One is historical and one is legendary . The historic meaning is that Chanukah was a Feast of Tabernacles ( Sukkot ) celebrated late because they could not celebrate earlier .
From this passage , Yeshua is seen in having responded to questions in Solomon ’ s portico , the later place of meeting for the early believers , after Pentecost ( Shavuot ) and the outpouring of the Spirit . Yeshua is challenged , “ If you are the Messiah , tell us plainly .” Yeshua appeals to His works and states that if they were His sheep they would believe , know , and follow Him . He gives them eternal life . His claim at the end of this section , that He and the Father are ( echad ) One , prompts His hearers to pick up stones and seek to stone him , yet Yeshua escaped their grasp . In reading this passage , I wonder if there are hints in the context of Chanukah that others would follow false Messiah ’ s in the future rebellion .
Sukkot was celebrated for seven days but then an eighth day assembly , Shmini Atzeret ( or , the Eighth Day of the Solemn Assembly ), was commanded to immediately follow . Chanukah was a great celebration of victory . The idea of a Sukkot as a Festival of Light was thus applied to the Jewish holiday of Chanukah . From this we find from John 8:12 that Yeshua is the light of the World as corresponding with both for Sukkot and Chanukah in stating , “ Yeshua spoke to them again , saying , ‘ I am the light of the world . The one who follows Me will no longer walk in darkness but will have the light of life .” ( TLV )
From this , the legend is that there was only sufficient oil to rekindle the forever burning menorah ( Ner Tamid ) in the Temple for a day . It would take time to produce new oil for a sufficient amount . Yet , despite the limit of suitable oil ( in that there was only one days ’ worth ) it nevertheless lasted eight days . This is the reason why candles are lit every night for eight days .
There are two reasons given for the eight-day celebration of the Feast of Chanukah .
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