Every momentous event in the history of G-d’s redemption is and will be marked by a Feast Day (moed). The initial celebration of The Festival of Lights (Hanukkah) occurred when the lights of the Menorah in the Temple stayed lit for eight days even though there was not enough of the natural oil to keep them burning. The supernatural oil that kept them burning was the Holy Spirit of G-d. This event was pointing to a crucial step in the redemption of mankind that would take place on the same day, the 25th of Kislev, the day that Miriam (Mary) was approached by the angel Gabriel to announce that she was chosen to be the one to carry the Seed of G-d (Genesis 3:15) and give birth to the Messiah.

Hanukkah is a celebration of courage, dedication to G-d and the supernatural acts of the Holy Spirit. In the events leading to the first celebration, the Maccabees were led by the zeal of G-d to take back the Temple from enemy invaders. Although they were few in number and strength, G-d filled them with a supernatural courage to overcome a powerful army. This led to the cleansing of the Temple on the 25th of Kislev, its rededication to G-d, and the 'miracle of the oil' mentioned above.

This year, Hanukkah begins on the evening of the 2nd of December, which is the 25th day of the ninth month in the year 5779 of the Hebrew calendar.  This is the night during which our Savior was conceived, the night that the "Seed of Light", Yeshua, was placed in Miriam's womb by the Holy Spirit of G-d. The placement of this Seed was the foundation of the L-rd's earthly Temple, Yeshua, that would grow in Mary's womb and be manifested as the Light of the World.

Then He (Yeshua) said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.” (Luke 22:34)

In the above scripture, Yeshua might have just been giving Peter information as to when his denial would take place, but it is more likely that there is a deeper message attached to Peter’s denial. The Hebrew sages say that each scripture has different levels of understanding from the obvious to the mystical that can be uncovered only through consistent Bible study and prayer.

In the same way that the rabbis apply various interpretations to words to tell stories and the teachings of the Bible, artists often create images to express their ideas, some of which are obvious and others that are hidden in their paintings. Twentieth century artist, Marc Chagall (a Russian Jew), utilized images in his paintings to make a ‘comment on life’ as a storyteller of that era. Some of the ‘stories’ he labored to paint were plain to see and others were often mystical, but always telling ‘a story’. Chagall, who was not a believer in Yeshua (at least not openly), painted quite a number of canvases depicting the ‘story’ of the crucifixion and other biblical themes wherein the crucified Yeshua appeared. Chagall never sought to ‘explain’ his paintings, but said:

“For me, Christ has always symbolized the true type of the Jewish martyr. That is how I understood him in 1908 when I used this figure for the first time…It was under the influence of the pogroms. Then I painted and drew him in pictures about ghettos, surrounded by Jewish troubles, by Jewish mothers, running terrified with little children in their arms.” “My Christ, as I depict him, is always the type of the Jewish martyr, in pogroms and in our other troubles, and not otherwise.”

The various images he used stemmed from his Jewish upbringing, which images were understood not only in Chagall’s day, but in Yeshua’s day as well. The rooster is one such example. A rabbi explains the Hebraic perception of this figure, which is symbolic of an attitude filled with optimism, hope and belief.

FROM OUR CHRISTIAN BROTHER IN AUSTRALIA

Brother Leo lives in a beachfront community in Australia where they have a 'floating' population so that his witnessing tracts are always 'fresh'. He has numerous opportunities to speak to the many young backpackers from around the world as they wait for their next coaches to take them along their way. Brother Leo reflects on the fact that attitudes are changing among those he encounters. While some are still receptive to the Light of G-d's Word many are no longer interested and turn down the tracts offered them. He witnesses locally every morning to those to whom the L-rd guides him and the then brings them before the L-rd afterwards in prayer. 

As a result of his regular, determined witness, the L-rd has opened many doors to Brother Leo. His ministry always bears fruit in the hearts of those that receive him. He says his greatest joy is that he will be able to see all those to whom he has witnessed rejoicing in the L-rd forever and ever [in Eternity].