The Feast of Dedication, also known as Hanukkah, is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C. after its desecration by the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This event is not directly commanded in the Hebrew Scriptures but is mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of John.

Biblical Reference:

The Feast of Dedication is referenced in the New Testament in John 10:22-23 : "At that time the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple courts in Solomon’s Colonnade." This passage indicates that Jesus observed the festival, which underscores its significance during His time.

Historical Background:

The historical roots of the Feast of Dedication are found in the intertestamental period, specifically in the events recorded in the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, which are part of the Apocrypha. The festival celebrates the victory of the Maccabean revolt against the oppressive regime of Antiochus IV, who had outlawed Jewish religious practices and desecrated the Temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs on it.

In 164 B.C., after the successful revolt led by Judas Maccabeus, the Temple was cleansed and rededicated. The festival was established to commemorate this miraculous event, particularly the tradition of the oil that lasted eight days, which is central to the Hanukkah celebration.

Observance:

The Feast of Dedication is observed for eight days, beginning on the 25th of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which typically falls in December. The primary ritual associated with Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum. One candle is lit on each night of the festival, with the ninth candle, the shamash, used to light the others.

The festival is marked by the recitation of special prayers, singing of hymns, and the giving of gifts. Traditional foods, often fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), are enjoyed to commemorate the miracle of the oil.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the Feast of Dedication highlights themes of religious freedom, divine intervention, and the faithfulness of God to His covenant people. It serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and the importance of maintaining the purity of worship. For Christians, the mention of Jesus attending the festival in John 10 provides a connection to the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan through history.

The Feast of Dedication, while not a biblical mandate, is a significant cultural and religious observance that reflects the enduring spirit of the Jewish people and their commitment to the worship of the one true God.