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Post by mystic on Dec 2, 2018 5:51:55 GMT -8
Hey guys, I did the research on Hanukkah but how should I celebrate the next eight days please? Simply light a candle at night for the next eight days?
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Post by alon on Dec 2, 2018 9:17:42 GMT -8
Hey guys, I did the research on Hanukkah but how should I celebrate the next eight days please? Simply light a candle at night for the next eight days? Good question. Since Chanukkah is originally a delayed Sukkot, and since Sukkot is the one of the feasts that everyone, including Gentiles is invited to celebrate, it then follows that Christians should be invited to celebrate Chanukkah as well. However without the guidance of a Messianic believer much of the symbolism and meaning will be lost to them. For those of us new to Messianic Judaism but not having such guidance, the problem is of a different nature. It is difficult to get into the spirit of a feast for which we have no memories, no reference. Simply lighting candles and maybe even saying the proper prayers is just going through the motions. My suggestion is if you are doing this for the first time, or if you've ever only went through the motions before, is go to the archives here and each day after you light the candles read some of what is said here. You may also look at some Jewish sources on the internet. They've been doing this a while, and so may have some insights. Just remember they are of a different faith, and so may express doctrines and practices which we as Meshiachim do not adhere to. Some may be contrary to or lacking in the things we hold as true. I doubt, for example, you will find many Jews who are in agreement that we celebrate the conception of Yeshua in this holiday. My point is try to go deeper than just a rote observance of lighting candles. Make your own memories. Each year I use different candles and make my own Canukkiah out of scrap lumber. My wife doesn't like it- every year she accuses me of trying to burn the house down! But if the grandkids are visiting they always want to be a part of the candle lighting. I let them light the candles and read the prayers in English. So you never know what kind of special thing might happen. Just be open to it- don't get so hung up in the routine you miss the opportunity to share, because that is what Chanukkah is really all about; sharing the Light of the World with the world! Dan C moderator note: this thread has been moved to the proper sub-forum; from Hebraic Roots of Christianity to Moedim/Chanukkah. Dan |
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Post by Elizabeth on Dec 2, 2018 15:52:26 GMT -8
Hebrew4Christians has a helpful guide and a list of blessings that I'm going to use. Throughout the week, I'll read the stories and some further explanations and teachings with my kids. I do change the blessing that says G-d commanded us to light the candles to G-d commanded us to be a light to the world because He didn't command us to light these candles. I've seen that blessing in Messisnic guides. Yeshua observed it and it's in New Testament so I'm confident we should observe it, but it's not commanded by G-d the way other feasts are so im uncomfortable with saying He did.
I hope you are all really blessed and have a meaningful experience. I have the Chanukah menorah this year and it was really humbling to light the candles. It's hard to try to be in the right heart when the rest of the house isn't interested, so I felt fake beyond the issue of not being Jewish and all that goes with not knowing what you're doing. It ended up good though. G-d just blessed me. As there was yelling over homework in the background, and me trying to do something holy in the corner of a room by myself feeling anything but holy, I just ended up really sincere because the circumstances resonated with the truth that I'm completely dependent on Yeshua for any little glimmer of something holy in my life.
Anyway, please light the candles and get the Chanukah menorah believers because it brings Yeshua into a Jewish celebration where He belongs, and we who don't know what we're doing or can't adequately do it also have a valid level of worship to offer in our own type of gratitude, humility and dependence.
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Post by mystic on Dec 3, 2018 4:29:29 GMT -8
Thanks guys but I don't have a Menorah, should I get one or light just any candle I have here? Also can you give me a direct link to the exact forum/thread I should be reading after lighting the candle and is there any specific time of the day I should light a candle please?
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Post by Elizabeth on Dec 3, 2018 7:14:18 GMT -8
Thanks guys but I don't have a Menorah, should I get one or light just any candle I have here? Also can you give me a direct link to the exact forum/thread I should be reading after lighting the candle and is there any specific time of the day I should light a candle please? Alon gave you good advice, I just lit candles last year but glad I have one for this year so that's my thinking. Somehow it matters and makes a difference, but that's me personally so that's why I said that. I probably shouldn't pressure people. I don't know how to post threads directly on here, but you can get candle lighting times for your area with a quick Google search of "candle lighting times". |
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Post by mystic on Dec 3, 2018 10:15:04 GMT -8
Ok. I sometimes have Orthodox Jews coming here as computer customers. I am thinking it will offend them if they see a Menorah here.
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Post by alon on Dec 3, 2018 12:25:21 GMT -8
Ok. I sometimes have Orthodox Jews coming here as computer customers. I am thinking it will offend them if they see a Menorah here. Getting it "right" is not as important as just trying. Light as many candles as you have holders for. Another way to make your own simple Chanukkiah is to roll out some aluminum foil, then roll the edges up just a little bit so wax won't run out onto the tale. Then using either the Shamash or just a throw away candle, light it and drip just a few drops of wax, then place your candles on the drops and hold a few seconds until the wax sets back up. Do this for as many candles as you are lighting that day. And voila! You have your Chanukkiah. Having a Menorah would be offensive, as it is an item that is kadosh, set apart for Temple service. What you want is a Chanukkiah, which should not offend anyone. A Menorah has six branches plus the Shamash, and a Chanukkiah has eight branches plus the Shamash. A menorah also has a basic design to which it must conform. A Canukkiah, while it may resemble a Menorah, can be almost any design. The simple foil Chanukkiah I just described to you is a good example. I usually make mine from wood each year, though I am thinking about just buying one. Are these Orthodox Jews coming to your house, or an office/shop? Since the Chanukkiah is typically lit at dusk, it would probably be in your home. If it offends them, just put it away until time to use it. Dan C |
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Post by mystic on Dec 4, 2018 4:50:12 GMT -8
Ok then, so if it won't offend anyone then I can simply buy the 8 branch version and yes I can simply put it away whenever any Jewish person should be coming here to my Home Office. [thanks!]
This is a big forum Dan, can you link me to the exact forum/thread where I will find the prayers for this please?
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Post by alon on Dec 4, 2018 5:48:02 GMT -8
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Post by Elizabeth on Dec 4, 2018 6:19:50 GMT -8
Ok then, so if it won't offend anyone then I can simply buy the 8 branch version and yes I can simply put it away whenever any Jewish person should be coming here to my Home Office. [thanks!] This is a big forum Dan, can you link me to the exact forum/thread where I will find the prayers for this please? I just want to clarify its 9 branches; one for a candle each day of Chanukah and one for the candle you use to light them. |
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Post by mystic on Dec 5, 2018 5:09:43 GMT -8
ok, got it, thanks!
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