The Month of Kislev

The month of Kislev is the ninth month of the Biblical calendar and coincides with November-December on the Gregorian calendar. Kislev is the month of Hanukkah (Chanukah), which means “rededication,” in Hebrew. The eight-day holiday of Hanukkah occurs at the end of the month of Kislev. This is during the time of the year that has the longest nights of the solar year.

Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication

Hanukkah is also referred to as the “Festival of Lights” and “Feast of Dedication.” The holiday is a joyous occasion and celebrated with the lighting of the hanukkiah (lamp with nine candles), traditional foods, games and gifts.

Additionally, Hanukkah is the only holiday in the Biblical calendar that spans and connects two months. To explain, Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev and concludes in the month of Tevet (either on the 2nd or 3rd, depending on the number of days in Kislev).

The festival of Hanukkah is a celebration of Jewish religious freedom as well as God’s faithfulness and deliverance. Besides this, Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish Maccabees’ military victory over the Greek-Syrians and the rededication of the Second Temple.

The history of Hanukkah

Thousands of years ago, Greek-Syrian rulers extinguished the temple menorah and its public worship of God. In addition, they forbade, on penalty of death, the observance of family Judaism at home. There was to be no Shabbat candles, holidays, circumcision, eating kosher food, or teaching of the children.

However, one family of five brothers, nicknamed the Maccabees, began a rebellion that restored religious freedom of Jewish worship. All of these culminated in the rededication of the Jewish Temple, which is where the word Hanukkah (“rededication” and “relighting the temple menorah”) was derived.

When the Maccabees restored the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, they rededicated it on the 25th day of Kislev. The Maccabees found one jar of pure oil, when it came time for them to relight the Menorah. However, this was only enough to keep the menorah burning for just one day. But, a miracle happened. The oil miraculously burned for eight days until a new supply of oil could be found. From that time forward, Jewish people have observed a holiday for eight days in honor of this historic victory and the miracle of the oil.

How Christians can celebrate Hanukkah

Hanukkah celebrates one of many deliverances of the Jewish people from those who repeatedly try to destroy God’s Covenant people. As for Christians, we can celebrate the “Festival of Lights” by rededicating our lives to Jesus Christ. In addition, we can acknowledge Him as the perfect and true Light of this world. Those who perceive the true Light will never walk in spiritual darkness.

Finally, when we celebrate Hanukkah, we are reminded to be reflections of the Light of Christ so that all can see Him through us. His Light is evident to others by the good deeds we do in faith and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

CLICK HERE: Jewish-Gregorian Calendar