The New York herald., 1874-12-06
HANUCHA.
The Jewish Feast OF Dcdfca tion-Its
Origin and Observance.

The Jewish Feast OF Dedica tion-Its
Origin and Observance.
Yesterday the lsraelites Of this city and vicinity
as well as those Of Hebrew lineage and ialth
throughout the world, commemorated an event
which took place 1000 years ago, when Antiochus
Epiphanes pillaged the Temple at Jerusalem ana
forbade the observance OF the Sabbath festival
and ceremonial rltes-the rededicatIOn OF that
Temple. 1t was then that Mattathias, the first OF
the Asmonean family, revoted, and he and his
descendants called, on account OF the banner they
bore, the "MaccaDees," fought the syrian army,
killed Apollonius, its general vanquished their
1oes, purlned the Temple, which had been polluted
by order OF Antiochus, restored divine service,
and on the twenty-lith day OF Kisley December
A., HdnuchG, the feast OF dedication was
Instituted, and, to this day, Is annually
observed 1t was one OF the many attempts during
the existence OF the Israelites to blot out their
name and nation from the earth, or to compel
them to abandon their aith ana accept the
enemy's idea OF religion. Their object was not to
destroy Jews but Judaism. But looking at it from
Jewish standpoint the Jeacish Messenger thinks
II would have been sad day for the religious
status OF the world were the Jews not in exist
ence now to be living witness OF the truth or
revelation. In cleansing and renovating the TEN.
pie, after Its proanation by the Syrian nfdels,
bottle OF the holy OIL was discovered, from wnich
theoretically at least, the perpetual lights have
been kept burning before the ark IN Je wish syna-
gogues throughout the world. Hence in cele-
Dratlng this festival, which continues eight days,
additional words or gratitude are poured forth to
the Creator and additional lighGs are burned IN
the synagogues and dwellings, for eight days,
commencing with one and adding one Tor each
day TIL the number eight is reached, IN memorial
OIL the Jar OF oil which, although IT apparently had
only oil sunicient Tor one night yet IL continued
burning lor elgnt nights. Every Israeite In whom
the latent spark oil religion still exists does not
refrain from performing this duty, which may
readily be assumed at so trlflng an expense,
causing no sell-uenial. Services appropriate
TO the occasion were preached yesterday In most
or the synagogues Reformed lsraelltes espe-
cially consider this festival peculiarly appropri-
ate !or their observance 1t ought to he, says the
Jeactsh Times, reinsated In It's iu pristine glory,
and the character OF IFS celebration ought to be
formed to appeal to the young to inspire them as
worthy soldiers In the cause OF enlightened pro-
gresslve Judaism. 1t should be surrounded with
such attractions as Will secure II welcome recep-
tion In every house, IL be made social lestI-
val, and 1t Is the duty OF the ministers to seize
upon every opportunity by which the regcnerate
Jewish idea can be brought home to the heart and
intellect OF their brethren. The battle Is not yet
ended. The adherents Of the ancient iaith says
the Times. have still to keep guard and defend
their sanctum from invasion and desecratlon.
They are still under obloquy for the vigorous
maintenance OF the heritage which they have
borne along through centuries, ana in not few
countries are they the butt OF rldicue ana OBJ
iect OF persecution.