No Judah, No Jesus |
Returning from a recent speaking tour across the U.S., I was overwhelmed by the number of times about which I spoke about the significance of Chanukah to Christians. Chanukah is the Jewish holiday to which Christians arguably are the least connected. Part of it is that it's not one of the big three Biblical pilgrimage holidays – Passover, Shavuot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles). Part of it is that it is celebrated in the late fall and early winter, and overshadowed by Christmas. Even in countries, cultures, and communities where public celebration of Jewish holidays is not verboten, albeit more dangerous, many view Chanukah as a Jewish Christmas.
Many associate the light of Chanukah and different metaphors around that with the light of Jesus. Especially in the world today, and particularly in Israel and pro-Israel audiences since the October 7 Hamas attack and massacre, the idea that one candle, a single light, can cast away the darkness, resonates as we – Jews and Christians – are confronting the same dark, evil enemies.
As I explained in my speaking, Chanukah is primarily a celebration of a military victory by the Jewish Maccabees, led by Judah, and a miracle related to the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Greek invaders desecrated it by sacrificing pigs and erecting idols. The miracle is that the only enough pure oil to kindle the menorah in the Temple was found for one day but lasted for eight days, leading to the symbolic lighting of a Chanukah menorah for eight nights, and eating tasty but unhealthy foods fried in oil.
While these are nice associations, and its often called the Festival of Lights, the significance of Christians........