The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-12-13

Tag FESTIVAL OF INAUGURATION, Hebrew "Han-
.ca.OD was appointed by Judas Maccabeus, at the
.scond conservation of the second temple, and is
Celebrated by the Israelites during eight days,
Commencing on the 25th day of the month Kisev,
answering this year with the 18th of December.
The events which led to this new conservation
briefly as follows When Antiochus Ephones
aode war with the Jewish nation in Palestine he
nrofaned the Holy Temple and defiled the altar
With the uncean sacrifices which he offered to his
Grecian gods; but after the Maccabees had gained
the upper hand, they removed the polluted altar,
and having erected new one, and purified the
Temple the rededication took place. This event
occurred about the year ITO, B. G. The name of
Judas, surnamed Maccabeus, as is not generally
Known, was given him from the inscription on his
banner of the initials of the words -'Mee Kumoca
bueeem Adoneyj -" Who is like unto thee among
the gods, Lord" Exodus XIV, H. In John
= ~, this festival is alluded to-, when Christ is
said to have been present at the feast of dedica-
tom The historian marks the time by stating
sit was winter" The Talmad Treatise Sab
bath, chapter ii, relates that when every prepa-
ration for the Inauguration was completed no
consecrated oil could be found for the sacred
lights, and the scrupulous Judas justly feared to
contaminate the purity of the temple by using
ell which had been detled by idolators. In this
strait small jar of oil, with the seal of former
High Priest still inviolate, was found; and
though the quantity which it contained was
barely sufficient once to light the sacred lamps,
vet by the special blessing of the Deity, it proved
suficient for the consumption OF the whole week,
during which period new oil was obtained anu
consecrated The Rabbins therefore ordered, to
commemorate this event, eight days. commencing
on the eve of the oath of kisev, by lighting one
taper or lamp, adding another every evening, SO
that on the last night eight lights are burning
This custom is still regarded, especially by those
who put firm faith in the Rabbinical traditions.
In hymn which is sung after lighting the lamps
in the evening, and a Thanksgiving repeated every
day during this festival, the events which led to
the institution of this feast are thus related
sin the days of Matthias, the High Priest and
his sons, when the wicked kingdom of Greeks rose
up against thy people Israel, to make them forget
thy law and transgress the status of thy will then
in thy great mercy didst thou arise up in their
behalf in the time of their trouble, and contend
for them in their cause didst judge their sentence
and fully avenge their wrongs. Thou didst de-
liver the mighty into the hands of the weak;
multitude into the hands of the undefled: the
wicked into the hands of the righteous, and the
proud into the hands of them that studied thy
law. By this didst thou make myself great and
holy name in thy world, and didst work a great
salvation and redemption for thy people, Israel;
afterwards thy people entered the sanctuary of
thy house, cleansed thy temple and purified thy
holy place, and lighted the lamps in the courts of
thy holy house, and appointed these eight days
Of the dedication to be kept with praise and
thanksgiving unto thy great name"
This festival belongs not to the holy convoca-
tion," hence the Jews allowed during the
time occupied by them to attend to all the yoca-
tons of life.