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Jerry Golden
PO Box 10268 Jerusalem 91102 Israel Copyright 2016, Jerry Golden & The Golden Report. |
Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
Showing posts with label Feast of Dedication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Feast of Dedication. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Hanukkah - Jerry Golden, The Golden Report
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
"I've crossed the point of no return!" - ONE FOR ISRAEL
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Sunday, December 13, 2015
The Light of Israel Will Not Go Out! | Charles Gardner ISRAEL TODAY
The Light of Israel Will Not Go Out!
Sunday, December 13, 2015 |
Charles Gardner ISRAEL TODAY
Fond memories of my time in Jerusalem during the Hanukkah festival two years ago have come flooding back this week. I remember well the colourful light displays amidst a carnival atmosphere as the nine-branched menorah was lit at restaurants, malls and other meeting places around the city, though I suspect there is a mood of caution and anxiety this year in view of the spate of terror attacks on individual Jews innocently going about their daily routine.
The festival of course marks God’s intervention during the reign of the ruthless Syrian-Greek emperor Antiochus Epiphanes who desecrated the Jewish Temple by sacrificing a pig there and blasphemously proclaimed himself God. Judah Maccabee led a brave and successful revolt against the tyrant in 139 BC and re-established temple worship (Hanukkah means ‘dedication’) with the aid of the menorah which burned miraculously for eight days despite having only enough oil for a day. The Greeks had polluted the rest.
In an apparent reference to the festival (not a biblical feast as such), Jesus said: “I am the light of the world.” (John 8.12) And in that respect at least, the eight-day festival’s proximity to Christmas is entirely apt.
So how much has changed over the past two thousand-plus years? Not a lot, except that Israel has survived repeated attempts at genocide. But they will _not _be wiped out, as Iran and the various Islamist terror groups have pledged to do. Indeed, the spirit of Antiochus lives on as enemies from the same region are still bent on Israel’s destruction. Politicians need to understand that it isn’t just about ISIS and their evil plans; they are part of a network of terror groups all with the same aim – to wipe out Israel. The Hamas charter states that Israel will only exist “until Islam abolishes it” and that “There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad.”
The current Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, has yet to condemn a single one of the many murders of Israelis during the recent months of terror on the streets of Jerusalem and elsewhere in the Jewish state. He tells the international community he is against terror while describing the multiple stabbings and shootings as a “peaceful uprising”. So when Arab Palestinians kill Israeli parents in front of their children, it is not to be condemned as terror because it is an expression of “peace”. What sort of crazy, upside-down world are we living in? And Abbas has openly admitted calling for this violence that he describes as peaceful. Should he not be arrested for incitement to murder?
The response to all this from the wider world is equally topsy-turvy. Britain has sanctioned air strikes against ISIS in Syria, but has repeatedly condemned Israel for taking forceful military action against terror groups out to destroy them. Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn was against such action (in Syria) and, for once, I agree with him as it will only further stir up a hornet’s nest.
The ultimate hypocrisy comes from the United Nations, originally set up to ensure lasting world peace but effectively making things worse with a never-ending series of condemnatory resolutions against Israel while ignoring the many dictatorial regimes where human rights hardly exist, much less democracy. Following the terror outrage in Mali, the UN offered its “full support”, but in the case of Israel has offered none. This international body is a sick joke.
But have no fear! The Bible makes it clear that the God of Israel will ultimately triumph over his foes. While preparing for my first book on this subject, Israel the Chosen, I was very nearly wiped out too, but God miraculously delivered me! I was still working as a sports editor by day, and under quite some stress at the time, so I spent my lunch-break at the imposing Selby Abbey (nearly a thousand years old) where I prayed and then wandered up the aisle to read the pulpit Bible, which was opened at the Book of Revelation chapter 12 – a passage about ‘the woman and the dragon’. It’s a picture of how the devil tried to kill the baby Jesus, but the infant was snatched from his grasp. It also proved to be a prophecy of what the rest of the day had in store for me as I had a serious car crash on the way home, with the entire driver’s side front wing of the car ripped off. But I escaped without a scratch. The dragon had set a trap for my doom, but the Lord was watching over me. I was working on a book dedicated to the spiritual re-birth of Israel, and the devil was determined to stop me in my tracks.
In the same way, Israel is hemmed in on all sides and under severe pressure, with terror threats on a daily basis, but Elohim has the last word. For there will come a day when he “will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem”. (Zechariah 12.9)
But as always with the Lord, justice is mixed with mercy – as Naaman discovered at another time in Israel’s history. He was commander of the King of Syria’s army – “a mighty man of valour”, but also a leper. A young Jewish girl, who had been taken captive on one of the Syrian raids, took pity on her master, saying that the man of God (Elisha) could heal him of his leprosy. He took up her suggestion and, after he had obeyed Elisha’s instruction to wash himself in the Jordan seven times, “his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy” (2 Kings 5.14), at which point he declared: “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.”
We too should desire the same mercy for our enemies as God showed to Naaman. And even though modern Israel has not yet fully returned to the Lord as a nation, many are displaying the compassionate attributes of our God – like the Israeli doctors on the Golan Heights who treat wounded Syrian soldiers and those who carry out life-saving surgery on Arab children with heart defects.
So we must pray that both mercy and justice will prevail, and that the mass of humanity that is so utterly confused and perturbed by a world full of violence will call out on Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and declare as Naaman did: “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.” (2 Kings 5.15)
Charles Gardner is author of Israel the Chosen, available from Amazon, and Peace in Jerusalem, available from olivepresspublisher.com
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Tuesday, December 8, 2015
How to Light the Hanukkah Menorah - Ariela Pelaia
Hanukkah Menorah
Instructions for Lighting Your Hanukkah Menorah
Ariela Pelaia
Judaism Expert
Lighting the Hanukkah menorah (also called a Hanukkiyah) is the most important part of celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The menorah reminds us of the miracle of the Hanukkah lights, when only one day worth of oil burned for eight days after the Maccabees reclaimed the holy Temple.
Below are instructions for lighting the menorah during the holiday of Hanukkah. In order to do the lighting ceremony you will need:
A Hanukkah menorah (Hanukkiyah)
Candles that will fit in your menorah’s candle slots
Matches
Lighting the Menorah on the First Night of Hanukkah
On the first night of Hanukkah and on all other nights during the holiday, the middle candle (called a shamash) is lit first. The shamash does not count as one of the Hanukkah candles, but is used to light all the other candles. You can learn more about this tradition in: What Is a Hanukkiyah?
Families usually light their Hanukkah menorah directly or soon after nightfall. If Hanukkah begins on Shabbat, the Hanukkiyah should be lit just before sundown.
Place a candle in the rightmost position on your menorah.
Now hold the shamash and recite the following blessings:
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, she’asah nisim l’avoteinu, b’yamim haheim bazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who made miracles for our forefathers in those days at this time.
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, shehekheyanu, v’kiyamanu vehegianu lazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this season.
Note that you can see Sephardic/Modern Israeli versions of these blessings in: Hanukkah Candle Lighting Blessings.
After these blessings are said the shamash is lit and the first Hanukkah candle (the one you placed in the rightmost position of your menorah) is kindled using the flame from the shamash. Place the shamash in its place on your menorah. (Usually there will be a special spot for it in the middle of your menorah.)
Lighting the Menorah on All Other Nights of Hanukkah
During all other nights of Hanukkah begin by placing your candles in your menorah from right to left. Not counting the shamash, the number of Hanukkah candles in your menorah should match the night of Hanukkah.
For instance, if it is the 5th night of Hanukkah you would place 5 Hanukkah candles in your menorah.
Light the shamash first, then kindle the remaining candles from left to right. This is the reverse order of how the candles were placed in your Hanukkiyah, so the last candle you put in the menorah should be lit first. Learn more about this custom of lighting from left to right in: What Is a Hanukkiyah?
As you light the candles recite the following two blessings:
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, she’asah nisim l’avoteinu, b’yamim haheim bazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who made miracles for our forefathers in those days at this time.
After the candles are lit place the shamash in its place on your menorah.
Singing Songs and Playing Dreidel After Lighting the Menorah
Many families like to sing Hanukkah songs after lighting their menorah. You can find many Hanukkah songs along with their lyrics and sample melodies in: Favorite Hanukkah Songs.
Another favorite tradition is playing the dreidel game after lighting the Hanukkah candles. You can learn more about the dreidel and how to play this game in: How to Play the Dreidel Game.
References: "Celebrate! The Complete Jewish Holidays Handbook" by Lesli Koppelman Ross. Jason Aronson, Inc.: Northvale, 1994.
Source: About Religion
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Happy Hanukkah!
Yeshua's blessings...
from our home to yours.
Steve & Laurie Martin
Love For His People, Inc.
Happy Hanukkah From Our Home To Yours! - Love For His People
Yeshua (Jesus), the Light of the World,
celebrated Hanukkah,
the Festival of Lights,
the Feast of Dedication.
He draws all men to Him.
With the start of Hanukkah
tonight, Dec. 6, 2015,
we send a special blessing
on each head of our friends
in Israel and around the world!
Happy Chanukkah!
Steve & Laurie Martin
Friday, December 4, 2015
Feast of Dedication - Hanukkah - Festival of Lights by Mary Fairchild
Photo by Steve Martin - our home Hanukiah (Hanukkah menorah)
Feast of Dedication
Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah, Festival of Lights
Mary Fairchild, About Religion
Christianity Expert
Feast of Dedication - Hanukkah - Festival of Lights:
The Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah, is a Jewish holiday. It is also known as the Festival of Lights. We will look at the Feast of Dedication from a Christian perspective, explaining its biblical basis, traditional observances, seasons, facts, and an interesting section revealing the fulfillment of the Messiah, Jesus Christ through the feast.
Time of Observance: Hanukkah is celebrated during the Hebrew month of Kislev (November or December). It begins on day 25 of Kislev and lasts for 8 days.
• See Bible Feasts Calendar for actual dates.
Scripture Reference: The story of Hanukkah is recorded in the First Book of Maccabees, which is part of the Apocrypha. The Feast of Dedication is mentioned in the New Testament Book of John, chapter 10, verse 22.
About the Feast of Dedication: Prior to the year 165 BC, the Jewish people who dwelled in Judea where living under the rule of the Greek kings of Damascus. During this time Seleucid King Antiochus Epiphanes, the Greco-Syrian king, took control of the Temple in Jerusalem and forced the Jewish people to abandon their worship of God, their holy customs and reading of the Torah, and he made them bow down to the Greek gods.
According to the records, this King Antiochus IV defiled the Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar and spilling its blood on the holy scrolls of Scripture.
As a result of the severe persecution and pagan oppression, a group of four Jewish brothers, led by Judah Maccabee, decided to raise up an army of religious freedom fighters. These men of fierce faith and loyalty to God became known as the Maccabees.
The small band of warriors fought for three years with "strength from heaven" until achieving a miraculous victory and deliverance from the Greco-Syrian control.
After regaining the Temple, it was cleansed by the Maccabees, cleared of all Greek idolatry, and readied for rededicated. The rededication of the Temple to the Lord took place in the year 165 BC, on the 25th day of the Hebrew month called Kislev.
So Hanukkah received its name, the Feast of Dedication, because it celebrates the Maccabees' victory over Greek oppression and the rededication of the Temple. But Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, and this is because immediately following the miraculous deliverance, God provided another miracle of provision.
In the Temple, the eternal flame of God was to be lit at all time as a symbol of God's presence. But according to tradition, when the Temple was rededicated, there was only enough oil left in the Temple to burn the flame for one day. The rest of the oil had been defiled by the Greeks during their invasion, and it would take a week for new oil to be processed and purified. But at the rededication, the Maccabees went ahead and lit the eternal flame with the remaining supply of oil, and God's Holy presence caused it to burn miraculously for eight days, until the new sacred oil was ready.
This is why the feast is also called the Festival of Lights, and why the Hanukkah Menorah is lit for eight consecutive nights of celebration. Jews also commemorate this miracle of oil provision by making oil-rich foods, such as Latkas, an important part of Hanukkah celebrations.
• Learn more about Hanukkah traditions and celebrations.
Jesus and the Feast of Dedication: John 10: 22-23 records, "Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade." (NIV) As a Jew, Jesus most certainly would have participated in the Feast of Dedication.
The same courageous spirit of the Maccabees who remained faithful to God during intense persecution was passed on to Jesus' disciples who would all face severe trails because of their faithfulness to Christ. And like the miracle of God's presence expressed through the eternal flame of God burning for the Maccabees, Jesus became the incarnate, physical expression of God's presence, the Light of the World, who came to dwell among us and give us the eternal light of God's life.
More Facts About Hanukkah
Hanukkah is traditionally a family celebration.
The lighting of the Menorah is the center of the Hanukkah traditions.
Fried and oily foods are a reminder of the miracle of the oil.
Dreidel games are traditionally played by children and often the whole household during Hanukkah.
Probably because of Hanukkah's proximity to Christmas, many Jews give gifts during the holiday.
More about Hanukkah.
Source: Bible Feasts
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