Community on Columbia

Torah Reading: Leviticus 27:1-34 – Vows and Consecrated things

Psalm 89:39-53
Haftarah: Judges 11:30-40
2 Kings 12:5-13, 17

Notes on Leviticus 27:1-34

Notes on Psalm 89:39-53

Notes on Judges 11:30-40 & 2 Kings 12:5-13, 17 (4-12, 16)

Torah reading: Leviticus 26:14–46 – Curses for Disobedience

Psalm 89:20-38

Haftarah: Isaiah 1:19-20, 24-28, 31 + 2:1, 5 (a repeat from previous week)

Notes on Leviticus 26:14-46

Notes for Psalm 89:20-38

The eight-day feast of Hanukkah, a festival of lights, occurs in the darkest time of year. It commemorates the rededication of the Temple in 165 B.C. after it was cleansed by Judas Maccabeus when the Jews prevailed against the Seleucid Greeks of Syria.

When the special oil for the Temple lampstand could not be obtained in time, Judas Maccabeus took a step of faith (and a risk) by lighting the lamp with only one day’s supply of oil. It burned miraculously for eight days until the extra oil arrived.

Many scholars place the time of Mary’s annunciation and the conception of Christ (rather than his birth) at this time of year, and the festival contains numerous types and foreshadowings of Christ’s coming.

Read our Notes on Hanukkah here