Rabbi Daniel Robitshek

The Story of Hanukkah

BY RABBI DANIEL ROBITSHEK

I still can hear the voice of comedian Alan King barking, “A short summary of every Jewish holiday: They tried to kill us … we won … let’s eat!”

Although humorous indeed, there also is much truth behind it. The miracle is, we have survived. Hanukkah, the Hebrew word for dedication, certainly is symbolic of that sentiment. More than two millennia ago, a series of miracles took place in the land of Judea, the homeland of the Jewish nation.

The most well known of these miracles centers around the hanukkiah (a nine-branched candelabra) and the tradition of lighting candles commemorating the eight days the Temple menorah burned continuously after its rededication, with only one day of priestly oil available. But, the real miracle of Hanukkah is much more profound.

Antiochus Epiphanes, the emperor of Syria, set out to destroy the religion of the Hebrews and replace the worship of the one true God with that of the gods of Hellenism. He sent his army to Jerusalem to eradicate any semblance of Judaism. In the space of three days, much of the city was destroyed, and 80,000 Jewish men, women and children either were slaughtered or sold into slavery. Epiphanes’ army defiled the Jewish Temple, raised a bearded statue of Zeus, offered a pig on the altar to his gods and sprinkled its blood in the Holy of Holies (the inner sanctuary within the Tabernacle and Temple in Jerusalem). The swine’s broth was poured on the scrolls of the Torah, which were then ripped into pieces and burned.

Epiphanes ordered all to bow to his gods and eat the flesh of pigs to prove their rejection of their Jewish faith. The alternative was death. He forbade all Sabbath worship, reading of Torah and circumcision. His goal was to humiliate the Jews’ God, thereby fully assimilating them into Greek culture.

Hanukkah, the feast of dedication, celebrates the rededication of the Jewish Temple and the valor of Judah and the Maccabees, a tribe of Torahobservant Jews who, against all odds, raised a small army to defend the Jewish people and our God. The powerful and verifiable miracle was not man-made, though. It had happened before. Madmen and nations, such as Pharaoh, Haman, the Assyrians and the Babylonians, had been hell-bent on eradicating the Jewish people, and the list continues into the modern era. Our survival declares in the face of irreconcilable odds that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob “keeps his covenant to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

The invaders from Syria were driven from the land, and the focus of the Maccabees changed to the cleansing of the Temple. On the 25th day of Kislev, in 164 B.C., exactly three years to the day after its desecration, the Temple and the altar were rededicated. The image of Zeus was torn down, and the rebuilding began (1 Maccabees 4:26-61). From then on, commemorating Hanukkah yearly was established.

Since the events marked by Hanukkah occurred during the so-called intertestamental times, the one biblical allusion to this celebration actually occurs in the New Testament: “Then came the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking around inside the Temple area, in Solomon’s Colonnade” (John 10:22-23).

Yes, even Jesus, arguably the most well-known Jew in history, went to Jerusalem during Hanukkah. From a Messianic Jewish perspective, the Messiah never would have been born had Epiphanes accomplished his goal. Of course, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had other plans, and his blueprint of redemption for mankind was not going to be denied.

Robitshek and his wife Tracey serve at Sar Shalom Messianic Fellowship in Woodstock.

Holiday Happenings

Through Dec. 6

Santa’s Letters can be dropped in the North Pole mailbox at the Cherokee Recreation Center in Woodstock. Santa personally will reply to each letter and mail it back to your child from the North Pole on Dec. 13. Parents, leave a special note for Santa deciphering the letter if your child’s handwriting is not legible. www.playcherokee.org. Through Dec. 14

Children’s letters can be dropped off in Santa’s mailbox, at the Park at City Center Gazebo in downtown Woodstock. Kids will receive a personalized letter back from him before Christmas. Teachers, please do not use this as a classroom project. https://bit.ly/3imwC66. Through Jan. 1

Rink on the River is at The Mill on Etowah TuesdaysSundays. Bring the family to enjoy an awesome ice skating option during the Christmas season. Visit https://bit. ly/2Yd28wA for more details, including hours for the rink. Dec. 1, 8, 15

Join Wednesday evening Advent services, 7:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodstock. www. gslutheran.org. Dec. 2

Jingle Mingle 2021, presented by IN WDSTK, will be 6-8 p.m. at Reformation Brewery in downtown Woodstock. Tickets include a silent auction, food from Queenie’s BBQ, two Reformation drink tickets and a 2021 Jingle Mingle souvenir glass. Event proceeds benefit Woodstock Public Safety Foundation’s Shop with a Hero event. inwdstk.org. Dec. 3

The eighth annual March of the Toys Parade begins at 7 p.m. in downtown Ball Ground. Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots campaign. Visit www.marchofthetoysparade.com or the March of the Toys Parade Facebook page for details. “Elf Adventures” will begin at 7 p.m. at Cherokee High School in Canton. Tickets are $5. Contact the school’s front office to purchase tickets. Pancakes With Santa begins at 6:30 p.m. at Hickory Flat Fellowship Church in Canton. www.hickoryflatfellowshipchurch.com.

Dec. 3-24

The Woodstock Arts Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol,” a spectacular Broadway musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ best-known story, which breathes new life into the classic tale, with music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens. Recommended for ages 8-plus (content). www.woodstockarts.org. Dec. 4

The 25th annual Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights leaves at 5:30 p.m. from Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Road, and travels down Main Street to Sam’s Club on Highway 92. Starting at 4:30 p.m., holiday and food vendors will be in the Park at City Center, and Christmas activities will take place after the parade. https://bit.ly/3imwC66.

The 2021 Holly Springs Christmas Parade will welcome the holiday season at 1:30 p.m. The parade begins on Holly Springs Parkway at the intersection with Mountain Brook Drive, continues onto Palm Street, turns onto Betty Barrett Way and travels west onto Hickory Road from the roundabout. www.hollyspringsga.us/christmasparade.

Canton Optimist Club Music Festival and Market

Place is noon-6 p.m. in Cannon Park. Virtual Santa in the park is 3-5 p.m. The Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m. in downtown Canton. https://bit.ly/3ElKjKW. Breakfast With Santa will be 9-11 a.m. at Bascomb United Methodist Church, 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road, Woodstock. www.bascombumc.org. Lights on the Lake is back at Allatoona Lake, 6 p.m., beginning at the Atlanta Yacht Club. The fifth annual boat parade benefits the Calvary Children’s Home, and can be viewed from Gatewood Park/Bartow Beach or Cooper Branch No. 1 Boat Ramp. Participants, sponsors and donors can visit www.lakeallatoonaassoc.com.

Holiday Happenings

Dec. 4

The Timothy Lutheran Church Youth Group is hosting its annual Christmas Craft Fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at 556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. Admission is free to shop at more than 40 vendor booths, and enjoy food and live entertainment. https://timothylutheran.360unite.com/home. Reindeer Run 2021 begins at 8 a.m. in Etowah River Park in Canton. The annual 5K and fun run is hosted by the Service League of Cherokee County. There will be a cash reward for the school with the most participants. Visit https://bit.ly/3BYc374 to register. Dec. 4-5, 10-12, 17-19

Performances of “A Christmas Carol,” directed by Wally and Jeannie Hinds, will be at the Canton Theatre. The traditional holiday classic is portrayed by six actors. www.cherokeetheatre.org/shows. Dec. 5

Bundle up the family and join Holiday in the Park, noon-4 p.m., at Cherokee Veterans Park. Families can enjoy Christmas shopping, along with craft vendors, food trucks, decorating cookies, making crafts, playing on bounce houses and more. Admission is $10 per child, cash-only. www.playcherokee.org. Dec. 8

Check-in for Girls Night Holiday Social is 5:30-7 p.m. at the Mill on Etowah. Grab your girlfriends, neighbors, sisters, moms and join the fun, including a dueling pianos show and a make-and-take craft. Visit https://bit.ly/3kg2B8W for tickets. Dec. 10

Christmas in Canton is 6-9 p.m. at Cannon Park. Activities will include a visit with Santa, a showing of “The Polar Express,” train rides, a petting zoo, face painting, a balloon artist, inflatables, s’mores and more. Downtown shops will be open late. https://bit.ly/3jEDPz8. Dec. 11

Join the family- and pet-friendly event, Ho Ho Horses, 2-5 p.m. at Mariposa Farms in Canton. Talk with Santa on his sleigh, have some cookies and hot cocoa, play games and make an ornament. Appointments can be made for kids who need quieter time. https://bit.ly/3bMikb8.

Reserve your spot, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.-noon, for Swim With the Grinch at the Aquatic Center. Cost is $10 per child. Participants will decorate a tree with underwater tree lights, get crafty with elves and take pictures with the Grinch. www.playcherokee.org. Visit with Santa, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., in downtown Canton at the Cannon Park Gazebo. Bring your camera, and have photos taken with Santa. https://bit.ly/3BgvA2a. Dec. 12

Christmas with the Cherokee Chorale, conducted by Scott Martin, is at 4 p.m. at Canton First United Methodist Church. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for students. The performance features Christmas and holiday favorites. www.cherokeechorale.org. Dec. 13

Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to the Harry Potter Yule Ball, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Hickory Flat Public Library. Costumes and plus-ones are encouraged. Enjoy music, dancing and light refreshments. Visit www.calendarwiz.com/sequoyahreglib to register. Dec. 15

If you would like Santa and his elves to call your child, complete and print the Santa’s Calling request form on www.playcherokee.org. You can mail, drop off at the Recreation Center or email the request form by Dec. 13. Santa and his elves will be making calls on Dec. 15, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 22

Join the Grinch Day celebration of all things green and grinchy, 10:30-11:30 a.m., at Woodstock Public Library. Registration is not required. www.calendarwiz.com/ sequoyahreglib. Dec. 24

Christmas Eve services will be held at Bascomb United Methodist Church, 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road, Woodstock. Join the family service, 6-7 p.m., and the candlelight service, 11 p.m.-midnight. www.bascombumc.org. Sojourn Woodstock’s annual Eve on the Green service will begin with Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and bonfires at 5 p.m., followed by a short candlelight service beginning at 5:15 p.m. The service will be held outdoors at the Woodstock Arts Event Green, 111 Elm St. in downtown Woodstock. eveonthegreen.com.

Attend Christmas Eve services with Holy Communion at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodstock. A service of lessons and carols is at 3 p.m.; the family service is at 5 p.m.; the candlelight praise service is at 7 p.m., and the traditional candlelight service is at 9 p.m. www.gslutheran.org. Dec. 25

Join the worship service with Holy Communion, 11 a.m., at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodstock. Casual attire. www.gslutheran.org.

Light Displays

to Brighten Your Holidays

Pack the car with family and friends, put on your favorite holiday music, and have a de-light-ful time visiting twinkling displays you can walk or drive through.

Dec. 2-23

The 10th annual Holiday Lights of Hope opens nightly at 6 p.m. at Hobgood Park in Woodstock. The event features a huge walk-through Christmas light display with more than 2 million lights. Cost is $10 per person. Kids ages 14 and younger are free. Proceeds benefit the Anna Crawford Children’s Center. https://bit.ly/3GspZJM. For the most up-todate information, visit the Holiday Lights of Hope Facebook page.

Dec. 10-12

Drive through a live Nativity and Christmas lights display, 7-9 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church in Jasper. Everyone is invited to this free display. https://bit. ly/3whVGkD.

Through Dec. 23

Visit Mountain Country Christmas in Lights, 6-9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 4-9 p.m. Saturdays, at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee. Enjoy a winter walk through thousands of lights and exhibits. There will be live music, arts and crafts vendors, holiday food and pictures with Santa. https://bit.ly/3GA0I0C.

Through Dec. 31

Holiday Lights at Veterans Park opens nightly at 6 p.m. Enjoy a 2-mile drive through the Christmas light show. Admission is $20 per car. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Holiday Lights at Veterans Park Facebook page.

The Holly Springs Light Show provides uplifting holiday entertainment nightly, 6 p.m.-midnight at First Baptist Holly Springs. It is free to attend, but donations are greatly appreciated at the clearly marked boxes. www.facebook.com/hollyspringslightsshow. Lights of LIFE, every night, rain or shine, through New Year’s Eve. The display opens at dark and runs until 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at Life University, 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta. Cost is $10 per car/truck; buses are $20. Fees for individual goods and services are at the discretion of the vendors. www.life.edu/lights-of-life.

Light Up the Holidays at Barnsley Resort visitors, are welcome to view more than 1 million lights and festive décor in the historic 1800s manor house ruins, surrounding gardens and English-style village. There is a small fee for the self-guided tour at 597 Barnsley Gardens Road, Adairsville. www.barnsleyresort.com.

Through Jan. 2

See your favorite tunes come to life in Rockin’ Christmas, open nightly, 6-10 p.m. at 250 Cobb Parkway N, Marietta. The mile-long drive-through show features a symphony of sight and sound, from life-sized musical notes to retro Santa spinning it old school. https://bit.ly/2ZtC5C4. Celebrate the season with Stone Mountain Christmas, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. Millions of lights, Christmas shows, a parade featuring Santa Claus and more create a night to remember. Don’t miss the Scenic Railroad, Journey through Musical Frosted Forest and the World’s Largest Christmas Lights Show. www.stonemountainpark.com.

Photo courtesy of Holiday Lights at Veterans Park.

Through Jan. 2

Visit Holiday In the Park select dates at Six Flags Over Georgia. More than 1 million LED lights and dozens of Christmas trees create a magical atmosphere during the holiday season. This holiday classic includes sparkling lights, festive shows, culinary treats, and, of course, Santa! https://bit.ly/3nEWFal.

Lights of Joy, the largest residential Christmas light display in Georgia, has more than 750,000 lights. Open nightly, 6-11 p.m. 1510 Ben King Road NW, Kennesaw, 30144. Park at Influencers Church across the street, walk to see the lights in this free display, and enjoy sections synchronized to Christmas music. No pets allowed. www.lightsofjoy.net/about-joy.

Through Jan. 3

Fantasy in Lights is back at Callaway Gardens, 17800 Highway 27, Pine Mountain. A new scene, Magical Field of Lights, is nearly two football fields long and features a Christmas tree more than 10 stories tall. Bundle up for a Jolly Trolley ride, or drive your car through millions of lights. Named one of the top 10 light displays in the world by National Geographic. www.callawaygardens.com.

Through Jan. 15

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights features Orchestral Orbs, glowing harmoniously with holiday tunes, at Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. A Tunnel of Light, the radiant Ice Goddess and the Glittering Galaxy embraces visitors in enchanting light. Health and safety protocols are in place, and the garden is operating at limited capacity. Only timed tickets are available online. www.atlantabg.org.

Through Feb. 27

Stroll through Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights Spectacular nightly at 5 p.m. at Lanier Islands, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Gainesville. All ages will enjoy the magical walk through a lighting extravaganza with festive music. Then, stop at License to Chill Snow Island at Margaritaville, with one of the fastest snow rides in North America, ice skating, a snow play area, fire pits, s’mores, carnival rides and more. www.lanierislands.com.