Hanukkah this year starts at sunset on December 22, 2019, and ends at sunset on December 30, 2019. On the Hebrew calendar, those days and years are sunset on the 25th of Kislev, 5780 and ends at sunset on the 2nd of Tevet, 5780. Hanukkah, just like all of the other Jewish holidays is a holiday that African Americans and other Black people throughout the world should feel free to embrace and celebrate. My mission and goal are to introduce my Black brothers and sisters to these holidays that were originally meant for you to observe; returning you back to your Hebrew/Jewish culture that you have formally not known anything about.
Hanukkah is a celebration of triumph for what the L-rd did for our people, (Black people’s), Israelite ancestors and we, Black Americans and Black people all over the world can and should embrace and celebrate what G-d did for our ancestors. Celebrating and observing our Jewish holidays draws us closer to our L-rd Jesus (Yeshua), who was an observant Black Jew.
The story of Hanukkah is found in the Scriptures written in the books of the Apocrypha, which are 14 additional books to the Holy Bible. These books were originally included in the Bible and later removed. Some question the validity of the Apocrypha, however, after reading it thoroughly with understanding, I believe that these books are an intricate part of the Holy Scriptures.
In the book of 1 Maccabees, 4:1-59, in the Apocrypha, Scripture tells the story about how the (Black African Hebrew) Israelites were in battle with their enemies, who had an army much larger than theirs. G-d victoriously helped the Israelites win the battle. The Israelites had discovered that the enemies had destroyed their sanctuary, which was extremely important to them. It was the place where they offered sacrifices to G-d and worshipped Him. They were very despondent to find their temple desecrated. They cried out loudly to G-d and put ashes on their heads as a sign of humility and despair. The leader of the Israelites’ army, Judas, appointed certain men to fight their enemies’ army–while he and others cleansed and restored the sanctuary. One of the things they replaced and made new on the altar was a candelabra.
On the 25th day of the Hebrew calendar month of Kislev, the Hebrews had completed restoring their sanctuary and offered sacrifices and worship to G-d on the altar. Suddenly, the Israelites realized that the very day and hour that their sanctuary was restored and that they were able to worship there, happened to be the very same day and hour of the month that the enemies had destroyed it the prior year. The Israelites were so in awe and amazed about that, they fell on their faces worshipping and praising G-d, who had blessed them with great success in overcoming their enemies; and for them being able to restore their sanctuary on the very same day and hour of the month as it had been destroyed.
They celebrated and kept the dedication of the altar for eight days in praise and thanksgiving. Judas and all of the Israelite brethren and the whole congregation established that there would be a celebration with much gladness for 8 days every 25th day of Kislev, every year. The 25th day of Kislev on the Gregorian calendar usually falls on a day in December but fluctuates. This yearly celebration was to be a lasting observance throughout all of their/our generations, even to this day. In the New Testament of the Holy Bible, Jesus, Yeshua also observed Hanukkah, which is called the “Feast of the Dedication” in Scripture. (John 10:22). Enjoy your holiday!
May all people who so desire share in the blessing of this holiday!
Happy Hanukkah!!
Shalom
~SAT~
Sylvia Thomas Worldwide Ministries 