Chanukkah Chanukkah, the Jewish festival of re-dedication, also known as the festival of lights, is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. The story of Chanukkah begins in the reign of Alexander the Great. Alexander conquered Syria, Egypt and Israel, but allowed the lands under his control to continue observing their own religions and retain a certain degree of autonomy. Under this relatively benevolent rule, many Jews assimilated much of Hellenistic culture, adopting the language, the customs and the dress of the Greeks, in much the same way that Jews in America today blend into the secular American society. More than a century later, a successor of Alexander, Antiochus the IV was in control of the region. He began to oppress the Jews severely, placing a Hellenistic priest in the Temple, massacring Jews, prohibiting the practice of the Jewish religion, and desecrating the Temple by requiring the sacrifice of pigs (a non-kosher animal) on the altar. Two groups opposed Antiochus: a basically nationalistic group led by Mattathias the Hasmonean and his son Judah Maccabee, and a religious traditionalist group known as the Chasidim, the forerunners of the Pharisees (no direct connection to the modern movement known as Chasidism). They joined forces in a revolt against both the assimilation of the Hellenistic Jews and oppression by the Seleucid Greek government. The revolution succeeded and the Temple was rededicated. In Yochanan(John) chapter 10 in the Brit Hadasha (New Testament) Yeshua made some very specific claims about himself in relation to this Holiday. Come join us as we learn about Yeshua in Chanukkah. You will be blessed. Our Hanukkah celebration will be on the date of Dec 27th 2024 starting at 7:30 Pm at Sha'ar and your invited to join us. There will be lots of latkes, dreidles, dancing, singing and rejoicing as we celebrate the festival lights and Our Messiah Yeshua the light of the world. Please be prepared to bring a dish for all to share. We look so forward to having you join us for Hanukkah. Shalom uvracha b'Yeshua Rabbi Henry Shalom uvracha b'Yeshua (Peace and blessings in Yeshua) Rabbi Henry
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As a congregation Sha'ar Hashamayim has decided that we will be celebrating the Biblical feasts according to the Karaite tradition. This calendar is obviously different from the Rabbinic calendar. The best way to explain it is to post what they wrote about the difference. I hope this will clarify. We are not making this an issue of salvation or a reason to dis-fellowship with anyone. After much study and prayer, this is what we believe to be the Biblical calendar. We do our best to be obedient to what we find out to be Scriptural. This is just our attempt to be in line with the Word. It is our conviction. We put no obligation on any one. Salvation is by grace through faith in Yeshua our Messiah and always will be be. Here is a post from a website that will give more information, https://escapeallthesethings.com/holy-day-calendar/
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