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Hanukkah Dates for 2024

By tradition, Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the month Kislev. According to the website When is the New Moon, whenisthenewmoon.com the corresponding date of December 2nd 2024, was when the new moon for Kislev was sighted. Thus, the first day of Kislev began at sunset on December 2.

For more on Yahovah Elohim's Calendar please visit whose calendar

The first night of Hanukkah will begin at sunset on Thursday December 26th, 2024. The eighth night will begin at sunset on January 2, 2025.

Hanukkah - The Feast of Dedication

“At that time the Ḥanukkah (Dedication) came to be

in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), and it was winter.

And יֵשׁוּצַ (Yeshua) was walking in the Set-apart

Place, in the porch of Shelomoh (Solomon).”

Yohanan (John) 10:22-23

This particular Feast is not mentioned by name anywhere else in the Bible, but does that take away its significance? Obviously, there must be a reason this is mentioned in the Scriptures.

“All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and profitable for

teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness.” Timotiyos Bet (2 Timothy) 3:16

Hanukkah is also known as The Feast of Dedication. Perhaps you may have heard of it by another title, The Festival of Lights. But whatever term is used, this Feast commemorates the victorious stand of Yisra’elite patriots against their oppressors, and the re-dedication of the Temple in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem).

Although there are many Followers of the Messiah that comprehend and celebrate Hanukkah, there is an even greater number of people that profess Christ as Lord; that do not understand the meaning of the Festival of Lights, or its significance in reference to the Messiah.

The purpose of this teaching is designed to show and clarify that relationship.

As recorded in Wayyiqra (Leviticus) in the Bible, Elohim established Holy Days and Feasts that His people were to honor and celebrate at certain times of the year. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions held by professing Christians pertaining to these Holy days.

One of the questions that may arise, is that if a follower of Messiah does practice the Feasts as described in the Old Testament, are they being brought under the Law? Just because something comes from the Old Testament, does that make it of no consequence to someone who proclaims to be a Christian? Another question might be whether those who are not “Jewish”, but followers of the Messiah; should honor and/or even observe these Feasts as dictated in scripture. There seems to be much confusion concerning these issues.

Inevitably, this scripture from Galatiyim (Galatians) will be quoted to “back up” the assertion that Followers of Messiah Yeshua should not endeavor to honor the Feasts.

“Knowing that a man is not declared right by works of Torah,

but through belief in יֵשׁוּצ Messiah, even we have believed in Messiah יֵשׁוּצ, in order to be declared right by belief in Messiah

and not by works of Torah, because by works of Torah no

flesh shall be declared right.” Galatiyim 2:1

But the term the Law is an incorrect translation of the word Torah. Torah means instruction, not law; and refers to the first 5 books of the Bible.

While Hanukkah is only mentioned once in Scripture, reinforcing this confusion are many of the supposed leaders in modern Christianity. One such example is Perry Stone, author and television host that preaches about the Hebrew or “Jewish Roots” of Christianity. Stone's book Breaking the Jewish Code quotes a rabbi that proclaimed Hanukkah is a Jewish Christmas. Yet, Mr. Stone does not refute or challenge this opinion in his book! Which by deduction, would tend to lend credence to the claim, and his support for this view.

In 2009, on his official ministry website, The Voice of Evangelism; a typical Gregorian calendar was shown. The Hebrew festivals of Passover and Hanukkah were annotated on the display. The dates for Easter and Christmas were also listed; noting that both the Hebrew Holy days, and the Christian holidays, happened almost simultaneously. That same year his wife wrote:

"To me, [Christmas] is the same [as Hanukkah]. We choose to

honor His birth by tradition and custom at this season.”

Hanukkah does tend to fall during the same time of year as Christmas, as do many Winter Solstice celebrations; religious or otherwise. It is customary to give gifts during all of these celebrations – but any and all similarity ends there! So, the question must be asked; is the celebration of Hanukkah a Jewish Christmas as the rabbi claimed? This could not be farther from the truth! The celebration of Hanukkah in no way reflects the deception of the rites, and rituals, surrounding Christmas.

The History of Hanukkah

In the second century B.C., the land of Yisra’el was under the dominion of the Grecian – Syrian Kingdom. It was during this time that King Antiochus IV attempted to force the Yisra’elites to worship the false gods he followed, and surrender to the rites of sun god worship.

There is a gap of time in the Bible that takes place between the Book of Mal’aki (Malachi), and the Gospel of Mattithyahu (Matthew). It was during this time that Yisra'elite patriots won a great victory over Antiochus. Determined NOT to let the corruption of the false gods of the Grecian influenced Syrians overtake their belief in Yehovah Elohim, or their society as a whole; the Yisrael'ites launched a revolt against their oppressors.

While the Feast of Dedication is mentioned in the New Testament scriptures, the full account can be found in the Books of Maccabees. These books are contained in the Apocrypha. Although the Apocrypha is not considered inspired scripture, that does not take away its historical value.

It is from this description that the story of the Hebrew patriots and their Syrian adversaries is told! About 200 years before the birth of the Messiah, the Hebrew's were under the reign of Seleucid, the King of Syria. They lived in relative peace, and were allowed to worship Yehovah Elohim according to their own beliefs and customs.

But this all changed in 175 B.C., when Antiochus IV ascended the throne! He did not agree with the Hebrews worship - or their God; and his design was to gradually change the Yisra’elites adherence to Yehovah; and turn them to the false gods he venerated.

Historical evidence shows that Antiochus was a tyrannical despot, terrorizing those he ruled. He harbored a fierce hatred for the Yisra’elites and Yehovah! Over time; he looted the Temple and massacred multitudes of the Yisra’elites that refused to bow to the false gods he worshipped. Eventually, he completely outlawed the religious practices of Judaism. In order to stop the Hebrews from following the Commandments of Yehovah Elohim concerning sacrifice; he desecrated their Temple! He did so by sacrificing pigs on the altar. Why did he use pigs? Because he knew that pigs are unclean according to Torah!

“And the pig, though it has a split hoof, completely divided,

yet does not chew the cud, it is unclean to you. Their flesh

you do not eat, and their carcasses you do not touch.

They are unclean to you.” Wayyiqra 11:7-8

“Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.”

Debarim (Deuteronomy) 14:3

Antiochus believed he could convince the Hebrews to change their ways through intimidation and violent coercion.

"...(Antiochus) put many of (Jerusalem’s) inhabitants to death most

cruelly. He had soldiers enter the Jewish Temple and slaughter a pig

(which is impure by the Jewish law) on the altar of the Lord. They set

the pig ablaze and then took the meat and tried to make some Jewish

men eat it. The men refused and he cut their tongues out, scalped them,

cut off their hands and feet, and burnt them on the altar of the Lord."1

Not content with defiling the altar, he set up an idol in the midst of their most Holy place of worship. In 167 B.C. he ordered a statue of the Greek god Zeus Olympias be erected in the Hebrew Temple. Zeus is the Grecian name for the Babylonian sun god, Ba'al Shamayim. The Tanakh (Old Testament) is filled with descriptions of how Yehovah Elohim views the worship of Ba'al.

“And Eliyahu (Elijah) said to them, ‘Seize the prophets of

Ba‛al! Do not let one of them escape!’ So they seized them,

and Eliyahu brought them down to the wadi Qishon and

slew them there.” Melakim Aleph ( 1 Kings) 18:40

One of the priests of the Temple was a man named Mattathias Hasmonea. It was he that ignited the spark that led to the rebellion against Antiochus. But soon after the revolt began, Mattathias died. His son Yehudah (Judah) took up the mantle and became the leader of the uprising. His fortitude and commitment was such that he was given the title Yehudah the Maccabee (Judah the Hammer). Although they were greatly outnumbered and poorly armed, this small band of Yisra’elites defeated the army of Antiochus. After their decisive victory, the entire family of Hasmonea became known as the Maccabees.

Determined to follow the Commandments of Yehovah and restore the practices handed down to their fathers by Elohim; they spent months cleansing the Temple from the contamination of Antiochus. Yehudah declared that the Yisra’elites hold a Festival to re-dedicate the Temple! It would begin on the date that corresponded with the third anniversary of the day that Antiochus originally desecrated the Temple.

There is a miracle that is associated with Hanukkah! It concerns the 7 branched Menorah that stood in the Temple.

This is just one of many

representations for the

original Temple Menorah.

Reminiscent of the Biblical story of Creation, the Temple menorah is to be lit every day just before sunset, and the flames extinguished just after sunrise - thus separating the day from the night.

“And Elohim said, ‘Let light come to be,’ and light came to be.

And Elohim saw the light, that it was good. And Elohim

separated the light from the darkness. And Elohim called the

light ‘day’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’ And there came

to be evening and there came to be morning, one day.”

Bereshith (Genesis) 1:3-5

Everything was in place for the re-dedication; but a major problem was discovered! They found only enough undefiled oil to burn for one night, and the priests of Yehovah Elohim would need 7 days to purify and replenish the supply.

Rather than postpone the ceremony, they used the amount of undefiled oil that was spared from Antiochus's rage for the first night. Even though they used all of the oil in the container, each morning it was full with just enough for the coming night. This gave the priests of the Yehovah Elohim the needed time to purify more oil.

This is the Miracle of Hanukkah!

In honor of Elohim's Provision, the Feast of Dedication was begun, and lasts for 8 days and nights. A nine branched candelabrum is lit on the 8 nights of Hanukkah just before sundown! In order to stop anyone from confusing the 7 and 9 branch candelabra’s – the one in the Temple is called a “menorah”; and the one for use during Hanukkah is commonly called a “hanukkiah”

Lighting the hanukkiah

On each of the eight nights, a single candle is lit that in turn, is used to light the other candles. This candle is called the Shamash, which means servant. The place for the Shamash is always set apart from where the rest of the candles are held.

On the first night of Hanukkah, a single candle is placed to the farthest right in the hanukkiah, then the candle is placed in the branch for the Shamash. The Shamash is then lit, used to light the other candle and placed back in its branch. On the second night, two candles are placed from right to left (again to the furthest right of the hanukkiah), then the Shamash is set in its place, alighted and then the candles are lit from right to left, again placing the Shamash back in its branch. This mirrors Hebrew writing that is written and read from right to left. Each night of Hanukkah another candle is placed in the hanukkiah until the eight nights are fulfilled.

On each of the eight nights, gifts are given to one another. These presents are usually something made by an individual (cookies, small articles of clothing, etc). They are meant to be something of a very personal nature and are given as a celebration of Elohim's provision as well. Children are taught the story of Hanukkah by a game played with a spinning top called a dreidel.

As illustrated in the picture above, on each of the four sides are Hebrew letters. All individual Hebrew letters have meaning, the four letters mean A Great Miracle Happened Here.

The Messiah in Hanukkah

Is there a correlation between Messiah Yeshua and the celebration of Hanukkah? The hanukkiah has nine branches, and there are nine fruit of Ruach ha’Kodesh (the Holy Spirit).

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, goodness, trustworthiness, gentleness,

self-control...” Galatiyim (Galatians) 5:22-23a

The light produced by the hanukkiah, is said to be the Light of Torah. The Torah refers to the first five books of the Bible: Bereshith (Genesis), Shemoth (Exodus), Wayyiqra (Leviticus), Bemidbar (Numbers) and Debarim (Deuteronomy). These books contain the Commandments of Yehovah Elohim that were given to Mosheh (Moses).

“For the command is a lamp, And the Torah a light,

And reproofs of discipline a way of life.”

Mishle (Proverbs) 6:23

Also called the Pentateuch; they are the written Word of Elohim. In the Bible, Yeshua is also called the Word of Elohim.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with

Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. He was in the

beginning with Elohim…And the Word became flesh

and pitched His tent (tabernacled) among us.”

Yohanan 1:1-2; 14a

Messiah Yeshua is also the Light of the World.

"There was a man sent from Elohim, whose name was

Yohanan. This one came for a witness, to bear witness of

the Light, that all might believe through him. He was not

that Light, but that he might bear witness of that Light."

Yohanan 1:6-8

"Therefore יֵשׁוּצַ spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light

of the world. He who follows Me shall by no means walk in

darkness, but possess the light of life.'" Yohanan 8:12

The hanukkiah is to be set out in the open, so that all may see the light. In teaching His disciples, Messiah Yeshua said to them:

“You are the light of the world. It is impossible for a city to

be hidden on a mountain. Nor do they light a lamp and

put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it shines to

all those in the house. Let your light so shine before men,

so that they see your good works and praise your Father

who is in the heavens.” Mattithyahu 5:14-16

The single candle that lights the others is called the Shamash - the servant. Messiah Yeshua is the servant that lights all men!

“He was the true Light, which enlightens every man,

coming into the world.” Yohanan 1:9

“...taking the form of a servant, (Yeshua) came to be in the

likeness of men.” Pilipiyim (Philippians) 2:7

“Even as the Son of Adam did not come to be served, but

to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Mattithyahu 20:28

“For who is greater, the one who sits at the table, or the one

who serves? Is it not the one who sits at the table? But I am in

your midst as the One who serves.” Luqas (Luke) 22:27

Although candles are the main source of light for the hanukkiah in our day, it was oil that was used in the Temple menorah. In His parable of the foolish and wise maiden's, Yeshua placed a great emphasis on oil.

“Then the reign of the heavens shall be compared to

ten maidens who took their lamps and went out to meet

the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five

foolish. Those who were foolish, having taken their

lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil

in their containers with their lamps."

Matithyahu 25:1-4 (emphasis mine)

"Now while the bridegroom took time, they all slumbered

and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard, 'See, the

bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him!' Then all those maidens rose up and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish

said to the wise, 'Give us of your oil, because our lamps

are going out.'" Mattithyahu 25:5-8 (emphasis mine)

"But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, indeed, there would

not be enough for us and you. Instead, go to those who sell,

and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with
him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. And later

the other maidens also came, saying, ‘Master, Master, open

up for us!’But he answering, said, ‘Truly, I say to you,

I donot know you.’" Mattithyahu 25:9-12 (emphasis mine)

Zeus in the Temple

To defile the Temple of Elohim, Antiochus erected a statue of the Greek god Zeus. In that so-called bastion of "Christianity" called the Vatican; the popes of Rome took the statue of Zeus and renamed it the Apostle Peter!

“Pilgrims who come to the Basilica traditionally touch and kiss its foot,

so that it is literally worn thin. In the Middle Ages pilgrims who reached Rome, touched and kissed the foot of the statue and prayed to St. Peter asking that he be merciful and open the gates of heaven for them if

they died during the pilgrimage.”2

Mirroring King Antiochus, it is believed by many that the Vatican is in possession of sacred items from the Second Temple that was sacked by the Romans in 70 A.D.3

The relief on the Arch of Titus (above) shows the Romans carrying away the Temple Menorah. The Arch is located on the Via Sacra (Latin for Holy Road), just to the south-east of the Forum in Rome. It was constructed by the emperor Domitian shortly after the death of his older brother Titus, commemorating the capture and sack of Yerushalayim.

Although the relationship between Catholicism and ungodly idolatry is irrefutable, and has been preached about for centuries - gradually the belief that Catholicism is a Christian Church has come to be ingrained in the minds of today's believers.

Unlike the Maccabees, the godly kings, the righteous rulers, and the biblical judges of old; modern leaders of Churchianity (Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, Rick Warren, etc) have chosen to commit harlotry with Rome. Not only have they allowed this gradual overtaking, but they have encouraged it! Rather than stand for Yehovah Elohim, to drive out those that defile His Temple; they have compromised the Gospel of Messiah Yeshua.

"Then the sovereign commanded Hiyqiyahu (Hilkiah)

the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and

the doorkeepers, to bring out of the Hekel (Temple) of

Yehovah all the objects that were made for Ba’al, and

Asherah, and for all the hosts of the heavens. And he

burned them outside Yerushalayim in the fields of

Qidron (Kidron), and took their ashes to Beyrh El."

Melakim Bet (2 Kings) 23:4 (emphasis mine)

"And he put down the black-robed priests whom the

sovereigns of Yehudah (Judah) had appointed to burn

incense on the high places in the cities of Yehudah and

in the places all around Yerushalayim, and those who

burned incense to Ba’al, to the sun, and to the moon, and

to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.”

Melakim Bet 23:5

In ancient times, the Temple of stone built by King Shelomoh, was the "dwelling place" for Yehovah Elohim. Now it is those that surrender wholeheartedly to Messiah Yeshua.

“Do you not know that you are a Dwelling Place of Elohim

and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you?"

Qorintiyim Aleph (1 Corinthians) 3:16

The rites, rituals, and symbols of Babylonian sun-god worship were re-labeled Christian by the Catholic Church! It is also from Catholicism that we get the celebration known as Christmas. A masquerade for the same sun-god that was worshiped on December 25th. It is also from the ancient religious practices of sun-god worship that we get the root of what became a Christmas tree! To blur the line of truth for those that practice Hanukkah and the adherents of Christmas celebrations, we now have the "Chanukah Bush"!

A Christmas tree with a Yiddish accent!

There is no doubt that the tradition of erecting a Christmas tree, or Chanukah Bush of any sort, is forbidden in scripture.

“Hear the word which יְחוׇֹח speaks to you, O house

of Yisra’el. Thus said יְחוׇֹח, ‘Do not learn the way of

the nations, and do not be awed by the signs of the

heavens, for the nations are awed by them. For the

laws (customs) of these peoples are worthless, for

one cuts a tree from the forest, work for the hands

of a craftsman with a cutting tool. They beautify it

with silver and gold, they strengthen it with nails

and hammers so that it does not topple.”

Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 10:1-4 (emphasis mine)

We have even been given a new word to describe the compromise of Christmas and Hanukkah - Christmukah! Just as the word Christmas is a combination of Christ and Mass (the Mass being the wafer god of Catholicism); Christmukah is a combination of Christmas and Chanukah. (Chanukah being an alternate spelling of Hanukkah). Christmukah is complete with the same type of paraphernalia you find for Christmas. Trinkets such as Reindeer hanukkiahs and tree decorations called menoraments.

In Conclusion

In the fourth century the Emperor Constantine used religious tolerance as the platform to mix the rites of sun god worship with the basic tenets of Christianity. The result of that union is The Roman Catholic Church!

Those that don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it!

Now we have the melding of Hanukkah with Christ-Mass.

What's next? "Christmukkwanz-Adha?"

The mix of:

Christmas: The Mass of Christ
Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights
Kwanzaa: The African American First Fruits Holiday
al-Adha: The Muslim Feast of Sacrifice

All of these celebrations fall on or about the same time of year! Melding all religions into one is a necessary step for the one known as the anti-Messiah to exercise his power!

"And [the false prophet] exercises all the authority of the

[anti-Messiah] in his presence, and causes the earth and

those who dwell in it to worship the [anti-Messiah]..."

Hazon (Revelation) 13:12a (emphasis mine)

The late Pope John Paul II made many efforts to erase the barriers that separate Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam. The current Pope Francis, has followed suit. Joining these efforts are the modern Christian leaders like Rick Warren. Conferences established by the United Nations, evangelicals, rabbis, and imams, are held to confront the prejudice that plagues religious institutions. This melding has even been given the moniker Chrislam!

Due to the pandemic, Christmas sales have been lackluster the last few years, and are not expected to be much better this year. Black Friday sales are already being advertised and the spirit of greed and lust for "stuff", has begun to grab people's souls. The reports of riots and clashes involving shoppers in the past; was not curtailed during the pandemic. Unfortuanately, we may be in for the same this year.

The modern Christian Church observes and participates in all of this commercialism and cries out: Keep Christ in Christmas!

Keep Christ in Christmas??!!

If you are honestly referring to the risen Messiah Yeshua, the TRUTH is - He was NEVER there! However, it is obvious from the Bible that Yeshua was at the Temple of Yehovah Elohim for the Feast of Dedication (Yohanan 10:22-23). This is a celebration that the Messiah observed!

There is absolutely no scriptural justification for participating in Christmas! The Bible backs up that assessment!

This is not just an opinion!

"And have no fellowship with the fruitless works of

darkness, but rather convict (reprove and expose)

them." Eph’siyim (Ephesians) 5:11

According to the predicted calendar, The Feast of Dedication is to begin on December 25, 2024. More than likely, this date is in error. The predicted calendar for the High Holy Days this year has already provn to be false. For more on this please read, Whose Calendar on this site.

https://slhos5.wixsite.com/thewildernesscry/calendar

Looking forward to the celebration of Hanukkah, my prayer is this for all who take the time to read this:

As the glow of the hanukkiah brings light to the darkness; may the True Light, Yeshua ha'Mashiach; bring the Light of Truth into your life.

In obedience to Yeshua ha’Mashiach,

Stewart Hoskinson

Endnotes

1. Wikipedia.com; Antiochus IV Epiphanes

2. http://www.saintpetersbasilica.org/Statues/StPeter/StPeter.htm

3. http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=36631

Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures on The Wilderness Cry taken from:

AMP - refers to The Amplified Bible, Zondervan Bible Publishers, Grand Rapids Michigan;

13th Printing, March 1985