and worship just like the way Baptism allows us to be born anew in a life of God. • This relation is ever more growing because of the vast importance of Baptism as a sacrament.

15. Sacraments Related to Hanukkah P.W. • As Baptism cleanses us of our Original Sin, the temptation of concupiscence still remains. • With no worldly person or faith being perfect, the Jewish people of God have had their temptations that have come along with their “cleansing”. • The “cleansing” of both the temple and our souls has united people of the Church together in a one-handed mission to know and love God more wholeheartedly.

16. Sacraments Related to Hanukkah P.W. • When someone is dying they may choose to receive the sacrament of anointing of the sick • When someone is anointed a priest comes to visit them in the hospital or in their home to cleanse them of their sins one final time • This once again relates to the cleansing of the temple