Hanukkah: Festival of Lights with Erick Stakelbeck

December 15, 2025 | 57:5

Learn about the History of Hanukkah. Filmed at the sites where all the legendary exploits of the Maccabees and the Hanukkah story happened.

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Hanukkah Special With Erick Stakelbeck | Hanukkah: Festival of Lights with Erick Stakelbeck | December 15, 2025

Welcome to a tbn hanukkah special.
00:00:00.190 --> 00:00:02.425
I'm erick stakelbeck and over the next hour,
00:00:02.425 --> 00:00:04.561
We'll share why hanukkah, which is celebrated by jews
00:00:04.561 --> 00:00:07.997
Worldwide, also matters for every christian.
00:00:07.997 --> 00:00:11.534
After all,
00:00:11.534 --> 00:00:12.735
The gospel of john describes how jesus celebrated hanukkah.
00:00:12.735 --> 00:00:16.773
Our savior observed a holiday that most christians know
00:00:16.773 --> 00:00:20.577
Very little about.
00:00:20.577 --> 00:00:22.112
Why does hanukkah last for eight days?
00:00:22.112 --> 00:00:24.881
Why is the menorah lit?
00:00:24.881 --> 00:00:26.649
And who were the maccabees?
00:00:26.649 --> 00:00:28.351
The legendary jewish freedom
00:00:28.351 --> 00:00:30.153
Fighters who inspired america's founding fathers?
00:00:30.153 --> 00:00:33.990
Hanukkah is a tribute to an uprising so inexplicable
00:00:33.990 --> 00:00:38.962
That it can only be called a miracle.
00:00:38.962 --> 00:00:41.631
It is a celebration of light overcoming darkness.
00:00:41.631 --> 00:00:45.001
And with israel at war
00:00:45.001 --> 00:00:46.503
Right now, with evil forces that seek its destruction,
00:00:46.503 --> 00:00:50.373
The message of hanukkah has never been more timely.
00:00:50.373 --> 00:00:53.843
Join us as we unpack the story and significance
00:00:53.843 --> 00:00:57.647
Behind this miraculous festival of lights.
00:00:57.647 --> 00:01:22.338
What is hanukkah?
00:01:22.772 --> 00:01:24.007
Well, it's not jewish christmas.
00:01:24.007 --> 00:01:26.242
Yes. both take place in winter.
00:01:26.242 --> 00:01:28.211
And, yes, families may gather together.
00:01:28.211 --> 00:01:30.847
Decorations may be hung.
00:01:30.847 --> 00:01:32.682
Gifts may be given and fatty foods may be consumed.
00:01:32.682 --> 00:01:36.753
But these festivals have their own reason for this season.
00:01:36.753 --> 00:01:40.723
Well, christmas celebrates the birth of jesus.
00:01:40.723 --> 00:01:43.760
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the temple
00:01:43.760 --> 00:01:47.230
In jerusalem.
00:01:47.230 --> 00:01:48.431
One story begins with a savior and hope of the world.
00:01:48.431 --> 00:01:52.335
The other begins with a priest and leader of a rebellion.
00:01:52.335 --> 00:01:56.973
His name was matt attire.
00:01:56.973 --> 00:01:59.275
He was a jewish elder living in judea, modern day
00:01:59.275 --> 00:02:02.679
Israel during the rule of greek dictator antiochus the fourth,
00:02:02.679 --> 00:02:07.016
Upon taking the throne
00:02:07.016 --> 00:02:08.318
To the solution empire, which was based in syria.
00:02:08.318 --> 00:02:11.421
This mad king outlawed judaism.
00:02:11.421 --> 00:02:14.524
In the years that followed,
00:02:14.524 --> 00:02:15.959
He became desperate to hell and eyes his kingdom.
00:02:15.959 --> 00:02:19.195
So he ordered the invasion of jerusalem in 168 b.c.
00:02:19.195 --> 00:02:24.334
In the name of their king and the greek god.
00:02:24.334 --> 00:02:27.170
Zuse.
00:02:27.170 --> 00:02:27.870
Seleucid soldiers
00:02:27.870 --> 00:02:29.105
Slaughtered thousands of jews and desecrated their temple.
00:02:29.105 --> 00:02:33.042
It was then that matt attias turned from priests
00:02:33.042 --> 00:02:36.613
To resistance commander.
00:02:36.613 --> 00:02:38.448
He led his five sons and a small band of jewish fighters
00:02:38.448 --> 00:02:42.252
In a campaign for freedom against antiochus
00:02:42.252 --> 00:02:45.755
And his brutal regime.
00:02:45.755 --> 00:02:47.690
Although matt attias did not live to see the end of the war,
00:02:47.690 --> 00:02:51.294
His sons prevailed in their fight for justice.
00:02:51.294 --> 00:02:54.831
Three years after the massacre, the jewish warriors
00:02:54.831 --> 00:02:57.800
Toppled the invading empire and reclaim their temple,
00:02:57.800 --> 00:03:01.537
Earning the title maccabee meaning hammer.
00:03:01.537 --> 00:03:05.341
Now, this story has been handed
00:03:05.341 --> 00:03:06.843
Down throughout the ages, but is it true?
00:03:06.843 --> 00:03:10.747
Well, according
00:03:10.747 --> 00:03:11.814
To archeological expert danny the digger hermann,
00:03:11.814 --> 00:03:14.484
Evidence of the maccabees
00:03:14.484 --> 00:03:15.852
And their miraculous revolution can still be found today
00:03:15.852 --> 00:03:19.622
Throughout the israeli city of madine.
00:03:19.622 --> 00:03:22.725
It just requires a little digging.
00:03:22.725 --> 00:03:25.762
You'll
00:03:25.762 --> 00:03:28.765
Choose
00:03:28.765 --> 00:03:34.604
The story of hanukkah, this great story of a
00:03:34.604 --> 00:03:38.508
Successful jewish rebellion against foreign power.
00:03:38.508 --> 00:03:42.745
Some 2200 years ago begins here
00:03:42.745 --> 00:03:48.551
I am at ancient moda, in
00:03:48.551 --> 00:03:50.953
The hometown of the maccabees, whose
00:03:50.953 --> 00:03:58.728
In the second century bce, the jews were back
00:03:58.728 --> 00:04:01.664
In their ancestral land, but they were not independent.
00:04:01.664 --> 00:04:05.735
Antioch was the third had a policy that the jews
00:04:05.735 --> 00:04:09.739
Have to pay their taxes, but they had religious freedom.
00:04:09.739 --> 00:04:13.710
However, his successor, antiochus, the fourth
00:04:13.710 --> 00:04:16.646
Led the complete opposite policy
00:04:16.646 --> 00:04:19.549
And banned the jewish religious practice.
00:04:19.549 --> 00:04:23.720
Now forcing taxes upon a person
00:04:23.720 --> 00:04:27.123
Is one thing, but forbidding you from your religious freedom.
00:04:27.123 --> 00:04:31.260
That is something the jews were not willing to tolerate.
00:04:31.260 --> 00:04:34.364
And here at the ancient city of modi'in,
00:04:34.364 --> 00:04:37.233
This is where the successful maccabean revolt
00:04:37.233 --> 00:04:40.603
Began.
00:04:40.603 --> 00:04:52.915
The jews in the second
00:04:53.383 --> 00:04:54.517
Century bce were back in their ancestral land.
00:04:54.517 --> 00:04:57.553
They have managed to recover from the babylonian exile
00:04:57.553 --> 00:05:01.124
And return to the land of israel.
00:05:01.124 --> 00:05:03.926
But they were at first under persian control, later under
00:05:03.926 --> 00:05:07.463
My control.
00:05:07.463 --> 00:05:08.564
And in the second century b.c., they were under
00:05:08.564 --> 00:05:11.501
Seleucid greek power and antiochus.
00:05:11.501 --> 00:05:15.071
The third had a contract with the jews.
00:05:15.071 --> 00:05:18.374
They had to pay taxes, but they did have certain
00:05:18.374 --> 00:05:21.077
Political rights and especially important
00:05:21.077 --> 00:05:23.613
They had religious freedom.
00:05:23.613 --> 00:05:27.116
It was his successor, antiochus, the fourth,
00:05:27.116 --> 00:05:30.486
Who changed the policy and forbade jews from convening
00:05:30.486 --> 00:05:34.924
On shabbat, from circumcision, from keeping kosher.
00:05:34.924 --> 00:05:38.995
He wanted them to become pagan like he was,
00:05:38.995 --> 00:05:42.799
And when he defiled their temple in jerusalem and tried
00:05:42.799 --> 00:05:47.503
Forcing the people of modi'in here to join this pagan worship.
00:05:47.503 --> 00:05:52.642
When his representative reached modin, summoning all the elders
00:05:52.642 --> 00:05:56.946
And introducing this new cult, it was mateta.
00:05:56.946 --> 00:06:01.050
The priests who approached him in the altar
00:06:01.050 --> 00:06:05.021
And yet stabbed him to death
00:06:05.021 --> 00:06:09.358
And trashed the altar and called everyone around him.
00:06:09.358 --> 00:06:13.029
Anyone who is faithful to god's covenant, to our gods, covenant
00:06:13.029 --> 00:06:17.700
Who follows our law, follow me,
00:06:17.700 --> 00:06:21.504
And ignited the jewish rebellion.
00:06:21.504 --> 00:06:26.108
Now, let's put this into context.
00:06:26.108 --> 00:06:29.879
What are the odds of a few jewish peasant farmers
00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:34.083
Rebelling against the mighty greek army?
00:06:34.083 --> 00:06:39.422
A well-trained
00:06:39.422 --> 00:06:40.890
Military force equipped with weapons, with shields.
00:06:40.890 --> 00:06:43.993
They even had elephants.
00:06:43.993 --> 00:06:46.562
My teacher knew it's not going to be an easy task.
00:06:46.562 --> 00:06:49.665
And he appoints his son judah, to be the military commander
00:06:49.665 --> 00:06:55.004
And judah, the maccabee.
00:06:55.004 --> 00:06:56.372
In retrospect, one of the greatest military tacticians
00:06:56.372 --> 00:07:01.244
Realizing that his people are maybe highly motivated
00:07:01.244 --> 00:07:04.947
But not well equipped, they hide in the hills
00:07:04.947 --> 00:07:08.851
And they attack the greeks only when they are not prepared.
00:07:08.851 --> 00:07:12.054
And in the most vulnerable locations.
00:07:12.054 --> 00:07:17.860
Judah attacks them where they must narrow
00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:20.897
Their forces in this steep ascent and decimates them.
00:07:20.897 --> 00:07:25.668
But antioch is determined this region is going to remain
00:07:25.668 --> 00:07:29.739
Under my power until horst makes another attempt.
00:07:29.739 --> 00:07:34.877
And now he sends again a big force to attack jerusalem.
00:07:34.877 --> 00:07:38.681
But reaching it from the south.
00:07:38.681 --> 00:07:41.183
Nevertheless, judas is again prepared for that scenario.
00:07:41.183 --> 00:07:44.387
Again, he attacks and again he is victorious,
00:07:44.387 --> 00:07:50.793
And this time he uses the momentum
00:07:50.793 --> 00:07:52.862
And judas reaches jerusalem.
00:07:52.862 --> 00:07:54.864
He reaches the temple.
00:07:54.864 --> 00:07:56.732
He purifies it of the pagan worship
00:07:56.732 --> 00:07:59.101
That antiochus has established there and finds the menorah
00:07:59.101 --> 00:08:03.005
With a small jug laced with pure oil next to it.
00:08:03.005 --> 00:08:07.209
He ignites the light.
00:08:07.209 --> 00:08:09.211
The menorah is lit, but with a small amount.
00:08:09.211 --> 00:08:12.181
It should last for only one day or so.
00:08:12.181 --> 00:08:14.750
But by miracle, it kept lighting for eight consecutive days.
00:08:14.750 --> 00:08:20.289
And this is the source
00:08:20.289 --> 00:08:22.425
Of the jewish light festival that is celebrated to this day.
00:08:22.425 --> 00:08:26.495
Every year around christmas, hanukkah.
00:08:26.495 --> 00:08:39.575
Tracking the ancient side of the inn
00:08:40.376 --> 00:08:43.212
Can be done by tracking one specific monument
00:08:43.212 --> 00:08:46.649
That is described in detail in the book of maccabees.
00:08:46.649 --> 00:08:49.819
The tomb of the maccabees.
00:08:49.819 --> 00:08:54.991
The tomb of the maccabees was built on a hilltop
00:08:54.991 --> 00:08:58.561
And was quite a remarkable building.
00:08:58.561 --> 00:09:00.997
It had seven pyramids over it.
00:09:00.997 --> 00:09:03.032
It had reliefs depicting weapons and ships.
00:09:03.032 --> 00:09:06.902
However,
00:09:06.902 --> 00:09:08.004
Does this look like a building with seven pyramids?
00:09:08.004 --> 00:09:11.340
Does it look even like a tomb from the hellenistic period?
00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:15.111
Today, scholarship agrees
00:09:15.111 --> 00:09:17.179
That while this is very impressive,
00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:18.981
It is not the tomb of the maccabees.
00:09:18.981 --> 00:09:21.183
The location of the tomb of the maccabees
00:09:21.183 --> 00:09:23.719
And the city of modi'in is still somewhat of a mystery.
00:09:23.719 --> 00:09:28.157
It has to be in this area, but its exact location
00:09:28.157 --> 00:09:31.861
Is still a matter of scholarly dispute.
00:09:31.861 --> 00:09:37.800
While the location of the tomb of
00:09:37.800 --> 00:09:39.602
The maccabees is still somewhat of a mystery, very interesting.
00:09:39.602 --> 00:09:43.172
Archeological discoveries have been made in this area.
00:09:43.172 --> 00:09:48.144
This is the very southern edge of the modern city of modi'in,
00:09:48.144 --> 00:09:51.847
Which was developed about ten years ago.
00:09:51.847 --> 00:09:54.016
I know.
00:09:54.016 --> 00:09:55.017
So because i bought a house in this section.
00:09:55.017 --> 00:09:58.020
And salvage excavations conducted in this part
00:09:58.020 --> 00:10:01.524
Have uncovered
00:10:01.524 --> 00:10:02.391
Some very interesting remains
00:10:02.391 --> 00:10:04.026
Dating to the time of the maccabees.
00:10:04.026 --> 00:10:06.395
They include agricultural installations
00:10:06.395 --> 00:10:08.731
Like an olive press, a white mosaic floor,
00:10:08.731 --> 00:10:11.767
And at the very end, a stone structure of benches
00:10:11.767 --> 00:10:15.971
Lined against the wall focused around the center.
00:10:15.971 --> 00:10:19.775
This is a synagogue,
00:10:19.775 --> 00:10:22.945
A synagogue that is dated to the time of king herod.
00:10:22.945 --> 00:10:26.582
But beneath it lies
00:10:26.582 --> 00:10:27.883
Another layer from the time of the maccabees.
00:10:27.883 --> 00:10:31.620
And this makes it the oldest synagogue
00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:34.256
Ever found in the holy land and one of the oldest
00:10:34.256 --> 00:10:37.293
In jewish history in general.
00:10:37.293 --> 00:10:41.997
Realizing that this sight could be attributed
00:10:41.997 --> 00:10:44.867
To the maccabees themselves attracts jews and visitors.
00:10:44.867 --> 00:10:49.705
To this day, some people come and even pray here
00:10:49.705 --> 00:10:54.543
At the very same place where the maccabees may have
00:10:54.543 --> 00:10:57.780
Dwelt, may have assembled at the same spot
00:10:57.780 --> 00:11:00.416
Some 2200 years ago
00:11:00.416 --> 00:11:12.027
While people tend to think that archeologists
00:11:12.928 --> 00:11:15.397
Are all about big discoveries like mosaic floors of wine
00:11:15.397 --> 00:11:20.436
Presses or synagogues and temples and palaces, no.
00:11:20.436 --> 00:11:25.374
Sometimes what gets us
00:11:25.374 --> 00:11:26.976
Most excited are actually small little artifacts.
00:11:26.976 --> 00:11:30.312
Small little artifacts
00:11:30.312 --> 00:11:33.616
Like weapons.
00:11:33.616 --> 00:11:36.418
This item is an arrowhead.
00:11:36.418 --> 00:11:39.522
A bronze arrowhead
00:11:39.522 --> 00:11:40.923
Used in one of the battles in the hellenistic period.
00:11:40.923 --> 00:11:45.161
And this is even more exciting.
00:11:45.161 --> 00:11:47.062
This is a american football like shaped item.
00:11:47.062 --> 00:11:50.900
This thing is heavy, aerodynamic and very deadly.
00:11:50.900 --> 00:11:55.171
This is a device used in the slingshots
00:11:55.171 --> 00:11:58.440
In the hellenistic period, both by the maccabees
00:11:58.440 --> 00:12:01.544
And the seleucid greeks
00:12:01.544 --> 00:12:03.679
In finding it here, holding it in my hand.
00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:06.015
2200 years after it was used in the battles.
00:12:06.015 --> 00:12:09.852
It's such an exhilarating moment for me.
00:12:09.852 --> 00:12:14.290
Yes, the maccabees have battled here a long time ago,
00:12:14.290 --> 00:12:17.793
But their achievement and their spirit
00:12:17.793 --> 00:12:20.095
And their legacy is something that we cherish and follow.
00:12:20.095 --> 00:12:24.366
To this day,
00:12:24.366 --> 00:12:28.270
Happy hanukkah.
00:12:28.270 --> 00:12:34.143
Hanukkah is about miracles.
00:12:34.143 --> 00:12:36.779
The unbelievable defeat of a tyrannical regime,
00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:40.282
The incredible rescue of the holy temple
00:12:40.282 --> 00:12:43.018
And the supernatural gift of light.
00:12:43.018 --> 00:12:46.088
The story goes that during the temple's consecration,
00:12:46.088 --> 00:12:49.158
The maccabees discovered a single jar of pure oil.
00:12:49.158 --> 00:12:53.229
It was barely enough
00:12:53.229 --> 00:12:54.363
To light the grand menorah, but just for one night.
00:12:54.363 --> 00:12:58.200
Yet, inexplicably, the oil not only lasted through the night,
00:12:58.200 --> 00:13:02.304
But for eight whole days, feeding the eternal flame.
00:13:02.304 --> 00:13:06.442
The following year, the eight day holiday was born.
00:13:06.442 --> 00:13:09.011
What the gospel of john calls the feast of dedication.
00:13:09.011 --> 00:13:12.848
Now, more than 2000 years later, some believe this feast
00:13:12.848 --> 00:13:17.386
Has become more commercial and less spiritual.
00:13:17.386 --> 00:13:21.457
But for ze'ev orenstein,
00:13:21.457 --> 00:13:22.825
Director of international affairs
00:13:22.825 --> 00:13:24.660
At the city of david, ancient jerusalem, hanukkah
00:13:24.660 --> 00:13:27.730
Remains a testament to the jewish faith
00:13:27.730 --> 00:13:30.766
And a hallmark of the maccabees legacy.
00:13:30.766 --> 00:13:36.906
What is so special about hanukkah?
00:13:36.906 --> 00:13:41.310
What does the word hanukkah
00:13:41.310 --> 00:13:42.344
Even mean?
00:13:42.344 --> 00:13:46.882
Hanukkah means dedication.
00:13:46.882 --> 00:13:49.919
What is being dedicated?
00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:52.655
What we're celebrating on hanukkah
00:13:52.655 --> 00:13:54.590
Is the rededication of the temple
00:13:54.590 --> 00:13:56.992
When the greeks defile the temple atop the temple mount.
00:13:56.992 --> 00:14:00.195
One of the first goals, once the rebellion
00:14:00.195 --> 00:14:03.198
Against the greeks begins, is to take back the temple,
00:14:03.198 --> 00:14:06.969
To take back the temple mount, to take back jerusalem
00:14:06.969 --> 00:14:20.382
Early on in the rebellion against the greeks.
00:14:21.350 --> 00:14:23.986
Matt tiresias and his sons, together
00:14:23.986 --> 00:14:26.689
With those fighting alongside them, are able to take back
00:14:26.689 --> 00:14:30.859
The temple mount.
00:14:30.859 --> 00:14:34.496
But they're devastated
00:14:34.496 --> 00:14:36.098
Once they enter inside
00:14:36.098 --> 00:14:39.301
Because they see
00:14:39.301 --> 00:14:41.236
To what extent the greeks had desecrated the temple,
00:14:41.236 --> 00:14:44.974
Had defiled the temple, and every part of it,
00:14:44.974 --> 00:14:47.943
Including the holy of holies, including the altar.
00:14:47.943 --> 00:14:52.481
So they couldn't just restart the service.
00:14:52.481 --> 00:14:55.184
They understood that they would first have to purify
00:14:55.184 --> 00:14:58.187
The entire temple complex
00:14:58.187 --> 00:15:02.124
And that took time.
00:15:02.124 --> 00:15:03.692
But eventually they're able to cleanse the whole temple
00:15:03.692 --> 00:15:06.428
And they're ready to start the temple service once again.
00:15:06.428 --> 00:15:09.698
And one of the central pillars of the temple service
00:15:09.698 --> 00:15:13.402
Is the daily lighting of the menorah.
00:15:13.402 --> 00:15:22.111
And there's a problem
00:15:22.611 --> 00:15:24.213
Because the only way you can light the menorah
00:15:24.213 --> 00:15:27.983
Is with special olive oil made
00:15:27.983 --> 00:15:30.953
Exclusively for that purpose.
00:15:30.953 --> 00:15:35.357
But what do the greeks do?
00:15:35.357 --> 00:15:37.059
The greeks,
00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:38.193
In part of the desecration of the temple, desecrated
00:15:38.193 --> 00:15:41.130
All of the oil that had been sealed
00:15:41.130 --> 00:15:43.332
And set aside for the lighting of the menorah.
00:15:43.332 --> 00:15:45.601
So when the maccabees come in and want to restart
00:15:45.601 --> 00:15:48.470
The temple service, they want to light the menorah.
00:15:48.470 --> 00:15:51.840
They're stuck. they don't have any oil
00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:56.045
Until one small
00:15:56.045 --> 00:15:57.246
Flask of oil is discovered, still sealed, still kosher
00:15:57.246 --> 00:16:01.417
For use in the lining of the menorah.
00:16:01.417 --> 00:16:08.624
But there's a problem because this one flask
00:16:09.525 --> 00:16:12.795
Will only last for one day,
00:16:12.795 --> 00:16:16.098
And it will take many days before
00:16:16.098 --> 00:16:18.767
New olive oil will be ready for use in the temple.
00:16:18.767 --> 00:16:22.538
And so the maccabees,
00:16:22.538 --> 00:16:24.573
Who themselves were priests, they had a dilemma.
00:16:24.573 --> 00:16:27.976
Should they light the menorah
00:16:27.976 --> 00:16:30.779
With that one flask of oil that they had, hoping,
00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:34.383
Believing that some way things would work out?
00:16:34.383 --> 00:16:38.854
They decided to light anyway,
00:16:38.854 --> 00:16:41.423
And ultimately that oil, it kept burning.
00:16:41.423 --> 00:16:44.626
Not for one day, not for two days
00:16:44.626 --> 00:16:47.396
After three and four, four or five, six or seven.
00:16:47.396 --> 00:16:50.833
But it kept burning for eight days.
00:16:50.833 --> 00:17:04.813
Now, what are some of the customs and traditions
00:17:05.814 --> 00:17:08.951
That people who practice the hanukkah festival today
00:17:08.951 --> 00:17:12.121
That they take part in?
00:17:12.121 --> 00:17:13.889
The central tradition that we have on hanukkah
00:17:13.889 --> 00:17:17.259
Is, of course, to light the menorah,
00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:20.662
Or, as we say in hebrew, the hanukkah, the hanukkah lamp,
00:17:20.662 --> 00:17:26.802
Because one of the central elements of the festival
00:17:26.802 --> 00:17:29.905
Is to publicize the miracle, to increase light.
00:17:29.905 --> 00:17:33.742
And that's why the families, when they're lighting these,
00:17:33.742 --> 00:17:37.279
Can look out or menorahs,
00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:39.281
They're lighting them in the window
00:17:39.281 --> 00:17:41.183
Or in the doorframe
00:17:41.183 --> 00:17:42.518
Where people passing by will be able to see that light.
00:17:42.518 --> 00:17:45.921
And to be uplifted by that light, by that miracle,
00:17:45.921 --> 00:17:49.791
As a reminder that in many ways today
00:17:49.791 --> 00:17:52.828
We're all lamp lighters.
00:17:52.828 --> 00:17:58.901
We're all striving to bring light into the world,
00:17:58.901 --> 00:18:01.937
To our own lives,
00:18:01.937 --> 00:18:03.238
To our families, to our communities, to our nations,
00:18:03.238 --> 00:18:07.009
And really to the whole world.
00:18:07.009 --> 00:18:08.810
One teaching in our faith is a little bit of light,
00:18:08.810 --> 00:18:12.114
Drives away a lot of darkness and hanukkah comes
00:18:12.114 --> 00:18:16.084
In the middle of the winter at perhaps the darkest
00:18:16.084 --> 00:18:18.720
Time of the year where the sun sets really early.
00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:22.791
And at that moment, at perhaps the darkest time of the year,
00:18:22.791 --> 00:18:26.295
It's when we're bringing the most light into the world
00:18:26.295 --> 00:18:29.364
To remind ourselves and everyone else
00:18:29.364 --> 00:18:31.700
That no matter how dark it might be around us,
00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:34.570
There's always light that we can shine.
00:18:34.570 --> 00:18:38.674
Another custom that we have on the hanukkah
00:18:38.674 --> 00:18:41.210
Festival is related to the miracle of the oil
00:18:41.210 --> 00:18:46.315
Well.
00:18:46.548 --> 00:18:47.749
Jewish tradition has come up with a few very clever ways,
00:18:47.749 --> 00:18:50.285
Which is, in short, to eat foods that are saturated in oil.
00:18:50.285 --> 00:18:55.123
So one of the most common foods is donuts.
00:18:55.123 --> 00:18:58.393
We're talking about a unique type of donut called
00:18:58.393 --> 00:19:01.263
A sufganiyot that you find in israel fried in oil.
00:19:01.263 --> 00:19:05.701
And there are all sorts
00:19:05.701 --> 00:19:06.668
Of different kinds with different flavors.
00:19:06.668 --> 00:19:08.370
And when you walk the streets of jerusalem,
00:19:08.370 --> 00:19:10.639
It's become a big business.
00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:12.140
Seeing all the different kinds of sufganiyot.
00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:14.610
But the reason why we're eating donuts on hanukkah
00:19:14.610 --> 00:19:17.379
Is not just because donuts are delicious,
00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:19.815
But it's meant to remind us of the miracle of the oil.
00:19:19.815 --> 00:19:22.351
And one of the things that we try to do in our faith
00:19:22.351 --> 00:19:25.254
Is not just to remember intellectually,
00:19:25.254 --> 00:19:27.422
But what are the things we can do in our lives to
00:19:27.422 --> 00:19:31.893
In some physical manifestation, bring that miracle to life.
00:19:31.893 --> 00:19:36.365
Now, there's one other custom that has really entered
00:19:36.365 --> 00:19:39.468
The hearts of small children, and that is
00:19:39.468 --> 00:19:43.005
What is known as the small toy, known as a dreidel,
00:19:43.005 --> 00:19:47.943
A four sided
00:19:47.943 --> 00:19:48.944
Top, which has on each side a hebrew letter.
00:19:48.944 --> 00:19:52.714
There are two different versions of this top.
00:19:52.714 --> 00:19:54.816
The four letters spell out the words
00:19:54.816 --> 00:19:57.919
Nice girdle haya pole.
00:19:57.919 --> 00:20:00.756
A great miracle happened here in jerusalem.
00:20:00.756 --> 00:20:04.826
Or if you're outside of israel it's nice.
00:20:04.826 --> 00:20:07.663
Guy doll haya sham.
00:20:07.663 --> 00:20:09.631
A great miracle happened there.
00:20:09.631 --> 00:20:11.667
Referring to of course, the land of israel.
00:20:11.667 --> 00:20:14.269
But the person being somewhere else.
00:20:14.269 --> 00:20:18.840
Now, what was the purpose of this small little top?
00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:22.377
And the answer is very simple.
00:20:22.377 --> 00:20:28.684
When the greeks outlawed the study of torah,
00:20:28.684 --> 00:20:31.653
That was something that the jewish people would not abide.
00:20:31.653 --> 00:20:34.890
And so what would they do?
00:20:34.890 --> 00:20:36.224
They would study the torah in hiding,
00:20:36.224 --> 00:20:38.727
And they would have the kids
00:20:38.727 --> 00:20:40.195
Sitting outside somewhere playing with this little top.
00:20:40.195 --> 00:20:43.832
And when the kids would see the greek mercenaries coming,
00:20:43.832 --> 00:20:46.802
They would shout out,
00:20:46.802 --> 00:20:48.170
The greeks are coming, the greeks are coming.
00:20:48.170 --> 00:20:51.206
Still today,
00:20:51.206 --> 00:20:52.274
Jewish children play this game of dreidel,
00:20:52.274 --> 00:20:56.244
Depending on the letter at the top falls out on.
00:20:56.244 --> 00:20:59.081
You either earn chocolate coins or you lose chocolate coins.
00:20:59.081 --> 00:21:03.118
And it's why ultimately both for it's heartwarming
00:21:03.118 --> 00:21:06.521
And stomach filling customs, but also the message
00:21:06.521 --> 00:21:11.326
Being so relevant and so uplifting.
00:21:11.326 --> 00:21:13.995
That makes hanukkah one of the most beloved
00:21:13.995 --> 00:21:16.231
Festivals of our day today.
00:21:16.231 --> 00:21:22.571
The fact that for the last 20 plus years
00:21:22.571 --> 00:21:25.407
Here in the land of israel, here in jerusalem
00:21:25.407 --> 00:21:28.543
And throughout the world, where jews have been celebrating
00:21:28.543 --> 00:21:32.080
This festival, lighting the menorah in their windows
00:21:32.080 --> 00:21:36.351
In far flung communities,
00:21:36.351 --> 00:21:37.719
In the most unexpected of places, shows that ultimately
00:21:37.719 --> 00:21:41.423
The spirit of the maccabees, the spirit of hanukkah, endured.
00:21:41.423 --> 00:21:45.427
The idea that when you stand true
00:21:45.427 --> 00:21:48.096
To your values, to your faith, to your way of life,
00:21:48.096 --> 00:21:52.000
Then ultimately when you stand with god,
00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:56.938
Things will endure
00:21:56.938 --> 00:21:58.306
That even
00:21:58.306 --> 00:21:59.474
Though it may seem dark, the story of hanukkah reminds us
00:21:59.474 --> 00:22:02.944
That there is light to be found and that ultimately
00:22:02.944 --> 00:22:05.514
We are the ones responsible for bringing that light
00:22:05.514 --> 00:22:09.184
Into the world.
00:22:09.184 --> 00:22:13.789
Coming up, award winning messianic recording artist
00:22:14.823 --> 00:22:17.592
Joshua aron
00:22:17.592 --> 00:22:18.693
Joins us for some incredible hanukkah themed worship
00:22:18.693 --> 00:22:21.863
As our tbn special hanukkah festival of lights
00:22:21.863 --> 00:22:25.400
Continues.
00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:30.004
Continues.
00:22:30.004 --> 00:22:36.611
Why celebrate hanukkah?
00:22:37.112 --> 00:22:38.613
If you're not jewish,
00:22:38.613 --> 00:22:40.248
Why learn its history or understand its meaning?
00:22:40.248 --> 00:22:43.151
If you and your loved ones don't follow judaism,
00:22:43.151 --> 00:22:46.455
Christianity has deep jewish roots.
00:22:46.455 --> 00:22:48.990
Our savior, jesus was hebrew, as were the original 12 apostles,
00:22:48.990 --> 00:22:54.062
And the earliest christians were considered a jewish sect.
00:22:54.062 --> 00:22:57.499
According to fusion global founder rabbi jason sobel.
00:22:57.499 --> 00:23:00.535
Jewish holidays are also biblical holidays, and hanukkah
00:23:00.535 --> 00:23:04.372
Holds special significance for christians, too.
00:23:04.372 --> 00:23:07.909
Rabbi jason is here to explain that hanukkah
00:23:07.909 --> 00:23:10.212
Isn't just a time for the jewish people.
00:23:10.212 --> 00:23:12.781
It's a time for all people because it is one of the lord's
00:23:12.781 --> 00:23:16.718
Appointed times.
00:23:16.718 --> 00:23:17.719
Rabbi jason, great to see as always.
00:23:17.719 --> 00:23:19.554
My friend will.
00:23:19.554 --> 00:23:20.689
Always love being with you. you too. happy hanukkah.
00:23:20.689 --> 00:23:23.258
First of all. hanukkah, samir.
00:23:23.258 --> 00:23:24.993
Happy hanukkah. yes. and hey.
00:23:24.993 --> 00:23:26.962
Okay.
00:23:26.962 --> 00:23:28.129
Growing up in new jersey, how did you celebrate hanukkah
00:23:28.129 --> 00:23:30.999
And how did that change once you became a follower of jesus,
00:23:30.999 --> 00:23:34.936
Yeshua?
00:23:34.936 --> 00:23:36.171
Yeah, hanukkah is all about the food, the fun and the gifts.
00:23:36.171 --> 00:23:41.243
Right.
00:23:41.243 --> 00:23:42.377
So we light the menorah, the nine branch candelabra.
00:23:42.377 --> 00:23:46.414
We eat potato pancakes and fried fried potato
00:23:46.414 --> 00:23:50.785
Pancakes and donuts, and we spin the dreidel
00:23:50.785 --> 00:23:54.689
And eat chocolate and we get presents.
00:23:54.689 --> 00:23:57.359
It was kind of
00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:58.493
Our jewish version of christmas, so it was a lot of fun.
00:23:58.493 --> 00:24:02.063
But i didn't understand the great spiritual depths
00:24:02.063 --> 00:24:07.469
For us and the relevancy today and how it ultimately points
00:24:07.469 --> 00:24:11.239
To the messiah.
00:24:11.239 --> 00:24:12.340
Yeah, and look, jesus obviously observed hanukkah,
00:24:12.340 --> 00:24:15.477
The festival of lights, the bible talks about it,
00:24:15.477 --> 00:24:17.779
And we're going to unpack that in a second.
00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:19.447
But why should christians care about hanukkah?
00:24:19.447 --> 00:24:23.018
Yeah, i mean, i think one, as you said, john ten,
00:24:23.018 --> 00:24:25.987
Yeshua himself celebrates hanukkah.
00:24:25.987 --> 00:24:29.691
Remember, we used to have those bracelets.
00:24:29.691 --> 00:24:31.226
Ww jd, what would jesus do?
00:24:31.226 --> 00:24:33.562
Well, he would celebrate hanukkah,
00:24:33.562 --> 00:24:35.130
Right, as well as the rest of the biblical holiday.
00:24:35.130 --> 00:24:37.599
So again, it was important for him.
00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:40.035
It's important
00:24:40.035 --> 00:24:41.102
For us and important to understand the scripture.
00:24:41.102 --> 00:24:44.673
But i think there's something more.
00:24:44.673 --> 00:24:46.641
I think hanukkah,
00:24:46.641 --> 00:24:48.076
Like all the biblical holidays, still has important
00:24:48.076 --> 00:24:51.680
Relevance in spirit to truth, because honestly,
00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:54.583
The story of hanukkah is still going on today.
00:24:54.583 --> 00:24:59.588
It was a culture war between the hellenistic
00:24:59.588 --> 00:25:04.159
Syrians who were influenced by the greek culture,
00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:07.162
And they were in in battle.
00:25:07.162 --> 00:25:08.730
It was a culture war first and foremost was pagan.
00:25:08.730 --> 00:25:11.366
Pagan.
00:25:11.366 --> 00:25:12.434
But what was going to be more important, the body
00:25:12.434 --> 00:25:15.236
Or the spirit, going to the gym
00:25:15.236 --> 00:25:18.773
Or going to the house of worship, the house of prayer
00:25:18.773 --> 00:25:22.110
In the house of study, which had greater priority,
00:25:22.110 --> 00:25:26.881
Human reason in philosophy or revelation?
00:25:26.881 --> 00:25:31.419
Well, again, we're still in there today.
00:25:31.419 --> 00:25:33.521
Our culture is greco-roman.
00:25:33.521 --> 00:25:35.824
We elevate the body, we elevate beauty, we elevate intellect,
00:25:35.824 --> 00:25:41.329
And we elevate the gym oftentimes,
00:25:41.329 --> 00:25:44.599
Or sports above the spiritual, above
00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:48.536
Prayer and worship, above god's house that his priorities.
00:25:48.536 --> 00:25:51.973
And so the same culture war
00:25:51.973 --> 00:25:54.275
That was going on then is still going on
00:25:54.275 --> 00:25:56.645
Today, has important message for us.
00:25:56.645 --> 00:25:58.613
And at its root, it's a battle for religious freedom.
00:25:58.613 --> 00:26:02.017
And we see that today, too, right?
00:26:02.017 --> 00:26:03.585
Absolutely. yeah, absolutely.
00:26:03.585 --> 00:26:05.453
How do you and your family, i mean, incredible historical,
00:26:05.453 --> 00:26:07.922
Spiritual significance as you just broke down, rabbi,
00:26:07.922 --> 00:26:10.625
How do you and your family,
00:26:10.625 --> 00:26:11.593
Now that you are a follower of yeshua,
00:26:11.593 --> 00:26:13.561
How do you and your family observe hanukkah today?
00:26:13.561 --> 00:26:16.598
Yeah, we light the menorah
00:26:16.598 --> 00:26:19.934
Known as a hanukkah tree, minus of god's light.
00:26:19.934 --> 00:26:23.238
We spin the dreidel.
00:26:23.238 --> 00:26:24.439
Actually, the entire gospel is contained in this
00:26:24.439 --> 00:26:27.776
Little four sided top that we spin at hanukkah.
00:26:27.776 --> 00:26:31.546
It's absolutely incredible message in the dreidel.
00:26:31.546 --> 00:26:34.883
But of course, we also talk about yeshua
00:26:34.883 --> 00:26:37.252
Being the center of it as being the light of the world.
00:26:37.252 --> 00:26:41.056
Yeah. can you expand on that more?
00:26:41.056 --> 00:26:42.524
Jesus, obviously the light of the world.
00:26:42.524 --> 00:26:44.125
This is the festival of lights, jesus observed.
00:26:44.125 --> 00:26:46.795
He went up to jerusalem for hanukkah.
00:26:46.795 --> 00:26:48.596
Can you unpack that a bit more?
00:26:48.596 --> 00:26:49.831
Rabbi jesus, the light, the parallel there with hanukkah.
00:26:49.831 --> 00:26:53.368
Yeah.
00:26:53.368 --> 00:26:54.602
So it's so what's so interesting is john chapter ten is shoe.
00:26:54.602 --> 00:26:57.772
It goes up, jesus goes up.
00:26:57.772 --> 00:26:59.374
The celebrates hanukkah.
00:26:59.374 --> 00:27:00.942
They said, will you tell us plainly, are you the messiah?
00:27:00.942 --> 00:27:05.313
As part of that discussion, he says, i and the father are one.
00:27:05.313 --> 00:27:10.418
Well, what's really radical about that?
00:27:10.418 --> 00:27:12.253
And they picked up stones and stone him.
00:27:12.253 --> 00:27:13.688
Like, why did they get so upset?
00:27:13.688 --> 00:27:15.323
They want to kill him at hanukkah.
00:27:15.323 --> 00:27:17.158
Well, the bad guy
00:27:17.158 --> 00:27:18.326
In the story of hanukkah is it takes epiphanies
00:27:18.326 --> 00:27:21.362
And it literally means god manifest.
00:27:21.362 --> 00:27:24.199
So in take his claim to be god in the flesh.
00:27:24.199 --> 00:27:27.102
And they said he's crazy.
00:27:27.102 --> 00:27:28.937
And here is yeshua who's basically
00:27:28.937 --> 00:27:31.673
Claiming the same thing, but it's not false.
00:27:31.673 --> 00:27:34.342
It's true.
00:27:34.342 --> 00:27:35.376
And that's why they get so upset like that.
00:27:35.376 --> 00:27:37.445
You have such chutzpah
00:27:37.445 --> 00:27:38.747
That on this holiday where we defeated a guy,
00:27:38.747 --> 00:27:41.182
A dude
00:27:41.182 --> 00:27:41.716
Who thought he was
00:27:41.716 --> 00:27:42.951
God in the flesh, now you're claiming to be god in the flesh.
00:27:42.951 --> 00:27:45.520
But here's the interesting thing.
00:27:45.520 --> 00:27:47.155
The numerical value of messiah is 358 the numerical value
00:27:47.155 --> 00:27:51.659
Of the statement in hebrew i and the father are one is 358.
00:27:51.659 --> 00:27:56.698
And guess what?
00:27:56.698 --> 00:27:57.499
Hanukkah is the festival of lights,
00:27:57.499 --> 00:27:59.667
And it has a numerical value.
00:27:59.667 --> 00:28:02.270
When you say or all white of the world
00:28:02.270 --> 00:28:06.441
Is 358 yeshua is the light of the world.
00:28:06.441 --> 00:28:10.545
358 he is the messiah.
00:28:10.545 --> 00:28:12.547
358 because he and the father are one 358
00:28:12.547 --> 00:28:16.951
And what so significant about that is when god created
00:28:16.951 --> 00:28:20.855
The world in the very beginning he said by
00:28:20.855 --> 00:28:22.657
Or let there be light,
00:28:22.657 --> 00:28:24.292
But the sun and the moon weren't created to the fourth day.
00:28:24.292 --> 00:28:27.128
What was the light
00:28:27.128 --> 00:28:28.763
Of the first three of the first few three days of creation
00:28:28.763 --> 00:28:32.433
Before the fourth day?
00:28:32.433 --> 00:28:33.902
Well, jewish tradition
00:28:33.902 --> 00:28:35.236
And i believe biblically, it's correct
00:28:35.236 --> 00:28:36.938
That it was the light of god's glorious presence.
00:28:36.938 --> 00:28:39.440
But then godhead that light with the fall and the rabbi say,
00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:42.811
Where did god hide that light?
00:28:42.811 --> 00:28:44.879
Several places.
00:28:44.879 --> 00:28:45.947
One is in god's word.
00:28:45.947 --> 00:28:47.215
His word is a lamp into his feet, a light into our path.
00:28:47.215 --> 00:28:50.685
Another place they said they hit.
00:28:50.685 --> 00:28:52.420
It is in the light of the menorah.
00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:54.189
So when we light the candles of the menorah,
00:28:54.189 --> 00:28:56.925
It's actually a glimpse into the light of the messiah,
00:28:56.925 --> 00:29:00.428
Asking god to shine that in our house.
00:29:00.428 --> 00:29:02.964
But ultimately
00:29:02.964 --> 00:29:04.098
That divine light is found in the person of messiah,
00:29:04.098 --> 00:29:07.602
In the glory of god
00:29:07.602 --> 00:29:09.003
That was in the temple, the glory of god that was there
00:29:09.003 --> 00:29:11.539
At the beginning of the creation is ultimately in yeshua.
00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:14.609
And that's why the book of revelation
00:29:14.609 --> 00:29:16.144
Tells us in the messianic kingdom
00:29:16.144 --> 00:29:17.846
There's no sign because the lamb is the sun.
00:29:17.846 --> 00:29:21.349
He restores the divine light, which points to hanukkah.
00:29:21.349 --> 00:29:25.220
Hanukkah is much deeper than i think we all thought.
00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:27.789
This is amazing. rabbi. hey, last question.
00:29:27.789 --> 00:29:30.358
When you started to learn all this about hanukkah
00:29:30.358 --> 00:29:32.861
And unpack it all the spiritual significance
00:29:32.861 --> 00:29:35.363
And how it points to yeshua,
00:29:35.363 --> 00:29:37.131
It must have blown your mind, i'm guessing.
00:29:37.131 --> 00:29:38.600
Oh, absolutely. absolutely incredible.
00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:41.069
And again, the significance of it,
00:29:41.069 --> 00:29:43.705
Because there's always more to say.
00:29:43.705 --> 00:29:45.840
There's always more.
00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:47.375
These holidays, again are prophetic,
00:29:47.375 --> 00:29:50.211
So they always connect with something
00:29:50.211 --> 00:29:52.413
That is going on in the world today.
00:29:52.413 --> 00:29:54.549
An example of that.
00:29:54.549 --> 00:29:56.284
Hanukkah has a numerical value of 83.
00:29:56.284 --> 00:29:59.721
It has the same numerical value of gaza
00:29:59.721 --> 00:30:03.491
Where the whole war in the middle east
00:30:03.491 --> 00:30:06.361
Began on october 7th.
00:30:06.361 --> 00:30:08.363
Well, what's the connection between hanukkah and gaza?
00:30:08.363 --> 00:30:12.233
Well, one of the reasons
00:30:12.233 --> 00:30:13.601
That was given for the attack on october 7th,
00:30:13.601 --> 00:30:16.905
The name of the operation from hamas's side
00:30:16.905 --> 00:30:20.808
And the terrorist side was the alaska flood.
00:30:20.808 --> 00:30:24.479
The alaska refers to the temple
00:30:24.479 --> 00:30:27.916
Mount in jerusalem, where the dome of the rock sits
00:30:27.916 --> 00:30:31.920
In the alaska mosque, the third holiest site in islam.
00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:35.757
So they felt jews were beginning to pray on there.
00:30:35.757 --> 00:30:39.560
The red heifers were coming.
00:30:39.560 --> 00:30:41.262
They thought they were going to rebuild the temple
00:30:41.262 --> 00:30:43.464
And they were desecrating their holy site.
00:30:43.464 --> 00:30:45.533
And so that's one of the reasons
00:30:45.533 --> 00:30:46.868
They justified their killing, murdering on october 7th.
00:30:46.868 --> 00:30:50.772
Well, guess what? gaza.
00:30:50.772 --> 00:30:52.440
It came from gaza. 83. what's hanukkah about?
00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:55.209
Hanukkah was about a wicked king murdering jews,
00:30:55.209 --> 00:30:59.180
Desecrating the temple.
00:30:59.180 --> 00:31:00.615
And hanukkah is the story about how we retook the temple,
00:31:00.615 --> 00:31:04.919
Rededicated the temple and the worship of god.
00:31:04.919 --> 00:31:08.323
Hanukkah 83, gaza 83.
00:31:08.323 --> 00:31:11.025
Still the same focus on the temple mount,
00:31:11.025 --> 00:31:14.028
A point of contention because it's not political,
00:31:14.028 --> 00:31:17.098
It is spiritual, this conflict at its roots. yes.
00:31:17.098 --> 00:31:19.834
Rabbi jason, amazing insights, as always, focusing much,
00:31:19.834 --> 00:31:23.338
Much more of this on god's appointed times here on tbn
00:31:23.338 --> 00:31:26.407
With rabbi jason. happy hanukkah
00:31:26.407 --> 00:31:33.147
Hanukkah is a
00:31:33.514 --> 00:31:34.716
Celebration of miracles, light and faith, a time to reflect
00:31:34.716 --> 00:31:39.087
On the enduring covenant between god and his people.
00:31:39.087 --> 00:31:43.024
Joshua aaron
00:31:43.024 --> 00:31:44.058
Is an internationally acclaimed
00:31:44.058 --> 00:31:45.693
Messianic worship leader and songwriter
00:31:45.693 --> 00:31:47.862
Whose music has touched hearts around the globe.
00:31:47.862 --> 00:31:51.065
Joshua's unique blend of ancient traditions and modern worship
00:31:51.065 --> 00:31:55.069
Has united believers
00:31:55.069 --> 00:31:56.504
In powerful expressions of faith, reminding us
00:31:56.504 --> 00:31:59.807
Of the deep connection between our christian heritage
00:31:59.807 --> 00:32:03.011
And the jewish roots of our faith.
00:32:03.011 --> 00:32:05.480
He joins us now to talk more about this special season
00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:08.816
And what it means to him.
00:32:08.816 --> 00:32:10.084
Great to see you, my friend and my brother.
00:32:10.084 --> 00:32:13.187
Yes, yes, yes. first question.
00:32:13.187 --> 00:32:16.290
As a songwriter, as a musician,
00:32:16.290 --> 00:32:19.060
In a season like hanukkah, what kind of inspiration does
00:32:19.060 --> 00:32:22.163
That give you?
00:32:22.163 --> 00:32:23.264
Is the festival of lights the feast of dedication?
00:32:23.264 --> 00:32:26.200
Is this a time of year where you get inspired
00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:28.836
To make some great music?
00:32:28.836 --> 00:32:31.472
Absolutely.
00:32:31.472 --> 00:32:32.673
You know, it's it's for me, you know, as a father of five,
00:32:32.673 --> 00:32:35.510
Father of two israeli soldiers,
00:32:35.510 --> 00:32:38.346
My wife and i really have to stand for
00:32:38.346 --> 00:32:41.749
The god of israel in a spiritual and a very physical way.
00:32:41.749 --> 00:32:46.254
And in this physical earth, this reality we're living in.
00:32:46.254 --> 00:32:49.257
So hanukkah is huge for us.
00:32:49.257 --> 00:32:51.292
You know, first of all, as a father,
00:32:51.292 --> 00:32:52.960
As a follower of the great rabbi jesus, yeshua,
00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:56.998
He went up we know he went up in jerusalem
00:32:56.998 --> 00:32:58.766
To celebrate the feast of dedication.
00:32:58.766 --> 00:33:01.135
And what that feast is just one,
00:33:01.135 --> 00:33:04.338
You know, one of many stories of us,
00:33:04.338 --> 00:33:07.075
Our people standing against imminent annihilation
00:33:07.075 --> 00:33:10.745
Or the threat of being held back from worshiping
00:33:10.745 --> 00:33:15.016
The god of israel.
00:33:15.016 --> 00:33:16.384
So really for us, it's
00:33:16.384 --> 00:33:17.518
Just a reminder every year that we're still here
00:33:17.518 --> 00:33:20.588
And we can we're not going to stop worshiping
00:33:20.588 --> 00:33:22.924
The god of abraham, isaac and jacob.
00:33:22.924 --> 00:33:24.725
Yeah.
00:33:24.725 --> 00:33:25.693
And for gentile believers like me, joshua,
00:33:25.693 --> 00:33:27.562
Why does hanukkah matter?
00:33:27.562 --> 00:33:28.796
Some people might say,
00:33:28.796 --> 00:33:29.997
Well, it's a jewish holiday, but for followers of jesus,
00:33:29.997 --> 00:33:32.667
You're sure this is a big deal for us to write for
00:33:32.667 --> 00:33:35.603
Just across large jewish gentile, everyone should
00:33:35.603 --> 00:33:39.207
Really pay attention to hanukkah and we can all celebrate it.
00:33:39.207 --> 00:33:42.477
Yeah.
00:33:42.477 --> 00:33:43.711
I mean, if you think about it, the temple that jesus came to
00:33:43.711 --> 00:33:46.681
Was that temple that the maccabees
00:33:46.681 --> 00:33:48.349
Came to defend and got rid of the false gods.
00:33:48.349 --> 00:33:51.719
So they played a part in the historical preparation
00:33:51.719 --> 00:33:55.490
For our messiah to come and walk up those steps,
00:33:55.490 --> 00:33:58.826
The temple mount.
00:33:58.826 --> 00:34:00.194
So, yeah, it's a big part.
00:34:00.194 --> 00:34:01.662
And of course,
00:34:01.662 --> 00:34:02.897
As i said earlier, this is the this is what our messiah went up
00:34:02.897 --> 00:34:06.134
And celebrated as well because he knew
00:34:06.134 --> 00:34:08.202
That was a historic moment, the survival of our people
00:34:08.202 --> 00:34:11.339
And the ancient temple of israel.
00:34:11.339 --> 00:34:13.508
Yeah, if it's important for jesus,
00:34:13.508 --> 00:34:15.576
I think it's important for all of us.
00:34:15.576 --> 00:34:17.612
Hey we're about to show a clip from one of
00:34:17.612 --> 00:34:19.413
Your great performances at the tower of david in jerusalem.
00:34:19.413 --> 00:34:23.518
The song is called you are holy joshua.
00:34:23.518 --> 00:34:25.987
Tell us more about it, why it's so important
00:34:25.987 --> 00:34:27.822
And why it's so relevant for the hanukkah season.
00:34:27.822 --> 00:34:30.625
You are holy.
00:34:30.625 --> 00:34:31.726
Yeah, it's from joshua 2415 when we were coming out
00:34:31.726 --> 00:34:34.695
Of the desert
00:34:34.695 --> 00:34:35.830
Wandering for 40 years, we were about to come into
00:34:35.830 --> 00:34:38.032
The promised land in joshua
00:34:38.032 --> 00:34:40.001
The good joshua, the general joshua.
00:34:40.001 --> 00:34:41.769
He said, choose this day whom you will serve.
00:34:41.769 --> 00:34:44.639
But as for me and my house, we will serve the lord,
00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:47.842
The god of abraham, isaac and jacob.
00:34:47.842 --> 00:34:50.077
And that's what that song is.
00:34:50.077 --> 00:34:51.179
This is declaration of serving the god of israel.
00:34:51.179 --> 00:34:54.415
Great stuff, joshua. happy hanukkah, my friend.
00:34:54.415 --> 00:34:56.651
And folks, without further ado,
00:34:56.651 --> 00:34:57.952
Let's go to jerusalem to the tower of david
00:34:57.952 --> 00:35:00.755
For an incredible performance by joshua aaron
00:35:00.755 --> 00:35:04.525
“you are holy”
00:35:04.525 --> 00:35:26.180
As for me and my house.
00:35:26.681 --> 00:35:30.318
We will serve you lord
00:35:30.318 --> 00:35:33.754
Lifting holy hands in worship.
00:35:33.754 --> 00:35:40.194
We will not bow down to the gods of men.
00:35:40.194 --> 00:35:45.866
We will worship
00:35:45.866 --> 00:35:48.236
The god of israel
00:35:48.236 --> 00:35:52.240
You are holy
00:35:52.240 --> 00:35:56.344
Holy
00:35:56.344 --> 00:35:58.646
There is no one else like you
00:35:58.646 --> 00:36:04.685
You are holy
00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:09.123
Holy
00:36:09.123 --> 00:36:11.726
There is no one else like you
00:36:11.726 --> 00:36:17.898
As for me and my house
00:36:17.898 --> 00:36:21.402
We will serve you lord,
00:36:21.402 --> 00:36:24.538
Lifting holy hands in worship
00:36:24.538 --> 00:36:31.345
We will not bow down to the gods of men
00:36:31.345 --> 00:36:36.984
We will worship
00:36:36.984 --> 00:36:39.320
The god of israel
00:36:39.320 --> 00:36:42.923
For you are holy
00:36:42.923 --> 00:36:47.528
Holy
00:36:47.528 --> 00:36:49.864
There is no one else
00:36:49.864 --> 00:36:53.000
Like you.
00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:56.270
You are holy
00:36:56.270 --> 00:36:59.273
Holy
00:36:59.273 --> 00:37:02.710
There is no one else
00:37:02.710 --> 00:37:05.146
Like you.
00:37:05.146 --> 00:37:07.682
For you are holy
00:37:08.082 --> 00:37:12.987
Holy
00:37:12.987 --> 00:37:15.589
There is no one else
00:37:15.589 --> 00:37:18.592
Like you
00:37:18.592 --> 00:37:21.495
You are holy
00:37:21.829 --> 00:37:25.900
Holy
00:37:25.900 --> 00:37:28.302
There is no one else
00:37:28.302 --> 00:37:31.339
Like you.
00:37:31.339 --> 00:37:34.809
Choose this day whom you will serve
00:37:35.576 --> 00:37:40.581
Oh, come on choose this day
00:37:40.581 --> 00:37:43.551
Whom you will serve
00:37:43.551 --> 00:37:47.121
But as for me and my half
00:37:47.121 --> 00:37:51.292
We will serve you lord
00:37:51.292 --> 00:38:02.803
For you are holy
00:37:55.496 --> 00:38:06.841
Holy
00:38:06.841 --> 00:38:09.710
There is no one else
00:38:09.710 --> 00:38:13.013
Like you
00:38:13.013 --> 00:38:16.117
*singing in hebrew*
00:38:16.650 --> 00:38:53.621
There is no one else like you
00:38:53.621 --> 00:39:33.093
We will not bow to the gods of men,
00:39:33.861 --> 00:39:40.734
We█ll worship, the god of israel
00:39:36.964 --> 00:39:46.040
No, we will not bow to the gods c of men,
00:39:46.040 --> 00:39:49.610
We will not bow to the god of men,
00:39:49.610 --> 00:39:52.780
We█ll worship
00:39:52.780 --> 00:39:54.348
The god of israel.
00:39:54.348 --> 00:39:59.420
We will not bow to the gods of men,
00:39:59.420 --> 00:40:05.726
We█ll worship
00:40:02.756 --> 00:40:07.161
The god of israel
00:40:07.161 --> 00:40:11.765
We will not bow to the gods of men,
00:40:11.765 --> 00:40:18.439
We█ll worship
00:40:15.603 --> 00:40:20.040
The god of israel
00:40:20.040 --> 00:40:26.947
As for me and my house
00:40:27.414 --> 00:40:31.051
We will serve you lord
00:40:31.051 --> 00:40:34.121
Lifting holy hands in worship
00:40:34.121 --> 00:40:41.061
We will not bow down to the gods of men
00:40:41.061 --> 00:40:46.700
We will worship
00:40:46.700 --> 00:40:49.303
The god of israel
00:40:49.303 --> 00:41:01.849
Coming up, he's
00:41:02.216 --> 00:41:03.350
Host of discovering the jewish jesus right here on tbn.
00:41:03.350 --> 00:41:06.520
But when did rabbi kurt schneider
00:41:06.520 --> 00:41:08.422
Discover jesus in hanukkah and why would the savior
00:41:08.422 --> 00:41:12.159
Of the world commemorate this very festive holiday?
00:41:12.159 --> 00:41:15.629
Find out.
00:41:15.629 --> 00:41:16.897
Next is our tbn special hanukkah festival of lights continues.
00:41:16.897 --> 00:41:24.007
Next is our tbn special hanukkah festival of lights continues.
00:41:24.007 --> 00:41:31.378
As the hanukkah
00:41:31.745 --> 00:41:32.780
Candles are lit this year,
00:41:32.780 --> 00:41:34.014
We find ourselves in a moment unlike any other in israel's
00:41:34.014 --> 00:41:38.085
Modern history, a season of hope amidst turmoil.
00:41:38.085 --> 00:41:42.089
We're joined now by rabbi kurt schneider, host of discovering
00:41:42.089 --> 00:41:44.925
The jewish jesus, seen right here on tbn.
00:41:44.925 --> 00:41:47.595
And he's going to take us through
00:41:47.595 --> 00:41:49.196
Hanukkah's profound significance
00:41:49.196 --> 00:41:51.498
And how it's not just for the jewish people,
00:41:51.498 --> 00:41:53.500
But for christians
00:41:53.500 --> 00:41:54.902
Who stand in solidarity with israel and the jewish people.
00:41:54.902 --> 00:41:58.606
Rabbi, always great to see you.
00:41:58.606 --> 00:42:01.008
And hanukkah this year.
00:42:01.008 --> 00:42:03.277
Such a crucial time, obviously,
00:42:03.277 --> 00:42:04.845
For israel and the jewish people.
00:42:04.845 --> 00:42:06.647
And it seems, rabbi, like a time for christians now
00:42:06.647 --> 00:42:09.450
More than ever to understand why hanukkah is so significant.
00:42:09.450 --> 00:42:13.988
Do you see it that way?
00:42:13.988 --> 00:42:14.989
That gentile followers of jesus should get much
00:42:14.989 --> 00:42:18.425
More in touch with hanukkah and its larger meaning?
00:42:18.425 --> 00:42:21.495
After all, yeshua
00:42:21.495 --> 00:42:22.963
Jesus himself celebrated and observed hanukkah.
00:42:22.963 --> 00:42:27.001
Isn't that interesting?
00:42:27.001 --> 00:42:28.068
The only place hanukkah is mentioned in the bible,
00:42:28.068 --> 00:42:30.337
As you know, erick is in the new testament.
00:42:30.337 --> 00:42:32.606
Most christians think, oh, hanukkah is a jewish holiday,
00:42:32.606 --> 00:42:35.809
But hanukkah is not mentioned in the hebrew bible, the tanakh
00:42:35.809 --> 00:42:39.046
Or the old testament.
00:42:39.046 --> 00:42:40.314
Hanukkah is only mentioned in john chapter ten, when you're
00:42:40.314 --> 00:42:43.817
Sure is in the temple ministering on hanukkah
00:42:43.817 --> 00:42:47.888
And revealed himself to be the messiah during hanukkah
00:42:47.888 --> 00:42:51.625
And the way to eternal life.
00:42:51.625 --> 00:42:52.926
So hanukkah is profound.
00:42:52.926 --> 00:42:54.762
It's one of my personal favorite
00:42:54.762 --> 00:42:56.530
Holidays, thinking back in my days
00:42:56.530 --> 00:42:58.766
Growing up and feeling in my home
00:42:58.766 --> 00:43:00.934
As we lit the candles and and got the presents for eight days
00:43:00.934 --> 00:43:04.738
And so it's a very, very special time.
00:43:04.738 --> 00:43:07.641
It's a time of miracles.
00:43:07.641 --> 00:43:09.343
And, you know, the founder of israel
00:43:09.343 --> 00:43:14.148
Said any jew that doesn't believe in miracles isn't a jew,
00:43:14.148 --> 00:43:18.519
Because most of our viewers know the story that when the
00:43:18.519 --> 00:43:21.522
The maccabees, the the the army that recaptured the temple,
00:43:21.522 --> 00:43:25.392
The jewish ragtag army referred to as the maccabees
00:43:25.392 --> 00:43:28.862
When they recaptured the temple and dedicated it back to god,
00:43:28.862 --> 00:43:33.600
Which, by the way, that's what hanukkah means dedication.
00:43:33.600 --> 00:43:36.970
There was only, according to our tradition,
00:43:36.970 --> 00:43:38.672
Enough oil in the temple to burn for one day.
00:43:38.672 --> 00:43:42.242
But our tradition tells us that supernaturally
00:43:42.242 --> 00:43:45.079
The oil burned for eight days.
00:43:45.079 --> 00:43:47.081
And so that's an encouragement for us to believe in miracles.
00:43:47.081 --> 00:43:51.085
And god is a god of miracles.
00:43:51.085 --> 00:43:52.553
If we don't believe in miracles,
00:43:52.553 --> 00:43:54.321
We're not in communion with the real god,
00:43:54.321 --> 00:43:56.023
Because by nature, god is a miracle worker.
00:43:56.023 --> 00:43:59.193
Yes, rabbi, i'm just soaking it all up from you.
00:43:59.193 --> 00:44:01.662
I wanted to ask you.
00:44:01.662 --> 00:44:02.463
Look, you just mentioned yeshua.
00:44:02.463 --> 00:44:04.698
Jesus observed hanukkah as laid out in the gospels for you.
00:44:04.698 --> 00:44:08.435
I know you had a great time celebrating hanukkah
00:44:08.435 --> 00:44:10.304
As a young man, but when you came to the lord,
00:44:10.304 --> 00:44:13.240
When you embraced yeshua as your savior,
00:44:13.240 --> 00:44:16.143
How did hanukkah, if at all, changed for you
00:44:16.143 --> 00:44:18.812
To take on a deeper meaning once you became
00:44:18.812 --> 00:44:21.849
A follower of jesus? yeshua
00:44:21.849 --> 00:44:24.852
The entire hebrew bible?
00:44:24.852 --> 00:44:26.320
Erick, the entire torah, all the prophetic writings,
00:44:26.320 --> 00:44:30.057
They all took on a deeper meaning for me
00:44:30.057 --> 00:44:32.292
When i came to faith in jesus, yeshua.
00:44:32.292 --> 00:44:34.628
I mean, suddenly the word of god was opened up to me.
00:44:34.628 --> 00:44:37.731
When i was growing up, i was bar mitzvahed
00:44:37.731 --> 00:44:39.466
In a conservative synagogue
00:44:39.466 --> 00:44:40.934
And frankly,
00:44:40.934 --> 00:44:42.136
My experience growing up in the synagogue was very dry.
00:44:42.136 --> 00:44:45.139
I mean, i memorized how to read and write, etc.,
00:44:45.139 --> 00:44:49.109
But it was very dry. there was nothing personal.
00:44:49.109 --> 00:44:51.278
There was no life to it.
00:44:51.278 --> 00:44:52.880
But when i came to faith in yeshua, it's like suddenly
00:44:52.880 --> 00:44:56.650
There was color in my face
00:44:56.650 --> 00:44:58.352
And everything began to be filled up with meaning.
00:44:58.352 --> 00:45:02.256
So hanukkah
00:45:02.256 --> 00:45:03.457
You studied deep into hanukkah
00:45:03.457 --> 00:45:05.425
And there are so many great things about hanukkah.
00:45:05.425 --> 00:45:07.661
One of the great themes of hanukkah is that one
00:45:07.661 --> 00:45:10.831
Person can massively change things.
00:45:10.831 --> 00:45:15.068
So you have you have you have, for example, must
00:45:15.068 --> 00:45:17.971
Most of our viewers know something about hanukkah,
00:45:17.971 --> 00:45:20.073
How it all began when the greco assyrian soldiers marched
00:45:20.073 --> 00:45:24.611
Into a jewish occupied city called modine and the greco.
00:45:24.611 --> 00:45:28.549
Assyrian soldiers tried to force the jewish residents
00:45:28.549 --> 00:45:31.718
In that city to sacrifice
00:45:31.718 --> 00:45:34.988
To a pagan deity. and
00:45:34.988 --> 00:45:38.559
There was a bystander there that was afraid that if he
00:45:38.559 --> 00:45:41.094
Didn't do it, that they were going to kill them all.
00:45:41.094 --> 00:45:43.030
So he offered to do it.
00:45:43.030 --> 00:45:44.498
But the jewish priest metal
00:45:44.498 --> 00:45:46.233
Theseus killed that jewish compromiser and matthias.
00:45:46.233 --> 00:45:50.404
His courage and passion for the lord ignited
00:45:50.404 --> 00:45:54.174
The rest of the town.
00:45:54.174 --> 00:45:55.609
And that began the maccabean revolt,
00:45:55.609 --> 00:45:58.245
Which led to the recapture of the temple and jerusalem.
00:45:58.245 --> 00:46:02.149
And so the point here's one man's life
00:46:02.149 --> 00:46:04.551
This priest matter science and his passion, his zeal,
00:46:04.551 --> 00:46:08.322
His devotion changed the entire culture around him
00:46:08.322 --> 00:46:11.859
And everybody that's listening right now,
00:46:11.859 --> 00:46:13.694
We need to know we have the power
00:46:13.694 --> 00:46:15.896
To shift the atmosphere wherever we go,
00:46:15.896 --> 00:46:18.899
By the presence of the lord.
00:46:18.899 --> 00:46:20.300
And we should take a hold of the power that we have
00:46:20.300 --> 00:46:22.903
And not be silent, but use the witness we have
00:46:22.903 --> 00:46:26.206
And the power of the spirit that has been given to us
00:46:26.206 --> 00:46:29.176
To shift the culture
00:46:29.176 --> 00:46:30.310
And to not be afraid to praise the lord
00:46:30.310 --> 00:46:32.179
Wherever we go and give him glory.
00:46:32.179 --> 00:46:34.214
Yeah. matter tires.
00:46:34.214 --> 00:46:35.449
Father of judah the hammer, one of the maccabee brothers.
00:46:35.449 --> 00:46:38.919
We talk about hanukkah being the feast
00:46:38.919 --> 00:46:40.988
Of dedication, rabbi, but also the festival of lights.
00:46:40.988 --> 00:46:44.191
And we're in a dark time right now in the world,
00:46:44.191 --> 00:46:47.527
Especially with the surge in anti-semitism.
00:46:47.527 --> 00:46:50.097
How can jews and gentiles come together and shine
00:46:50.097 --> 00:46:54.935
Light in this darkness, especially during hanukkah?
00:46:54.935 --> 00:46:57.938
How can we tangibly how can i, as a gentile follower of,
00:46:57.938 --> 00:47:01.108
Jesus, tangibly bless the jewish people during this
00:47:01.108 --> 00:47:04.144
Time in particular?
00:47:04.144 --> 00:47:06.713
I think it's first of all, it's a hard issue, right?
00:47:06.713 --> 00:47:08.548
I mean, it's a hard issue on both sides.
00:47:08.548 --> 00:47:10.517
It's it begins really
00:47:10.517 --> 00:47:11.685
With a heart of appreciation for each other christians,
00:47:11.685 --> 00:47:15.322
A heart of appreciation for the jewish people,
00:47:15.322 --> 00:47:17.624
But we have to understand israel holds
00:47:17.624 --> 00:47:20.827
A special place in the heart of the lord.
00:47:20.827 --> 00:47:24.264
Paul asked the question
00:47:24.264 --> 00:47:25.699
During his lifetime when he saw so many jews
00:47:25.699 --> 00:47:27.935
That were rejecting jesus.
00:47:27.935 --> 00:47:29.703
Paul asked the question,
00:47:29.703 --> 00:47:31.405
Are therefore they no longer in covenant relationship with god?
00:47:31.405 --> 00:47:34.741
Has god forsaken them?
00:47:34.741 --> 00:47:36.143
And paul answered with the famous words
00:47:36.143 --> 00:47:38.578
May it never be the gift
00:47:38.578 --> 00:47:42.249
And calling of god on israel is irrevocable.
00:47:42.249 --> 00:47:44.484
So when we choose to love israel
00:47:44.484 --> 00:47:46.620
As christians, we're not loving israel
00:47:46.620 --> 00:47:48.588
Because there are perfect people.
00:47:48.588 --> 00:47:50.123
We're simply loving them
00:47:50.123 --> 00:47:51.525
Out of our love for the lord, because god is devoted to them.
00:47:51.525 --> 00:47:55.696
Then on the on the jewish side, they've seen since october 7th
00:47:55.696 --> 00:48:01.435
The laws that's been shown them, true believers
00:48:01.435 --> 00:48:05.138
Across the world.
00:48:05.138 --> 00:48:06.707
And i think that is bringing us together as a people.
00:48:06.707 --> 00:48:09.776
So we i think i think it's beginning to happen.
00:48:09.776 --> 00:48:12.446
Obviously, this is this is a journey
00:48:12.446 --> 00:48:14.281
That the lord is going to have to bring us down further.
00:48:14.281 --> 00:48:16.616
But but i believe it's happening and we're going forward
00:48:16.616 --> 00:48:18.819
In this reconciliation
00:48:18.819 --> 00:48:20.887
That is going to culminate at the end of the age
00:48:20.887 --> 00:48:22.622
When jew and gentile are truly one and macisaac and messiah.
00:48:22.622 --> 00:48:26.059
Yeah.
00:48:26.059 --> 00:48:27.160
Rabbi, you said that hanukkah is a time of miracles.
00:48:27.160 --> 00:48:28.929
It's a time where god moves and you have witnesses firsthand.
00:48:28.929 --> 00:48:32.366
Tell us about celebrating hanukkah, nigeria
00:48:32.366 --> 00:48:36.203
And some of the amazing things that happened there.
00:48:36.203 --> 00:48:39.406
That was wild, erick.
00:48:39.406 --> 00:48:41.108
You know,
00:48:41.108 --> 00:48:42.275
Our audience needs to know that people that love truth
00:48:42.275 --> 00:48:45.345
All over the world,
00:48:45.345 --> 00:48:46.246
They're hungry to discover the jewish
00:48:46.246 --> 00:48:48.181
Jesus because truth is truth.
00:48:48.181 --> 00:48:50.017
And when they see in the scriptures
00:48:50.017 --> 00:48:51.251
The jewish roots of their faith,
00:48:51.251 --> 00:48:52.719
How can they not be hungry for.
00:48:52.719 --> 00:48:54.287
So here i was in nigeria a few years ago,
00:48:54.287 --> 00:48:56.723
And it was during hanukkah, and i lit the hanukkah
00:48:56.723 --> 00:48:59.626
Candles in nigeria.
00:48:59.626 --> 00:49:01.395
I mean, there was anywhere
00:49:01.395 --> 00:49:02.863
From 30,000 to probably 50 to 70000 people there.
00:49:02.863 --> 00:49:06.867
Delighted, erick to be celebrating hanukkah with me.
00:49:06.867 --> 00:49:10.504
I mean, they probably didn't know
00:49:10.504 --> 00:49:11.805
Hanukkah from a hole in their head before. i came.
00:49:11.805 --> 00:49:14.307
But here i was simply teaching basic truth and jewish roots.
00:49:14.307 --> 00:49:18.311
They embraced it.
00:49:18.311 --> 00:49:20.047
Erick they discovered the jewish jesus.
00:49:20.047 --> 00:49:22.649
30,000.
00:49:22.649 --> 00:49:23.717
I'm going to go with the minimum number of students
00:49:23.717 --> 00:49:25.218
Celebrating hanukkah with me there in nigeria.
00:49:25.218 --> 00:49:27.421
And we just actually got back from nigeria again.
00:49:27.421 --> 00:49:29.656
And erick, the glory that came the
00:49:29.656 --> 00:49:33.060
The size of of the people that came to hear me
00:49:33.060 --> 00:49:36.863
Proclaim joshua was just it was just blew it.
00:49:36.863 --> 00:49:40.801
It was mind boggling.
00:49:40.801 --> 00:49:42.569
Yeah.
00:49:42.569 --> 00:49:43.403
Something special is happening, rabbi.
00:49:43.403 --> 00:49:45.238
God is moving and you are at the forefront of it, my friend.
00:49:45.238 --> 00:49:48.642
Happy hanukkah.
00:49:48.642 --> 00:49:49.543
Consummate rabbi kurt schneider.
00:49:49.543 --> 00:49:51.678
Remember, you can watch him
00:49:51.678 --> 00:49:52.813
Hosting, discovering the jewish jesus right here on tbn.
00:49:52.813 --> 00:49:56.249
Thanks again, rabbi. god bless.
00:49:56.249 --> 00:49:58.351
I love you, my friend.
00:49:58.351 --> 00:49:59.319
Thank you so much for having me back. erick,
00:49:59.319 --> 00:50:04.591
On the first night of hanukkah, jewish believers
00:50:05.559 --> 00:50:08.495
Pray praised are you are god ruler of the universe
00:50:08.495 --> 00:50:12.499
Who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors
00:50:12.499 --> 00:50:15.602
In those ancient days, who has given us life
00:50:15.602 --> 00:50:19.106
And sustained us and enabled us to reach this season?
00:50:19.106 --> 00:50:23.176
As christians, we claim jesus as the messiah,
00:50:23.176 --> 00:50:26.346
But god, our father is the god of the new testament.
00:50:26.346 --> 00:50:30.283
In the old within the chapters of both hebrew
00:50:30.283 --> 00:50:33.086
And christian scriptures, we read of his marvels.
00:50:33.086 --> 00:50:36.056
We see him rescuing,
00:50:36.056 --> 00:50:37.591
Sustaining and resurrecting jews and gentiles alike.
00:50:37.591 --> 00:50:41.995
We share the same author.
00:50:41.995 --> 00:50:43.497
Our histories are interwoven, eternally stitched to the great
00:50:43.497 --> 00:50:48.201
I am. why does hanukkah matter?
00:50:48.201 --> 00:50:50.837
It's a biblical holiday and opportunity to understand
00:50:50.837 --> 00:50:54.941
And appreciate the historic divine intervention of god
00:50:54.941 --> 00:50:59.112
And a timeless, universal reminder of the human
00:50:59.112 --> 00:51:02.649
Longing for freedom, which is a gift from god above.
00:51:02.649 --> 00:51:07.120
So happy hanukkah to one and all.
00:51:07.120 --> 00:51:08.955
And we'll leave you now with award winning messianic
00:51:08.955 --> 00:51:12.092
Recording artist joshua aaron performing his powerful song
00:51:12.092 --> 00:51:16.563
Give thanks at the tower of david in jerusalem.
00:51:16.563 --> 00:51:37.617
He is alive.
00:51:37.951 --> 00:51:40.320
Unto the nations.
00:51:40.320 --> 00:51:42.722
He is our shooting star.
00:51:42.722 --> 00:51:47.394
He is our peace in tribulation.
00:51:47.394 --> 00:51:51.932
He is our
00:51:51.932 --> 00:51:54.334
Holy 102
00:51:54.334 --> 00:52:01.708
Lotto like kato
00:52:01.708 --> 00:52:06.479
Key level of a custodial
00:52:06.479 --> 00:52:11.184
Idol like he told
00:52:11.184 --> 00:52:20.360
You without an adoration,
00:52:20.360 --> 00:52:25.065
Giving thanks for all he's done
00:52:25.065 --> 00:52:29.402
You we stand in revelation.
00:52:29.402 --> 00:52:33.974
We are already at the table.
00:52:33.974 --> 00:52:37.244
The song will do hold
00:52:37.244 --> 00:52:41.381
Now like we told
00:52:41.381 --> 00:52:47.454
All pastor wanted
00:52:47.454 --> 00:52:50.690
Block on
00:52:50.690 --> 00:52:52.792
Kato road
00:52:52.792 --> 00:52:58.131
Holding
00:52:58.131 --> 00:53:00.100
Yard on way key to
00:53:00.100 --> 00:53:05.405
Clear
00:53:05.405 --> 00:53:07.040
Store to lock on
00:53:07.040 --> 00:53:11.478
Key to walk home
00:53:11.478 --> 00:53:19.653
Oh first he go from the east
00:53:19.653 --> 00:53:23.623
And the west
00:53:23.623 --> 00:53:27.661
Road all the sea trees
00:53:27.661 --> 00:53:31.765
From the fountain
00:53:31.765 --> 00:53:35.935
Oh rain
00:53:35.935 --> 00:53:39.205
First jump from afghanistan.
00:53:39.205 --> 00:53:42.676
The whales
00:53:42.676 --> 00:53:47.247
All will be the tree
00:53:47.247 --> 00:53:50.350
From the fountain.
00:53:50.350 --> 00:53:57.123
Oh, he is good.
00:53:57.123 --> 00:54:01.795
Oh, his love
00:54:01.795 --> 00:54:04.664
Him goes oh, he is good
00:54:04.664 --> 00:54:10.637
For real.
00:54:10.637 --> 00:54:11.805
See it together with me.
00:54:11.805 --> 00:54:12.706
Oh, he. is good
00:54:12.706 --> 00:54:15.809
Oh, he is good.
00:54:15.809 --> 00:54:22.082
He is in
00:54:22.082 --> 00:54:25.785
Oh he is good
00:54:25.785 --> 00:54:29.322
For him
00:54:29.322 --> 00:54:35.295
He is good.
00:54:35.295 --> 00:54:52.245
We give thanks to the lord
00:54:52.245 --> 00:54:55.148
For his skill
00:54:55.148 --> 00:54:59.652
And. this loving lord.
00:54:59.652 --> 00:55:01.755
Skillset to the lord
00:55:01.755 --> 00:55:04.858
He is good
00:55:04.858 --> 00:55:04.858

Hanukkah: Festival of Lights with Erick Stakelbeck

December 15, 2025 | 57:5

Closed captions

Share