Free E-Book! Jewish Awareness Ministries offers you the opportunity to access a free e-book, ONE GOD OR THREE? …Exploring the Tri-Unity of God in the Old Testament, by Rev. Stan Rosenthal. If you are Jewish, this book will clear up many misconceptions you might have about not only what Christians believe, but what the Jewish Bible teaches about the person of God. If you are a Christian, this book will help you understand and appreciate the tri-unity of God which is a doctrine taught not only in the New Testament but also in the Old Testament.
The glow of the light from the Temple Menorah, piercing through the windows of the Temple, illuminated the court-yard of the Temple area. The crowds mingling in the courtyard this winter day were reminded by the menorah light of the ever present reality of the God of Israel. The light was a physical brilliance that all could see, but, perhaps more importantly, a reminder of the spiritual truth that God is present.
Tensions were high in Jerusalem and the surrounding environs. The Seleucid Empire was now controlled by Antiochus Epiphanies and he was intent on bringing Jerusalem and Israel, as well as its Jewish citizens, into Greek culture and its world.
Many of the Jewish citizens of Israel had already capitulated to the Hellenization process. They enjoyed the "enlightened" Greek ways and the abandonment of the restrictive practices of Judaism. Others, the religiously committed, were aghast at what was taking place in their Holy City of Jerusalem.
Suddenly, Antiochus' soldiers, upon his orders, entered the Temple. The light of the Menorah was extinguished, a pig was offered on the holy altar to the Greek god Zeus. Pandemonium resulted. People scattered everywhere. This act of defiance against, ultimately, the God of Israel was swift, profound, and challenging. Worship the Greek gods, or perish!
CHANUKKAH - pronounce "CHAN-u-kah" with the Hebrew guttural "ch" and the long "u". This word is also spelled HANUKKAH and approximately 13 other ways, with one or two "n's" and "k's" and with either the "ch" or "h" at the beginning of the word.
CHANUKKAH - Hebrew for "DEDICATION."
Hanukkah is one of Judaism's most joyous holidays. It commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C. Four year earlier Antiochus Epiphanes, the Hellenized ruler of Syria, had entered Jerusalem, destroying a large part of the city and slaughtering men, women, and children. He entered the Temple, carried away all the furniture, vessels, and sacred treasures, and crowned his desecration by offering a pig on the holy altar to the Greek god Zeus. He cooked a pig in the Temple and poured its broth on the holy scrolls and on the altar. Antiochus also sternly forbade Jewish people everywhere to observe Judaism.
JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
The next tour to Israel is planned for March 23, 2009 for 12 days. We will be staying in 5 star hotels; breakfast and dinner included; everything included except lunch and personal items. Contact Jewish Awareness Ministries for a brochure to be sent to you.
After more than 200 rockets were launched against its territory in recent days, Israel did what any democratic state would do to protect its citizens: it fired back. Carefully selecting targets in the Gaza Strip in order to reduce civilian casualties, the Jewish state continued its attacks yesterday for a third straight day against its tormentor and sworn enemy, Hamas, the terrorist organization responsible for the rocket assault, while massing tanks and calling up reserves for an expected ground attack.