Dec
Feast of Dedication
- days
- Hours
- Minutes
- Seconds
Hanukkah is called the Feast of Dedication because it celebrates the Levitical family Ha'Smoni leading the Hebrew people in victory over Greek/Macedonian oppression and their fight to rededicate the Temple.
As a result of severe persecution and pagan oppression, a group of four Levitical brothers led by Judah Maccabee (The Hammer) decided to raise up an army of religious freedom fighters. These men of fierce faith and loyalty to Yah became known as the Maccabees. The small band of priestly warriors fought for three years with "strength from heaven" until achieving a miraculous victory and deliverance from Greco-Syrian control.
After regaining the Temple, it was cleansed by the Maccabees, cleared of all idolatry, and readied for rededication. The rededication of the Temple to Yah took place in the year 165 BC, on the 25th day of the Hebrew month called Kislev.
