Family, as the so-called Negroes, we are a people of dedication – it’s ingrained in our culture! Unfortunately, our ancestors’ way of life, rooted in dedication, was hidden from us. Now is our time to uncover and reclaim this vital part of our heritage. You might be saying, what does that opening have to do with Hanukkah… Well, the word “Hanukkah” itself means dedication. Verify this truth for yourself by exploring the Hebrew and Greek words used in Scripture:
https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2598.htm
https://biblehub.com/greek/1456.htm
The annual Winter festival known as the Festival or Feast of Dedication, also known as Hanukkah in Hebrew, is the authentic winter celebration that we should understand and observe, rather than Christmas. But how can we be sure? The answer lies in the Bible: The Book of John clearly shows that The Messiah, His disciples, and our ancestors during His time, kept Hanukkah — not Christmas. Let us see why we should follow their example and do as they did.
Before we delve deeper, it’s essential to understand the history and significance of Hanukkah. As we make our way through this blog series, I encourage you to not only teach your children about this feast but also to educate yourself on the biblical history of Hanukkah first. To lay the foundation, I recommend reading the biblical account of the Maccabees, which is found in what is called the Apocrypha (https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Apocrypha-Books/). Start with 1st Maccabees, chapters 1-4. If you don’t have a physical copy, you can easily find one online by searching or clicking the following links:
- The KJV online translation https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Maccabees-Chapter-1/
- Or for a different source for the KJV translation https://www.bible.com/bible/546/1MA.INTRO1.KJVAAE
- For easy reading, try The Good News (US) translation GNTD https://www.bible.com/bible/69/1MA.INTRO1.GNTD
If you want to buy a physical copy, you can try:
- The Apocrypha, King James Version https://a.co/d/9Yy4EEk
- The Good News Translation with the Apocrypha https://a.co/d/8xNeZAr
Let us understand: effective training leads to dedication/hanukkah, and there’s no dedication/hanukkah without sacrifice. The Hebrew root word of hanukkah deals with training. A relevant verse likely comes to mind (see below), and its truth is further illustrated through our Hanukkah history, as recorded in the first couple of chapters of 1st Maccabees.
“Train (chanak/hanok) up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
MISHLEI (PROVERBS) 22:6 את CEPHER
https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2596.htm
It’s our sacred duty to uncover the truth and pass it down to future generations, thereby restoring righteousness to our culture by reclaiming what was lost, hidden, and distorted. As we continue on this journey, more of us are daily relearning our history and rediscovering our heritage. Hanukkah, an integral part of our cultural family, is a significant part of this rediscovery.
Although observing the Festival of Hanukkah is not a command from YAH, you can still choose to honor it as a meaningful memorial celebration – a topic we’ll explore further in this series. Regardless of whether you feel led to celebrate Hanukkah or not, understanding its significance and sharing that truth & knowledge with others is crucial.
Just as YAH restored the Menorah and Temple to our ancestors after they were taken away, He is now restoring our understanding of the Torah and the previously hidden (Apocrypha) books of the Maccabees. Once again, YAH is restoring what was lost and twisted! He is reviving the truth and our royal heritage. HalleluYAH! Therefore, let us seize this opportunity to learn the truth about Hanukkah and renew our dedication to YAH as we prepare for the coming of His Kingdom!
To continue in this series, scroll and click the link below.
Happy/Sameach Hanukkah!
Until next time, shalom ✌🏾
~Yahrahn
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The Messiah’s Definitive Proclamation of His Oneness with YAH During Hanukkah:
“At that time the Ḥanukkah (Feast of Dedication) came to be in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), and it was winter. And יהושע (Yahoshua, The Messiah) was walking in the Set-apart (Holy) Place, in the porch of Shelomoh (Solomon). So the Yahuḏim (Judaeans) surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, say to us plainly.” יהושע (Yahoshua) answered them, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s Name, they bear witness concerning Me. “But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. “And I give them everlasting life, and they shall by no means ever perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. “I and My Father are one.” Again the Yahuḏim picked up stones to stone Him. יהושע (Yahoshua) answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. Because of which of these works do you stone Me?” The Yahuḏim answered Him, saying, “We do not stone You for a good work, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself Elohim.” יהושע (Yahoshua) answered them, “Is it not written in your own Torah, ‘I said, “You are elohim”’? “If He called them elohim, to whom the word of Elohim came – and it is impossible for the Scripture to be broken – do you say of Him whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of Elohim’? “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; ” but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, but He went forth out of their hand, and went once more to the other side of the Yardĕn (Jordan) to the place where Yoḥanan (John) was immersing (baptizing) at first, and there He stayed. And many came to Him and said, “Yoḥanan indeed did no sign, yet all that Yoḥanan said about this Man was true.” And many believed in Him there.”
— Yoḥanan (John) 10:22-42 TS2009
For a deeper walkthrough by Dr. Moreh Yoshiyahu, check out this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeREKjHWypTXf5hDPS6qQ3ISVhMCyhXEb&si=HD7oKatsU_1nkpcw
5 thoughts on “Hanukkah Is Our—Culture.”