Light Overcoming Darkness

Hanukkah is a joyous Jewish festival also known as the Festival of Lights. It commemorates the 164 BCE dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. 

Central to the celebration of Hanukkah is the lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah (Hanukiah).  According to Jewish tradition, when the Maccabees reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem they found only enough intact oil to light the holy seven-branched Menorah for one day.  However, the oil miraculously lasted for eight days (the amount of time need to produce more).  For many these candles have come to represent the triumph of good over evil, light overcoming darkness.

Masonic Connections

First, “light” is very important in Freemasonry.  Three times during our ceremonies a Freemason is asked what he most desires and he answers “light”, “more light” and again “more light”.  Secondly, the temple that is retaken by the Maccabees is the Second Temple.  It is the rebuilding of this Temple that forms the basis of two of the degrees of the Scottish Rite.   It occurred about 597 BCE after the Babylonians were overthrown by the Persians.  Finally, the Hellenistic Period during which this revolt took place was a time that gave us Euclid and the great Greek philosophers.  It lasted from about 323 BCE  to 31 BCE at which point the Roman Empire dominated.

The Hellenistic Period

What is known as the Hellenistic Period began with the death of Alexander the Great and lasted until the last remnants of Greek rule fell to the Romans.  When Alexander the Great died, there was a period of warfare between his generals over what was the Great Macedonian Empire.  General Seleucus eventually gained control of the eastern portion of the empire, including what is now Israel.

The initial period

For the first 150 years of this period, the Jewish people thrived.  The Greeks were more interested in cultural assimilation than military domination.  The great library at Alexandria was formed as a center of learning.  The Greek language became the language of trade and intellectual pursuits.  We see this in the translation of the Hebrew scriptures into the Septuagint during the second and third centuries BCE.

The strains on Jewish culture created by this assimilation are covered in detail in the documentary video below.   These strains laid the background for the eventual revolt.

Antiochus IV

Antiochus IV became the ruler in 175 BCE and began to very aggressively destroy the Jewish culture and religion.  He turned the Temple in Jerusalem into one for the worship of Zeus in 167 BCE.  This triggered the Maccabean revolt.  In 164 BCE the Temple was captured by the Maccabees and rededicated to the worship of God.  Hanukkah means “dedication” and it is that re-dedication that is celebrated.  Antiochus IV died in that same year.

The strains created by the Hellenistic influences continued, but the Jewish religion remained intact with worship centered on the Temple.  Roman rule eventually replaced the last traces of the Hellenistic period in 31 BCE.

The videos

The first of the two videos is primarily a celebration of Hanukah and was produced by National Geographic.  The second is the documentary mentioned above.  It was produced in 2009.  It is a bit longer than most on this site.  However, it does a great job of setting out the background and details of the revolt.  It also examines the meaning of Hanukkah today.  In addition to archeologists, rabbis and biblical scholars you meet a couple from South Africa that resettled in Jerusalem to ensure a Jewish experience for their children.  The celebration of Hanukah in Jerusalem is seen through their eyes.

Happy Hanukkah!  
Hope this adds to your understanding and enjoyment of this important and beautiful holiday. 

May you experience the light overcoming darkness in your life.