Picking up where we left off (in the first blog https://whatishebrewing.com/2022/12/19/hanukkah-is-our-culture/), and after you have read the first four chapters of 1st Maccabees, we can see the results of the dedicated cultural training of our ancestors. Judah/Yahudah Maccabees and his brothers, guided by their father Matthathias/Mattithyahu’s instructions and example, cultivated an unwavering dedication to YAH, by obeying His Torah/Instructions and treasuring the Temple & Kingdom. Being obedient to “The Shema” (quoted below), they were taught to follow the Torah with unrelenting passion and commitment, a principle that remains a cornerstone of our faith today.
“Hear (Shema), O Yashar’el: Yahuah Elohaynu, Yahuah is one: And you shall love את Yahuah Elohayka with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart: And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the posts of your house, and on your gates.”
DEVARIYM (DEUTERONOMY) 6:4-9 את CEPHER
When Yahudah and his brothers witnessed their father Mattithyahu defy the pagan king Antiochus and his Torah-subverting laws, they weren’t surprised by his unwavering conviction and steadfastness in obeying the Torah, even at the risk of his own life. This unshakeable dedication to The Most High YAH, with all his heart, soul, and might, was the hallmark of Mattithyahu’s life. Not only did he live out his faith publicly, but he also trained (or in Hebrew “hanak”, the root word of Hanukkah) his sons in the ways of righteousness. As his life drew to a close, Mattithyahu charged and instructed his sons, empowering them to continue in dedication/hanukkah, boldly obeying the Torah of YAH!
“Now when the time drew near that Mattithyahu should die, he said unto his sons, Now has pride and rebuke gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation: Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the Torah, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers. Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honor and an everlasting name. Was not Avraham (Abraham) found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness? Yoceph (Joseph) in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was made adoniy (master) of Mitsrayim (Egypt). Piynechac (Phineas) our father in being zealous and fervent obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood. Yahusha (Joshua) for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Yashar’el (Israel). Kalev (Caleb) for bearing witness before the assembly received the heritage of the land. David for being merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom. Eliyahu (Elijah) for being zealous and fervent for the Torah was taken up into heaven. Chananyahu (Shadrach), Azaryahu (Meshach), and Miysha’el (Abendigo), by believing were saved out of the flame. Daniy’el (Daniel) for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of lions. And thus consider ye throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in him shall be overcome. Fear not then the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be dung and worms. Today he shall be lifted up and tomorrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to nothing. Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant and show yourselves men IN THE BEHALF OF THE TORAH; for by it shall ye obtain glory. And behold, I know that your brother Shim`on is a man of counsel, give ear unto him always: he shall be a father unto you. As for Yahudah Makkabiy, he has been mighty and strong, even from his youth up: let him be your captain, and fight the battle of the people. Take also unto you all those that OBSERVE THE TORAH, and avenge ye the wrong of your people. Recompense fully the heathen, and TAKE HEED TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE TORAH. So he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers. And he died in the hundred forty and sixth year (166 B.C.), and his sons buried him in the sepulchres of his fathers at Modin, and all Yashar’el made great lamentation for him.”
MAKKABIYM RI’SHON (1 MACCABEES) 2:49-70 את CEPHER
In the chapters that follow, we’re inspired by Yahudah Maccabee’s unrelenting zeal and the miraculous victories that resulted from his unwavering dedication—HaleluYAH! We witness the triumphant rededication of the Temple and the inception of celebrating the annual Feast of Hanukkah—HalleluYAH! As we read above (and as we will also read below), we must follow after Torah with our all; because it is our: way, truth, and life.
As we reflect on the verses above, we’re reminded that we must follow after The Living Word of The Most High YAH, who is The Messiah/HaMashiach (John 1:1-14). Additionally, we can draw inspiration from the examples of others who have faithfully followed HaMashiach, just like Paul/Shaul wisely counseled (and we know how dedicated our beloved brother Paul was):
“BE ye followers of me, even as I also am of Mashiach.”
QORINTIYM RI’SHON (1 CORINTHIANS) 11:1 את CEPHER
As we conclude, I encourage you to make time to also read the second, third, and fourth books of Maccabees. Within its records, you’ll find inspiring examples of our courageous ancestors who lived their lives in total hanukkah/dedication to YAH & His Torah, even unto death! Here are a few remarkable highlights to consider and remember:
“And when the spearmen said, Consent to eat, that you may be released from your tortures, he answered, Not so powerful, O accursed ministers, is your wheel, as to stifle my reasoning; cut my limbs, and burn my flesh, and twist my joints. For through all my torments I will convince you that the children of the Ivriym are alone unconquered in behalf of virtue. While he was saying this, they heaped up fuel, and setting fire to it, strained him upon the wheel still more. And the wheel was defiled all over with blood, and the hot ashes were quenched by the droppings of gore, and pieces of flesh were scattered about the axles of the machine. And although the framework of his bones was now destroyed the high minded and Avrahamic youth did not groan. But, as though transformed by fire into immortality, he nobly endured the rackings, saying. IMITATE me, O brethren, nor ever desert your station, nor abjure my brotherhood in courage: fight the holy and honorable fight of the faith; by which means our just and paternal providence, becoming merciful to the nation, will punish the pestilent tyrant. And saying this, the revered youth abruptly closed his life.”
MAKKABIYM REVIY`IY (4 MACCABEES) 9:16-25 את CEPHER
“Brothers, may we die brotherly for the Torah. Let us IMITATE the three young men (read Daniel 3) in Ashshur (Assyria) who despised the equally afflicting furnace.”
MAKKABIYM REVIY`IY (4 MACCABEES) 13:9 את CEPHER
I also highly recommend reading 2nd Maccabees chapters 6 and 7, where you’ll find inspiring accounts of hanukkah/dedication exemplified by both youths and elders.
Beloved family, let us strive to live our lives in unwavering dedication to YAH, even unto death. For dedication/hanukkah is, indeed, our way, our truth, and our life! And we know, the ultimate victory has already been revealed:
“And they (the righteous) overcame him (the accuser/HaSatan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved NOT THEIR LIVES UNTO THE DEATH.”
CHIZAYON (REVELATION) 12:11 את CEPHER
Until next time, shalom ✌🏾
~Yahrahn
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