The New York herald., 1871-12-09
CEAEUKAH.

The OriG,n and Historical Associations Of the
observation-disclosures and Interesting Particu.
lars OF its Celebration.
yesterday evening the Jews commenced the cele-
xfatl01 Of the "Feast OF Dedication the Hebrew
pam0 OF which we nave selected as our heading
~ ~ so styled because the Temple OF Jerusalem,
tftor It's spoiaton and desecratlon by the Syrians
knd It's subsequent recovery by the Jews, was re-
Redicated anew with great pomp and splendor
No adequate idea Of the Importance Of this festival
ban be formed without brier historical survey OF
khe period antedatDg IL, Or, more properly. o re.
btal Of tile causes which led to the uprising OF an
Ipsuited ana Indignant people, and which have
{nade the name and exploits Of Judas MaccapDus
Forever famous. It was under the reign OF
knu0cuus Epipnanes that certain Jews, In
b moment OF Weakness ingrataJed themselves with
That monarch to the extent Of even forgetting their
Obligations to their God. Antiocnus, seeing this turn
Ef affairs, made the most strenuous efforts to root
But theII religion. he went up to Jerusalem with
Howerful army and, taking possession Of the sane.
Euaiy dealed 1t By heathen sacrifices In the name OF
taplier Olympus. The rite OF circumcision and
humorous other religious ceremonies OF the Jews
Wore not allowed 10 be prnctsed. The emissarles OF
city gained But when e eSss ssey
d Mvdn sae were Safsa IF o. 9e Opposition
lias w10 together with his sons and baud oi ioi.
Ehelr Quty 70 COO, ana urging them to strike
bn penan OF their fath. We read In the tirst book
pity With loud voice, saying, Every one that hath
Beal for the law and nantaneth the testament, let
him rolow nnc,n And this appeal was not IN vain,
"a We have before stated. The atrs oil the heathens
Eere oveythr0Wn and the Sabbath and festivals oh.
6pryed as or.yofe. Alter the death OF Matathias,
Which occurred ab0gt this time. his son Judas
Essuined command OF the Jews. He and his fol.
lowers retired to fhemountalns and gained series
H splendtd successes over the Syrlans. jerusalem
However, was still IN tue hands Of the enemy, and
vudas. sutnaned the Maccabee marched against
Nt ana captured It. He found the temple In partial
Etate OK destruction and overgrown with weeds. lie
keparcu its broken walls rebuilt the altar, replaced
khs holy vessels, offered sacrifices and proclaimed
b feast tor eight days. THIS event occurred Oh the
UQy celebrated BY tho scattered remnants OF Jacob.
n Inc historical origin OF this festival being made
MeAr, Tow words aS TO Its celebration would cer-
kAiply be not out oil place. DIVINE service, morning
hNd ev0ntng, Is much the same as on other days or
kb4 week, with the exception or o few additional
Rlso special selections from the Pentateuch. But
thQ distinguishing feature Of this festival Is It's
lights which we will explaini--One additional
kght f3 burned on the lrSt night Of the feast,
kW0 on the second the number Increasing with
the progroas Of the festival. Matmondes sup.
b9sos thar tbis nightly increase iu the number
Rf lights arose from peculiar circumstance, when
Hi bear repeating. When Judas Maccabscus. and
bls noble band OF followers rofted the neaihens
from the sanctuary, only one pot Of oil found III
d whioh could be used for the perpetual lamp In.
btesd. however, OF diminishing IN quantity accord
Ing a. y was consumed. % the & Sil continued TO in.
ptersl.y tfue may convey moral, as is very Ditch
kho sase with The uaQg0QOtl.