The other day, I was watching the news when a brief commercial caught my attention. It encouraged Israelis to celebrate Hanukkah in Jerusalem. Having just returned from a four-week speaking tour in the United States, I found Hanukkah to be a frequent topic, although not always in the expected way.
Of course, Chanukah is integral to Jewish and Israeli culture this season—it’s been part of our traditions for over two millennia. Many Christians often inquire about its significance. This holiday commemorates the Maccabees’ military victory over the Syrian Greeks and the miracle where one day’s worth of pure oil, discovered in the ruined Temple of Jerusalem, lasted for eight days during its rededication.
After the terrible war we’ve experienced, the military victory has gained even more importance, especially in light of recent archaeological discoveries that shed new light on the story of Hanukkah and the intense battles the Maccabees fought against the Greeks 2,200 years ago.
This discovery occurred in the Judean Mountains, not far from my home, at the site of one of the notable battles where Judah Maccabee’s son, Elazar, tragically met his end at the hands of elephants on the route between Jerusalem and Hebron.
When I gaze out my window, I see the road—a now-paved four-lane highway. There’s a community named Elazar across the valley, aptly named in honor of the Jewish heroes who fought to defend their land against foreign forces. This is relevant today; it serves as historical proof that we aren’t foreign occupiers in Israel.
To celebrate the miracle of the oil, we indulge in various fried foods—delicious, albeit not the healthiest choices.
When engaging with Christian groups and Hanukkah questions arise, I sometimes ask, aside from the Book of Maccabees, which is part of the Catholic Bible, where Hanukkah is mentioned in the Old or New Testament. If you’re puzzled, the answer is John 10, which recounts Jesus coming to Jerusalem to observe the “Feast of Dedication.”
Isn’t that interesting? It’s striking that the only mention relates to Jesus celebrating a holiday that, relatively speaking, is quite modern—just around 200 years ago. Frankly, I didn’t need a tourism board commercial to confirm that Jerusalem is the place to celebrate Hanukkah. It’s curious how this holiday is often the least understood by Christians.
Another recent finding connects us to this war, Hanukkah, and the enduring traditions of the Jewish people. On the first night of Hanukkah two years ago, Hamas terrorists filmed six hostages they had taken underground. At first glance, it’s touching to see how they managed to celebrate even while held as hostages, in such harsh conditions.
How do we know this?
A video was discovered, showcasing six young Israelis gathered to light candles for the holiday. In another video, male hostages were forced to shave each other’s heads, with one comparing it to the Holocaust. It’s quite chilling, really. Were these videos staged, like the deceptive scenes in Terezin concentration camp meant to mislead the outside world?
One theory suggests there wasn’t enough oxygen for the flames. Despite having snacks as props, the hostages appeared to be starving as they waited to eat. In another clip, one of the female hostages informed her captors that two men needed medical attention. Harsh Godleberg Pollin had suffered a grievous injury when a grenade was thrown by terrorists into the bus stop where he was taken on the day of his kidnapping.
What drove the terrorists to film this? What kind of twisted propaganda plan were they hatching? We may never fully comprehend, especially since it was the Israelis who unveiled that raw footage. Sadly, in the aftermath of their captivity, Hamas executed six young Israelis in the very tunnels where they had been held—just days before IDF forces managed to intervene.
It’s almost miraculous that this footage came to light during a holiday symbolizing miracles, providing some comfort to the victims’ families.
It’s also significant that the hostages were seen chanting prayers and attempting to light candles in a basement. During a specific prayer, the Shechiyanu, recited only on the first night, we bless God with these words: “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who gave us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this opportunity.”
Tragically, these six young captives, yearning for release while enduring inhumane conditions, prayed for peace, sent love to their families, and thanked God for the chance to celebrate, even in such dire circumstances.
Despite the props provided and photographed by their captors, the hostages showed remarkable strength and faith rather than fear or resentment. They crafted a Hanukkah menorah using paper cups in the midst of chaos.
They were certainly victims, executed months later—an awful testament to Hamas’s cruelty—but they also represented heroism.
There’s a tradition of displaying Hanukkah candles publicly to highlight the miracle. Filmed in a dim cave with no air or windows, the Islamic terrorists who captured and executed these six individuals in their vile acts have unintentionally given us another way to share our resilience, affirming that Jews are the native people of Israel, where these miracles originated. It reaffirms that God has not abandoned us, and never will.
Related articles
10 Important Jewish Holidays Christians Should Know
Should Christians celebrate Hanukkah?
Wonders and Heroes in Various Forms this Chanukah – Guest Commentary
The other day, I was watching the news when a brief commercial caught my attention. It encouraged Israelis to celebrate Hanukkah in Jerusalem. Having just returned from a four-week speaking tour in the United States, I found Hanukkah to be a frequent topic, although not always in the expected way.
Of course, Chanukah is integral to Jewish and Israeli culture this season—it’s been part of our traditions for over two millennia. Many Christians often inquire about its significance. This holiday commemorates the Maccabees’ military victory over the Syrian Greeks and the miracle where one day’s worth of pure oil, discovered in the ruined Temple of Jerusalem, lasted for eight days during its rededication.
After the terrible war we’ve experienced, the military victory has gained even more importance, especially in light of recent archaeological discoveries that shed new light on the story of Hanukkah and the intense battles the Maccabees fought against the Greeks 2,200 years ago.
This discovery occurred in the Judean Mountains, not far from my home, at the site of one of the notable battles where Judah Maccabee’s son, Elazar, tragically met his end at the hands of elephants on the route between Jerusalem and Hebron.
When I gaze out my window, I see the road—a now-paved four-lane highway. There’s a community named Elazar across the valley, aptly named in honor of the Jewish heroes who fought to defend their land against foreign forces. This is relevant today; it serves as historical proof that we aren’t foreign occupiers in Israel.
To celebrate the miracle of the oil, we indulge in various fried foods—delicious, albeit not the healthiest choices.
When engaging with Christian groups and Hanukkah questions arise, I sometimes ask, aside from the Book of Maccabees, which is part of the Catholic Bible, where Hanukkah is mentioned in the Old or New Testament. If you’re puzzled, the answer is John 10, which recounts Jesus coming to Jerusalem to observe the “Feast of Dedication.”
Isn’t that interesting? It’s striking that the only mention relates to Jesus celebrating a holiday that, relatively speaking, is quite modern—just around 200 years ago. Frankly, I didn’t need a tourism board commercial to confirm that Jerusalem is the place to celebrate Hanukkah. It’s curious how this holiday is often the least understood by Christians.
Another recent finding connects us to this war, Hanukkah, and the enduring traditions of the Jewish people. On the first night of Hanukkah two years ago, Hamas terrorists filmed six hostages they had taken underground. At first glance, it’s touching to see how they managed to celebrate even while held as hostages, in such harsh conditions.
How do we know this?
A video was discovered, showcasing six young Israelis gathered to light candles for the holiday. In another video, male hostages were forced to shave each other’s heads, with one comparing it to the Holocaust. It’s quite chilling, really. Were these videos staged, like the deceptive scenes in Terezin concentration camp meant to mislead the outside world?
One theory suggests there wasn’t enough oxygen for the flames. Despite having snacks as props, the hostages appeared to be starving as they waited to eat. In another clip, one of the female hostages informed her captors that two men needed medical attention. Harsh Godleberg Pollin had suffered a grievous injury when a grenade was thrown by terrorists into the bus stop where he was taken on the day of his kidnapping.
What drove the terrorists to film this? What kind of twisted propaganda plan were they hatching? We may never fully comprehend, especially since it was the Israelis who unveiled that raw footage. Sadly, in the aftermath of their captivity, Hamas executed six young Israelis in the very tunnels where they had been held—just days before IDF forces managed to intervene.
It’s almost miraculous that this footage came to light during a holiday symbolizing miracles, providing some comfort to the victims’ families.
It’s also significant that the hostages were seen chanting prayers and attempting to light candles in a basement. During a specific prayer, the Shechiyanu, recited only on the first night, we bless God with these words: “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who gave us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this opportunity.”
Tragically, these six young captives, yearning for release while enduring inhumane conditions, prayed for peace, sent love to their families, and thanked God for the chance to celebrate, even in such dire circumstances.
Despite the props provided and photographed by their captors, the hostages showed remarkable strength and faith rather than fear or resentment. They crafted a Hanukkah menorah using paper cups in the midst of chaos.
They were certainly victims, executed months later—an awful testament to Hamas’s cruelty—but they also represented heroism.
There’s a tradition of displaying Hanukkah candles publicly to highlight the miracle. Filmed in a dim cave with no air or windows, the Islamic terrorists who captured and executed these six individuals in their vile acts have unintentionally given us another way to share our resilience, affirming that Jews are the native people of Israel, where these miracles originated. It reaffirms that God has not abandoned us, and never will.
Related articles
10 Important Jewish Holidays Christians Should Know
Should Christians celebrate Hanukkah?
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