The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-15

|
Hebrew "Hanaca,n) was appointed by
Judas Maccabeus at the second consecri-
! ton of the second temple, and is cele-
brated by the Israelites during eight
days, commencing on the 25th day of
the month Kisley, answering this year
with Wednesday. The events which led
to this new conscientious are briefly as
follows: When AntiOchus EphOnes
made war with the Jewish nation in
Palestine he profaned the Holy Temple
and defiIed the alter with the unclean
sacrifices which he offered to his Grecian
gods ), but afterthe Macabees had gained
the upper hand they removed the pol
luted altar, and having erected new
one and purified the Temple the reded
icatiOn took place. This event occurred
about the year 10, b. G. The name
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
bueleem Adoneyj;" "Who is like unto
thee among the gods, 0 Lord" Exodus
XIV, II. In John X, %, this festival Is
alluded to, when Christ is said to have
been present at the feast of dedication.
The historian marks the time by stating
ut was WINTER" The Talmid Urea
tise Sabbath, chapter ill., relates that
when every preparation for the inaugu-
ration was completed, no consecrated
oil could be found for the sacred lights,
to contaminate The purity of the temple
by using oil which had been defiled by
i1OlatOrs. In this strait small lar Of
oil, with the sealOf a former High Priest
still invi0latr, was found and though
the quantity which il contained was
barely sufficient once to light the sacred
lamps, yet, 10y the special blessing of the
Deity, 1t proved sufficient for the con-
sumption of the whole week, during
which period new oil was obtained and
consecrated. The Rabbins therefore
ordered, to commemorate this event,
eight days. commencing on the eve of
the 24tli of Kislcy, 10y lighting one taper
or lamp, adding another every evening,
40 that on the last night eight lights are
burning. This custom Is still regarded,
especially by those whs put firm faith
in the Babbinical traditions. In
hymn which is sung after lighting the
lamps In the evening, and II thanks
giving repeated every day during this
festival, the events which lc,l to the
institution Of this feast are thus related
"In 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 statutes of thy
will, then in thy great mercy diist 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 deliver the mighty into the hands
of the weak; multitude into the hands
of the undcfiled; 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 thyself u
treat and holy name in thy world, and
| didst work a great salvation and re.
demption for thy people Israel; after
wards thy people entered the sanctuary
of thy house, cleansed thy temple and
purified thy holy place, and lighted the
lamps i'm 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 'h0ly
convocation," hence the Jews are al
lowed during the time occupied by them
to- attend to all the vocati0ns of life.--
Mdec.