The Feast of Dedication = Another Tradition

This historical event has come to be known as Chanukkah and is not one of our Creator's set apart times so it is not necessary to partake of the modern day festivities associated with it.  Many see it today as the 'Jewish Christmas' because of the traditions added to it and it's proximity to Dec. 25th. The Feast of Dedication is only mentioned one time in Scriptures, noting the time of year and what was taking place while Y'shua was walking and teaching on the porch at the Temple in Jerusalem, as he was accustomed to do. Many like to say that Y'shua was celebrating this feast day but in one of my studies I have concluded this was not the case. (See link at the bottom of this page).

Quote from the Jewish Virtual Library:

A successor of Alexander, Antiochus IV was in control of the region. He began to oppress the Jews severely, placing a Hellenistic priest in the Temple, massacring Jews, prohibiting the practice of the Jewish religion, and desecrating the Temple by requiring the sacrifice of pigs on the altar. Two groups opposed Antiochus: a basically nationalistic group led by Mattathias the Hasmonean and his son Judah Maccabee, and a religious traditionalist group known as the Chasidim, the forerunners of the Pharisees. They joined forces in a revolt against both the assimilation of the Hellenistic Jews and oppression by the Selucid Greek government. The revolution succeeded and the Temple was rededicated.

According to tradition as recorded in the Talmud, at the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks. Oil was needed for the menorah in the Temple, which was supposed to burn throughout the night every night. There was only enough oil to burn for one day, yet miraculously, it burned for eight days. An eight day festival was declared to commemorate this miracle.

Chanukkah is not a very important religious holiday. The holiday's religious significance is far less than that of Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover, and Shavu'ot. Chanukkah is not mentioned in Jewish scripture; the story is related in the book of the Maccabees.

There are those who believe Chanukkah is important in another way. It has been proposed that Antiochus Epiphanes represents the people, you and me, and Judah Maccabee represents Y'shua.  Maybe someone came up with this connection and it seemed to fit their learning curve at the time, but really, take a closer look at Antiochus, who had a statue of Zeus and one of himself placed inside the Temple and commanded sacrifices be made to them. This is more inline with what will happen three and half years into the final seven years of life as we know it on this earth: Satan possesses the final world leader, enters the 'holy of holies' and declares himself 'god'.  The image of the beast is set up and all are commanded to worship it. This is part of what Y'shua tells us according to Daniel's prophecy about the 'abomination of desolation' that enters the set apart place. It is a warning for us to heed concerning the end times scenario. 

Judah Maccabee (the hammer) was behind the actions which purged the temple of Hellenistic cult paraphernalia including the statues of Zeus and Antiochus Ephiphanes; reconstructed the sanctuary according to Torah prescriptions and reconsecrated it to the worship of YHWH [Dec. 164 BC]. The festival of Channukah was later instituted to commemorate this triumph.

Someone is trying to make a good excuse for keeping the tradition of celebrating Chanukkah, ignoring the historical/prophetical events while at the same time thinking they are honoring YHWH. This idea comes from man's imagination and is not supported by Scriptures, which should always be the foundation in any research and study. Personally, I cannot see a connection between me and Antiochus Epiphanes nor would I desire to be grouped in with him. He was an abomination and I am not. I admit I once was a carnal Gentile before I came into covenant with YHWH Elohim, but now I am learning right from wrong as I abide by His Instructions. As for desecrating any temple and thinking I was a god-dess.... nope, not the case.  And I think it is a stretch comparing Judah the Hammer with Y'shua the Messiah who told his Apostles the temple they admired would be torn down and replaced spiritually. 

Many of us have gotten sidelined once or twice while in the study of Scriptures when we let our imaginations take the lead with those 'what if' scenarios, while searching for 'deeper meanings'.  

Click Here for my study on Tradition

Click Here for my study on Pagan Origins

then scroll down past 'Easter' for info about Chanukkah

Click Here for my study on Deeper Meanings

Tradition

YHWH has told us to remember and observe His Set Apart times for us: 

Passover/Unleavened Bread, Feast of the Harvest/Weeks (Shavuot/Pentecost), Day of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles (Leviticus 23). 

These are not 'Jewish Holidays' as there were no such people back in that day -- His People were Hebrews and the mixed multitude that came with them out of Egypt. Jewish Holidays are the man made traditions of celebrating Hanukkah and Purim for example. 

Quoted from Judaism 101: 

Chanukkah is probably one of the best known Jewish holidays, not because of any great religious significance, but because of its proximity to Christmas. Many non-Jews (and even many assimilated Jews!) think of this holiday as the Jewish Christmas, adopting many of the Christmas customs, such as elaborate gift-giving and decoration. It is bitterly ironic that this holiday, which has its roots in a revolution against assimilation and the suppression of Jewish religion, has become the most assimilated, secular holiday on our calendar. (end quote). 

The Chanukkah tradition, as recorded in the Talmud: at the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks. Oil was needed for the menorah in the Temple, which was supposed to burn throughout the night every night. There was only enough oil to burn for one day, yet miraculously, it burned for eight days, the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of oil for the menorah. An eight day festival was declared to commemorate this miracle of the oil.

(note: the Talmud is a collection of oral tradition of Torah interpretation according to Rabbinic Judaism.)

Our Creator was never about religions. His perfect governing system was for our health and well being, fair and just. Remembering important events is not the issue - it's the celebrations of them year after year as holidays that goes against what God said especially when His appointments for us are ignored by most.