Spanky's Place

25 Kislev - 2 Tevet

(sundown on Dec. 15th through sundown on December 23rd)

Chanukkah means "dedication," and it commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by foreign forces. The "Festival of Lights" refers to the miracle that occurred during the rededication of the Temple. When the Jewish people sought to rekindle the menorah in the Temple sanctuary, they found only enough purified oil to last one day, yet miraculously, the small portion of oil burned for eight days - the length of time required to purify new oil.

The most important message of Chanukkah may be found in the name of the holiday itself: Dedication.

Dedicate yourself, through faith and action, to follow God's commandments. Dedicate yourself to the pursuit of holiness. Dedicate youself to God.

All who seek him will find him.