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Happy Hanukkah!
WE HAVE A MENORAH FOR YOU! We've received emails from those wishing to celebrate Hanukkah correctly, but who do not have access to a Menorah. If this is your situation, be of good cheer, for we have a Menorah which you can use on-line and, each day, place a lighted candle in its rightful place in celebration of the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, YASHUA HA MASHIACH. All you need to do is click on the link on the main Hanukkah page and enjoy your very own Menorah! Shalom! Email from Stephen (Hong Kong): "Dear Beloved Sister Elisabeth, How are you? I've got an idea, how about let's celebrate Hannukah together over the Internet? I'm praying to God for a menorah and a set of candles. Love in YAHUSHUA, Stephen." Chanukah--also spelled Hannukah, Hanukkah--means "dedication" and is also referred to as "The Festival of Lights", is a Jewish festival which begins on the Hebrew date of the 25th of Kislev and lasts eight days, through the 2nd of Tevet. This year (2005) that corresponds to...December 25th (through January 1, 2006)! Even Santa can't believe it! When was the last time a Hanukkah began on Christmas? That's right! This year Hanukkah begins on Christmas! Learn the awful truth about that pagan holiday. Pagan? Yes, pagan! Ol' Santa is quivering in his boots because he does NOT want this revealed. But it's too late! Once you learn the truth, do not compromise what you know to be true just because it's a custom followed by the world. I encourage you to share this information with your children. Don't remain part of the lie that is Christmas! Santa says, YAHUSHUA says, "NO NO NO!" "Forsake the pagan practice of celebrating this wicked holiday and turn your hearts toward Me, the Eternal Light of the World! For I AM the Way, the Truth and the Light!" Take those formerly-known-as-Christmas lights, which you can now declare are your HANUKKAH LIGHTS, and put them up to celebrate Hanukkah! Click below to read about the pagan holiday, Christmas, and why we should NOT put up trees in our homes nor fall prey to all the other trappings of this wicked holiday. Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Maccabees (led by Judah) over the Hellenistic Syrians in a revolt that took place around 165 BCE (note: Jews use BCE--Before the Common Era and CE--the Common Era instead of BC and AD). The victory in itself was considered a miracle, but Jewish legend gives an additional explanation for Chanukah rituals, explained below. Once the Temple Mount in Jerusalem had been reclaimed, the Temple had to be rededicated. According to legend, only one jar of sacramental oil was found, enough for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, thus the eight days of Chanukah. The most important Chanukah ritual is the candle lighting. Jews light candles in a special candleholder called a "menorah" or a "hanukkiah". Each night, one more candle is added. The middle candle, called the "shamash", is used to light each of the other candles and it is lit every night. Therefore, on the first night of Chanukah, two candles are lit (the shamash and the candle for the first night) and on the last night, there are nine lit candles. It is traditional to eat foods fried in oil during Chanukah. Some common foods are potato latkes and "sufganiot" (jelly doughnuts). Another tradition is to play the "dreidel" game. A dreidel (or "sivivon") is a four-sided top. On each side is a different Hebrew letter: (nun), (gimel), (heh) and (peh), corresponding to the words in the sentence "nes gadol haya po" ("A great miracle happened here"). Of course, the miracle happened in Israel, so outside of Israel, the letter (peh) is replaced by (shin) for "nes gadol haya sham" ("A great miracle happened there"). The dreidel is used for a gambling game in which each letter represents a different amount of money (or whatever...) won or lost. Another common Chanukah practice is giving gifts or "gelt" (money) to children. In Hebrew, "gelt" is called "d'mei Chanukah" In Israel, Chanukah is a very festive time. Schools are out for a week and there are lots of parties and special events around the country. We sing Chanukah songs (like the one playing in the background), eat lots of food and have lots of fun! "Eight Days of Chanukkah" Prayers to be said during the time when the Chanukah is lit: May it be your will, YAHUVEH, my Creator YAHUVEH and My Abba YAHUVEH in the name of YAHUSHUA, that this be a favorable time before you for the observance of the Chanukah lamp lighting, as a rembrance of the brightest light that You sent into this world, Your only begotten Son our YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH. and a reminder how He was conceived on a Hanukkah (and born nine months later on a Succot, the Feast of Tabernacles). This is another reason we celebrate the festival of lights. Oil lights go out after eight days. YAHUSHUA, the brightest light sent to this earth, the true living oil, will last for ETERNITY. We celebrate the miracle of both lights. YAHUSHUA is the LIVING MENORAH! An ETERNAL LIGHT that will NEVER go out! Thank you YAHUSHUA for giving this revelation to Elisabeth November 23rd, 2005. 'For it is You YAHUVEH who will light my lamp, in the the name of YAHUSHUA, who will illuminate my darkness.' Dispatch Your light and truth, for we only seek your truth through the RUACH HA KODESH (Holy Spirit), that shall guide me to fear and love of Your Sacred Names, to study and keep and teach Your holy Torah, the Written Torah, and the Oral Torah who came as the Word who is made flesh, your only begotten Son, YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH. With great diligence to give honor to Your blessed, exalted Name of YAHUVEH and your Son, YAHUSHUA. By virtue of the Chanukah lights, make us wise through the living guiding light, YAHUSHUA, your living Torah. May this verse be fulfilled, as it is written: '"It shall not depart from your mouth, from the mouth of your children and from the mouth of your children's children", says YAHUVEH, "from now to eternity".' May my children and grandchildren be obedient to the Torah and devout people, and may You strengthen our resolve in obedience to the Torah and obedience to you, all according to Your good desire. May I deserve to see children and grandchildren engaging in the Torah and commandments with sincerity. Uncover our eyes that we may perceive the wonders of Your holy Torah to define the truth of the Torah and its mysteries.Purify our hearts for Your service, distance us from evil and sinful thoughts, may our eyes see the return of your beloved Son YAHUSHUA who will come and reign in Jerusalem as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. CANDLE BLESSING: Ba-rucha-tah Adonai E-lo-hei-nu, Mel-ech ha-olam, Blessed are you O YAHUVEH our God, king of the universe, Asher kideshanu be-mitzvotav, Who has sanctified us by his Word, ve-tzivanu le-hadlik ner shel Chanukah. and instructed us to kindle the Chanukah lights. Al Ha-Nissim RECITED ALL EIGHT NIGHTS: Ha-ne-roth hal-la-lu, a-nach-nu mad-li-kin al ha-nis-sim, We kindle these lights on account of the miracles, v’al hat-shu-oth v’al ha-nif-la-oth she-o-see-ta la-avo-tei-nu, the deliverances and the wonders which You worked for our ancestral fathers, al y’de ko-ha-ne-cho, hak-k’do-shim. V’chol sh’-mo-nath y’may by means of Thy holy priests. During all the eight days of chanu-kah, han-ne-roth hal-lo-lu ko-desh; v’ain lo-nu r’shuth Chanukah these lights are sacred, neither is it permitted us to make any profane use of them l’hish-ta-mesh bo-hem el-lo lir-o-tom bil-vad. K’de l’ho-doth, but we are only to look at them, in order that we may give thanks L’shim-cha al ni-se-cho, v’al y’shu-o-se-te-cho, v’al nif-l’o-te-cho unto Thy name for Thy miracles, thy deliverences and thy wonders. Ba-ruch a-tah Adonai E-lo-hei-nu, Mel-ech ha-olam, Blessed are you, O YAHUVEH, our God, king of the universe, she-a-sa si-sim la-a-avo-tei-nu ba-ya-mim ha-hem ba-ze-man ha-zeh Who performed wondrous deeds for our fathers in days of old at this season. ON THE FIRST NIGHT ONLY: Shehekiyanu Ba-ruch a-tah Adonai E-lo-hei-nu, Mel-ech ha-olam, Blessed are you O YAHUVEH our God, king of the universe, she-he-che-ya-nu ve-ki-ye-ma-nu ve-hi-gi-a-nu la-ze-man ha-zeh for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season. Light the first candle. Say the blessing above while kindling subsequent candles. Below is a reminder of all of the ways YAHUVEH delivered our Jewish ancestors as written in the Holy Scriptures. These lights we kindle upon the miracles, the wonders, the salvation, through YAHUSHUA and His gift at calvary, and the battles which You performed for our forefathers in those days at this season through Your holy priests. During all eight days of Chanukah these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make ordinary use of them, but only to look at them in order to express thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, Your wonders and Your salvation. O mighty stronghold of my salvation, YAHUSHUA, to praise You is a delight. Restore my House of Prayer and there we will bring a thanksgiving offering. When You will have prepared the slaughter for the blaspheming foe, Then I shall complete with a song of hymn the dedication of the altar. II. My soul had been sated with troubles, my strength has been consumed with grief. They had embittered my life with hardship, with the calf-like kingdom's bondage. But with His great power He brought forth the treasured ones, Pharaoh's army and all his offspring went down like a stone into the deep. III. To the holy abode of His Word He brought me. But there, too, I had no rest And an oppressor came and exiled me. For I had served Aliens, And had drunk benumbing wine. Scarcely had I departed At Babylon's end Zerubabel came. At the end of seventy years I was saved. IV. To sever the towering cypress sought the Aggagite, son of Hammedatha, But it became [a snare and] a stumbling block to him and his arrogance was stilled. The head of the Benjaminite You lifted and the enemy, his name You obliterated His numerous progeny - his possessions - on the gallows You Hanged. V. Greeks gathered against me then in Hasmonean days. They breached the walls of my towers and they defiled all the oils; And from the one remnant of the flasks a miracle was wrought for the roses. Men of insight - eight days established for song and jubilation. VI. Bare Your holy arm, YAHUVEH, and hasten the End for salvation - Avenge the vengeance of Your servants' blood from the wicked nation. For the triumph is too long delayed for us, and there is no end to days of evil, Repel the evil one in the nethermost shadow and establish for us the seven shepherds. Psalm 90:17 May the favor of YAHUVEH, in the name of YAHUSHUA, rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands for Your Glory. Psalm 91:1-16 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of YAHUVEH, "You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely You will save me from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. You will cover me with your feathers, and under Your wings I will find refuge; Your faithfulness will be my shield and rampart. I will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, Nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at my side, ten thousand at my right hand, but it will not come near me. I will only observe with my eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If I make the Most High my dwelling--even YAHUVEH, who is my refuge-- Then no harm will befall me, no disaster will come near my tent. For YAHUVEH will command his angels concerning me to guard me in all your ways; They will lift me up in their hands, so that I will not strike my foot against a stone. I will tread upon the lion and the cobra; I will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because You love me," says YAHUVEH, "I will rescue you; I will protect you, for you acknowledge my name. You will call upon me, and I will answer you; I will be with you in trouble, I will deliver you and honor you. With long life will I satisfy you and show you my salvation." Psalm 67:1-8 {For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.} May YAHUVEH be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, <Selah> That your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, O YAHUVEH; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. <Selah> May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. YAHUVEH will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him. We beg You! With the strength of Your right hand's greatness, untie the bundled sins. Accept the prayer of Your nation; strengthen us, purify us, O Awesome YAHUVEH. Please O Aweson YAHUVEH - those who foster Your Oneness, guard them like the apple of an eye. Bless them, purify them, show them pity, may Your righteousness always recompense them. Powerful YAHUVEH, with Your abundant goodness guide Your congregation. In the name of YAHUSHUA, turn to Your nation, which proclaims Your holiness. Accept our prayer and hear our cry, O Knower of all mysteries.. Blessed be the Name of YAHUVEH'S glorious Kingdom forever and ever. Psalm 30:1-13 {A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David.} I will exalt you, O YAHUVEH, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O YAHUVEH my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. O YAHUVEH, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit. Sing to YAHUVEH, you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." O YAHUVEH, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. To you, O YAHUVEH, I called; to YAHUVEH I cried for mercy: "What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, O YAHUVEH, and be merciful to me; O YAHUVEH, be my help." You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, That my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O YAHUVEH my God, I will give you thanks forever. Psalm 133:1-3 {A song of ascents. Of David.} How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there YAHUVEH bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. Psalm 33:1-22 Sing joyfully to YAHUVEH, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise YAHUVEH with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of YAHUVEH is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. YAHUVEH loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. By the word of God were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear YAHUVEH; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. YAHUVEH foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of YAHUVEH stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose YAHUVEH is God, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven YAHUVEH looks down and sees all mankind; From his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-- He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of YAHUVEH are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, To deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for YAHUVEH; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O YAHUVEH, even as we put our hope in you SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR CHANUKAH: FIRST NIGHT: Numbers 7:1-17 When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils. Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings. They brought as their gifts before YAHUVEH six covered carts and twelve oxen--an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle. YAHUVEH said to Moses, "Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the Tent of Meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man's work requires." So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites, as their work required, And he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible. When the altar was anointed, the leaders brought their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar. For YAHUVEH had said to Moses, "Each day one leader is to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar." The one who brought his offering on the first day was Nahshon son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab. Genesis 1:2-5 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day. Genesis 1:14-18 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, And let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, To govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. John 1:1-13 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. SECOND NIGHT: Numbers 7:18-23 On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, the leader of Issachar, brought his offering. The offering he brought was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar Isaiah 5:20-24 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, Who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of YAHUVEH Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel. Matthew 6:22-23 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! THIRD NIGHT: Numbers 7:24-29 On the third day, Eliab son of Helon, the leader of the people of Zebulun, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon. Psalm 115:5-7 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Job 24:13 "There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths. Job 24:17 For all of them, deep darkness is their morning; they make friends with the terrors of darkness. Job 18:5-6 The lamp of the wicked is snuffed out; the flame of his fire stops burning. The light in his tent becomes dark; the lamp beside him goes out. Job 12:25 They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards. Jeremiah 25:10 I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, the sound of millstones and the light of the lamp. Ezekiel 32:8 All the shining lights in the heavens I will darken over you; I will bring darkness over your land, declares the Sovereign YAHUVEH. Isaiah 42:18 "Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! Mark 8:14-21 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. "Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." They discussed this with one another and said, "It is because we have no bread." Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" "Twelve," they replied. "And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" They answered, "Seven." He said to them, "Do you still not understand?" FOURTH NIGHT: On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, the leader of the people of Reuben, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur. Isaiah 42:5-7 This is what YAHUVEH God says--he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: "I, YAHUVEH, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, To open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 45:7 I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, YAHUVEH, do all these things. Isaiah 42:16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen YAHUVEH's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child YAHUSHUA to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign YAHUVEH, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, Which you have prepared in the sight of all people, A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, So that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too. FIFTH NIGHT: Numbers 7:36-41 On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the people of Simeon, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. Psalm 13:4 My enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall. Psalm 139:12 Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Daniel 9:17 "Now, our YAHUVEH, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O YAHUVEH, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Psalm 43:3 Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Psalm 36:10 Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. Psalm 18:29 With your help I can advance against a troop; with my YAHUVEH I can scale a wall. Proverbs 20:27 The lamp of YAHUVEH searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being. Psalm 56:13 For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before YAHUVEH in the light of life. Job 33:29-30 "YAHUVEH does all these things to a man--twice, even three times-- To turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him. John 9:1-7 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?""Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said YAHUSHUA, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. SIXTH NIGHT: Numbers 7:42-47 On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the people of Gad, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel. Psalms 27:1 {Of David.} YAHUVEH is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? YAHUVEH is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? Psalms 104:1-2 Praise YAHUVEH, O my soul. O YAHUVEH my YAHUVEH, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent Psalms 119:105 {Nun} Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 19:9 The fear of YAHUVEH is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of YAHUVEH are sure and altogether righteous. Proverbs 6:23-24 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, Keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife. John 9:1-7 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. SEVENTH NIGHT: Numbers 7:48-53 On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, the leader of the people of Ephraim, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud. Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Psalm 97:11-12 Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in YAHUVEH, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name. Isaiah 9:1-2 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-- The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Exodus 10:23 No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived. Isaiah 60:1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of YAHUVEH rises upon you. Isaiah 2:5 Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of YAHUVEH. Matthew 4:12-17 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali-- To fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. EIGHTH NIGHT: Numbers 7:54 - 8:4 On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the people of Manasseh, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni, the leader of the people of Benjamin, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni. On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, the leader of the people of Dan, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Ocran, the leader of the people of Asher, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Pagiel son of Ocran. On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, the leader of the people of Naphtali, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Ahira son of Enan. These were the offerings of the Israelite leaders for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver plates, twelve silver sprinkling bowls and twelve gold dishes. Each silver plate weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each sprinkling bowl seventy shekels. Altogether, the silver dishes weighed two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ten shekels each, according to the sanctuary shekel. Altogether, the gold dishes weighed a hundred and twenty shekels. The total number of animals for the burnt offering came to twelve young bulls, twelve rams and twelve male lambs a year old, together with their grain offering. Twelve male goats were used for the sin offering. The total number of animals for the sacrifice of the fellowship offering came to twenty-four oxen, sixty rams, sixty male goats and sixty male lambs a year old. These were the offerings for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed. When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with YAHUVEH, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the Testimony. And he spoke with him. YAHUVEH said to Moses, "Speak to Aaron and say to him, 'When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.'" Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as YAHUVEH commanded Moses. This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold--from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern YAHUVEH had shown Moses. Isaiah 30:26 The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when YAHUVEH binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted. Zechariah 14:6-7 On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime--a day known to YAHUVEH. When evening comes, there will be light. Isaiah 60:19-20 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for YAHUVEH will be your everlasting light, and your YAHUVEH will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; YAHUVEH will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Luke 1:67-79 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: "Praise be to YAHUVEH, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (As he said through his holy prophets of long ago), Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us-- To show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, The oath he swore to our father Abraham: To rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear In holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before YAHUVEH to prepare the way for him, To give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * There are two Sabbaths during Chanukah. There are special readings for these two days. On the first Sabbath we read the regular weekly Torah portion, Numbers 7:1-11 plus the verses relating to the prince (nasi) of the day corresponding to the day of Chanukah, from Numbers 7. The Haftorah is Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7. Numbers 7:1-11 When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils. Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings. They brought as their gifts before YAHUVEH six covered carts and twelve oxen--an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they presented before the tabernacle. YAHUVEH said to Moses, "Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the Tent of Meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man's work requires." So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites, as their work required, And he gave four carts and eight oxen to the Merarites, as their work required. They were all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible. When the altar was anointed, the leaders brought their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar. For YAHUVEH had said to Moses, "Each day one leader is to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar." Numbers 7:12-59 The one who brought his offering on the first day was Nahshon son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab. On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, the leader of Issachar, brought his offering. The offering he brought was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar. On the third day, Eliab son of Helon, the leader of the people of Zebulun, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon. On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, the leader of the people of Reuben, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur. On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the people of Simeon, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the people of Gad, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel. On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, the leader of the people of Ephraim, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud. On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the people of Manasseh, brought his offering. His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; One gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; One young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; One male goat for a sin offering; And two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. Zechariah 2:13 - 4:7 Be still before YAHUVEH, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling." Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of YAHUVEH, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. YAHUVEH said to Satan, "YAHUVEH rebuke you, Satan! YAHUVEH, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?" Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you." Then I said, "Put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of YAHUVEH stood by. The angel of YAHUVEH gave this charge to Joshua: "This is what God Almighty says: 'If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here. "'Listen, O high priest Joshua and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,' says God Almighty, 'and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day. "'In that day each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree,' declares God Almighty." Then the angel who talked with me returned and wakened me, as a man is wakened from his sleep. He asked me, "What do you see?" I answered, "I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lights on it, with seven channels to the lights. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left." I asked the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my YAHUVEH?" He answered, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my YAHUVEH," I replied. So he said to me, "This is the word of YAHUVEH to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says God Almighty. "What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'YAHUVEH bless it! YAHUVEH bless it!'" |