Why Hanukkah is Not a Biblical Holiday

"But isn't Hanukkah in the Bible?"

"Hanukkah is in the Bible so it's a Biblical holiday."

"Jesus celebrated Hanukkah!"

"The book of Maccabees was in the Bible Jesus read so Hanukkah is a Bible holiday."

I've heard statements like this so many times recently that I want to shed some light on the fact that Hanukkah is not a Biblical holiday, and explain what that means for believers in Messiah. It's crazy how defensive and even vicious people can get about this topic! This post is to help us come to understand truths around this holiday - whether or not we choose to celebrate it. 

Why isn't Hanukkah a Biblical holiday?

The Biblical holidays are set apart times that YHWH himself created and told us to celebrate. Please read that again. The Bible holidays of Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Shavuot, Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and the Feast of Tabernacles were created and ordained by the Living God. Scripture tells us to celebrate them in Leviticus 23, and Deuteronomy 16. They come up in many places throughout the Bible. Significantly the Messiah was killed on Passover, less significantly Paul mentions that sailing was dangerous because it was after Yom Kippur (Acts 27:9). We are told to keep these holidays forever.

Why isn't Hanukkah included in the list of Biblical holidays? Because YHWH didn't tell us to celebrate it. It's not found in the Leviticus 23 list or anywhere else in Scripture.

"But Hanukkah is in the Bible!"

There is a mention of the Messiah being at the Temple during the "Feast of Dedication" in John 10:22 (most translations just say during winter). Many people in the Messianic movement have taken this as a directive to celebrate Hanukkah, but it's a pretty big jump to conclude that anything the Bible mentions is automatically ordained. Most of us recognize that just because Acts 19:28 says, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians," that's not a Biblical truth or directive for what we should say! And the Messiah being somewhere does not automatically legitimize something, or require our celebration. He spent time with sinners - that does not mean he approved of their actions! We know he attended weddings, but no one is having a holiday every year to remember the wedding where he turned water into wine.

We should also note that if you read John 10, the first thing the Messiah says is that the people there didn't believe his words. Nothing in the passage would give you the idea that he's lighting up a nine-branch hanukkiah or in agreement with everything happening there. The Bible frequently talks about Jewish customs that were manmade, and a significant portion of the Messiah's words are of him speaking against these manmade traditions. It would be surprising if he suddenly had no qualms with something religious leaders had made up. He certainly would not have put any manmade holiday on the same level as the set apart ones created by his Father.

"But the books of Maccabees were in the Bible Jesus read!"

Something that many people overlook about the book of Maccabees is that nowhere in it does YHWH say that people should celebrate Hanukkah. Even if Maccabees were or should be included in the Biblical canon, they contain no directive to create a holiday based on the events recorded. The books also contain nothing about the supposed miracle of one day's worth of oil lasting for eight days, which is what the manmade hanukkiah light is based on. 

Many believers in Messiah that celebrate Hanukkah are quick to rebuke others for celebrating Christmas...even though both holidays are "Bible based." 

I'm sick of people verbally abusing Christians who celebrate Christmas, saying that they are pagan because Christmas isn't a holiday found in the Bible, then turning around and taking part in another holiday that is also not found in Scripture. This double-standard is unfair, and a poor testimony of the work of the Messiah in our lives, and shows a lack of understanding of the word.

"But I want to celebrate the amazing story of the Maccabees!"

That's your choice, but be aware you are doing that because that's what you want to do - not because YHWH commanded it. I agree that the Maccabees story is inspirational! But something having spiritual significance doesn't automatically make it a Bible holiday. Christmas is also not a Biblical holiday, even though it is based on Bible events and has meaning to its celebrants. We could take any Bible story and turn it into our own holiday if we wanted. There could be David and Goliath Day or Water Into Wine Wednesdays. We could invent these holidays and they could be fun, meaningful, and teach Biblical truths...but that doesn't put them on par with the holidays YHWH created.

If you want to celebrate Hanukkah, that's your choice. But don't do so thinking that it's a Biblical holiday, because it's not - it's a holiday invented by man. Manmade holidays aren't always bad, but we shouldn't esteem them as highly as the Biblical holidays the Living God directed to celebrate. Hanukkah is not a holiday the Bible commands us to celebrate.

*Please note that this post is to clarify why Hanukkah is not included in the seven Biblical holidays. I realize it is a significant holiday in Judaism, with historic and spiritual meaning. I mean no disrespect to that. My goal is to teach the distinction between what Scripture says and Jewish customs. Many Jews have told me they don't want to see the Messianic movement appropriating their culture, which is why I want believers in Messiah to know the difference between Jewish culture and Biblical commandments. Blessings to all!

Related posts:
What Believers in Messiah Need to Keep in Mind about Hanukkah
Why Christmas is Not a Biblical Holiday
Why I Don't Celebrate Hanukkah

Messianic Customs That Are Not From Scripture

Many of us who have wound up in the Messianic or Hebrew faith movements have been quick to point out to family and friends many of the unbiblical customs that are prevalent in the Christian church. I have done this myself, pointing out that Christmas is not in the Bible. But if someone asked me if I celebrated Hanukkah I would say yes, and make the argument that that was okay since it was "Biblically based." Talk about confusing! It is a poor testimony when we criticize others for participating in traditions and customs that are not found in the Bible, while we participate in different traditions and customs that are also not found in the Bible.

It can also be incredibly confusing for others to hear me say things like, "I just do what the Bible says," while doing quite a few things that are not even suggested in Scripture, let alone commanded...and what's worse is if I act like doing those things makes my faith more sincere than theirs.

Now, tradition is not always bad, and not all cultural customs are wrong. My point is not to condemn anyone who has participated in these things, but to shed more light onto what is and is not in the Bible. It is important that we know the difference between what is a commandment from YHWH given to us in Scripture, and what is simply a manmade tradition or cultural custom. This post is to point out a few of these unbiblical customs that are frequently seen in the Messianic movement; it is not a conclusive list.

Messianic customs that are not Biblical:

-Davidic dancing. This is the circular dance you might see a group of people participating in during worship at a Messianic congregation. While Scripture tells us that David danced in worship, it never suggests he did so in a circle. The similarity between Davidic dance and the maypole dance should give us pause. The maypole dance is a fertility ritual that is significant to Wiccans. I'm not saying those who participate in Davidic dancing have any intentions other than to honor YHWH, but you should know that other religions do very similar dances.

-Hanukkah and Purim. Yes, these are both mentioned briefly in the Bible (Hanukkah in John, and Purim in Esther), but nowhere does the Bible give us a command to participate in either, as it does in Leviticus 23 for the set apart times of YHWH. It is simply wrong to treat these like they are the same as the holidays that YHWH created and commanded us to celebrate. It seems hypocritical to tell others that it's not okay to celebrate a manmade holiday based on the events of Luke 2, only to turn around and celebrate a manmade holiday based off the events of Esther.

-Prayer shawls. I've visited congregations where these are so prevalent they might as well be the official uniform of that ministry, but there is simply no Biblical command or precedent for prayer shawls. While there's nothing wrong with wearing a shawl, consider why you are taking part of this. Wearing a prayer shawl does not make you any closer to YHWH.

-Star of David. This six pointed star gets slapped on everything from jewelry to ministry logos to menorahs...and never once does the Bible say this is a symbol we should be using. I recommend taking a look at this video before incorporating this star into your wardrobe or decorating your home or meeting place with one.

-Shabbat candles. Did you know the Bible does not command us to light candles to usher in the Sabbath days? Did you know there's not even a reference to a Biblical character ever doing this? It's simply wrong to teach or say that you need to light candles in order to properly observe the Sabbath.

If these things are prevalent in your home or congregation, consider the message that sends to visitors. Many Torah keepers use phrases like, "We do Bible things in Bible ways." If you hear that while you're surrounded by people in prayer shawls or dancing in a circle, in a building that's decorated with stars of David, it sends the message that those are Bible things when they are not. 

Let's be clear about our faith practices and make a distinction between Biblical commandments and manmade traditions. Please don't imply or say that believers need to participate in customs or rituals that are not found in Scripture.

Related posts:
The Seven Branch Menorah
Why Hanukkah is Not a Biblical Holiday
Commandments or Traditions - Understanding the New Testament

What Believers in Messiah Need to Keep in Mind about Hanukkah

Here are a few things all believers in Messiah should know about Hanukkah, whether or not you choose to celebrate it.

This is not a Biblical holiday. While passages of Scripture such as Leviticus 23 give us instructions for keeping YHWH's set apart times, Hanukkah is not mentioned there. Nowhere in Scripture are we told to celebrate Hanukkah.

The nine-branch 'menorah' that is used during Hanukkah is not the lampstand of Scripture. The Creator himself specified in Exodus 25 that his menorah has seven lights. Should we be altering its design so that it doesn't follow Biblical instructions?

The story of the oil miraculously lasting eight days when the Temple was rededicated is not in the book of Maccabees. Not that it couldn't have happened, but it's important to not make claims that it is in the book when it's not.

Unlike the traditional Hanukkah blessing says, the Creator never commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights. Don't teach falsities about what the Living God says.

The mention of the Messiah being at the Temple during Hanukkah in John 10 does not prove that he was celebrating or ordained what was happening. Yahusha frequently spent time with sinners - that doesn't mean he approved of everything they did.

If you read the rest of John 10 you'll see that the Messiah's presence was so poorly received during the Hanukkah festivities that the leaders tried to stone him there! Does it sound like he was taking part in what they were doing?

If you view it as a minor holiday, you should treat it as such. Don't put more effort, time, or money into Hanukkah than you would Passover, Sukkot, or the other Biblical holidays.

Many cultures have a 'Festival of Lights' around this time of year. Including the Hindu celebration of Diwali, and the Babylonian/Persian festival of Chaharshanbe Suri, which is nearly 4,000 years old.

Please keep these things in mind before celebrating this manmade holiday. If you celebrate, know the facts, and make it clear that this holiday is not something YHWH commanded us to do.

Related posts:
The Case for the Seven Branch Menorah
Why I Don't Celebrate Hanukkah
The Beginner's Guide to the Biblical Holidays
Why Hanukkah is Not a Biblical Holiday

Why I Don't Celebrate Hanukkah

Well, this is awkward.

I want to share with you why there are no dreidels nor latkes on my side of the internet at this time of year. But I also don't want to hurt feelings or cause arguments. I value each of you that takes the time to read Land of Honey and want to continue having good relationships with you guys. I've decided to share about this because I get questions and want to clear up any confusion. As always, thank you for your grace and kindness.

I don't celebrate Hanukkah. Okay I did, a couple of times. As someone who grew up celebrating Christmas there is a big void every December. It was easy to embrace Hanukkah as a beautiful and inspirational story of YHWH's provision, especially since it validated precious family time, special foods, and gifts at this time of year. And it certainly made the transition away from Christmas easier. I think the Maccabee story is stunning in so many ways. But I no longer celebrate it.

The realization came one day when someone asked why I don't celebrate Christmas. My answer was that I only celebrate the festivals of YHWH. They asked if I kept the other 'Jewish' holidays like Hanukkah and Purim. "Well yeah," I stumbled. "Since they are biblically based and all." I knew it had to stop.

That was the it moment for me. I am so tired of justifying why my life is different than how Scripture says it should be. Of making excuses for why I add to or take away from YHWH's instructions. Isn't that what I was doing with Christmas? That obviously has biblical tie ins. I have made too many changes to do this again in a different way.

But Hanukkah is the festival of lights and Yahusha is the light! This reasoning is one most in the Messianic movement use. The verses that speak of Yahusha being light are some the most beautiful passages in Scripture, in my opinion. We take them and apply it to the miracle of the oil miraculously burning for eight days. Who doesn't get goosebumps over the 'he is with us' symbolism? There's just a small problem here: while YHWH certainly could have caused one day's supply of oil to last for eight there is no record of that actually happening. Even if there were, I personally don't see how that would justify modifying the menorah as designed by YHWH.

Okay, but Yahusha celebrated Hanukkah. Did he? John 10:22 does say that he was at the Temple during Hanukkah but it doesn't say he was celebrating. One does not read John 10 and picture him manning the latke fryer. I doubt he made punch or lit a nine branch menorah. He definitely wouldn't have uttered the traditional Hanukkah blessing that describes this festival as a command of YHWH. In fact, he was such a buzz kill that the leaders of the Hanukkah party actually tried to stone him there.

If Yahusha wanted us to associate him with Hanukkah wouldn't that have been an excellent opportunity for his 'I am the light' speech? Instead--and this is what got him into trouble--he went with a simple phrase, "My sheep know my voice." In verse 26 he even goes as far to say those at the Hanukkah celebration don't trust him and aren't his sheep.

What's wrong with celebrating a miracle of YHWH though? Well, nothing, as long as we are doing it YHWH's way. And as beautiful and meaningful as Hanukkah celebrations can be, I'm not sure if that's his way. You see, many cultures have a 'Festival of Lights' at this time of year, including the Hindu celebration of Diwali and Persian/Babylonian festival of Chaharshanbe Suri, which has been around since at least 1700 BC. Can you think of another holiday in December that takes historic fact and spiritual significance and then mixes it with pagan tradition? How do you feel about that? Let us not forget that the enemy masquerades as an angel of light.

To clarify, here are a few things I am not saying:
The story of the Maccabees isn't true.
That the miracles YHWH performed at that time aren't amazing.
There aren't good intentions behind those that celebrate this.
I don't have friends I think highly of that celebrate Hanukkah.
Hanukkah can't be fun or special, or even have spiritual significance.

For me it comes down to wanting my faith to be simple and approachable. I want the changes in my life to be based on Scripture and for others to be able to see that. I want to base my life around the things of YHWH and not add other things in, even if they are special and meaningful. I want to emphasize YHWH's set apart times more than manmade holidays.
This is why I have decided not to celebrate it. There are many people and ministries I think very well of that would disagree with me on this. As always, you should search out Scripture and pray about how YHWH would have you to live. 

If you do celebrate Hanukkah I would ask you to consider:

-Making it clear that this is not a commandment of YHWH. The traditional blessing of, "Blessed are you, Adonai our God, king of the universe, who sanctifies us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the Hanukkah lights" is a blatant lie. Don't teach that something is an instruction of YHWH when it is not.

-Treating it as a minor holiday. It's sad that Hanukkah is better represented in culture than the actual festivals of YHWH. Don't put more effort, time, or money into a manmade holiday than you do YHWH's.

-Using a seven branch menorah. Accurately represent YHWH's menorah to friends and family by using the dimensions he laid out.

-Exploring the historic facts around the Maccabean revolt. And asking some hard questions about the oil, the priesthood/kingship the Maccabees established, and historic facts about the beginning of Hanukkah. Did you know the Pharisees actually started as a protest against the Maccabees? There's a lot to learn here!

So there you have my thoughts on Hanukkah. My goal is never to tell anyone what to do, but since I get asked this a lot I decided to share. I hope this helps to clear up any confusion!

Related posts:
Five Things Every Believer Should Know About Christmas
Why Hanukkah is Not a Biblical Holiday
Why I Stopped Celebrating Christmas