A Hanukkah reflection by Rabbi Jason Sobel
Hanukkah is a story born in the shadows. It takes place at a time when darkness threatened to extinguish the identity, faith, and survival of the Jewish people. The Maccabees lived in a world filled with pressure, confusion, and compromise. Yet amid overwhelming challenges, they chose to remain faithful to God. Through their obedience, God rekindled the light.
This ancient story speaks strongly to our moment in history. Many people today feel the weight of uncertainty. The world seems increasingly unstable. And once again, the Jewish people are facing hostility and violence around the world. Hanukkah reminds us that none of this is new, and none of it is beyond the reach of God’s faithfulness. The same God who preserved His people in the days of the Maccabees is still preserving them today.
The Faithful Few
Historically, Hanukkah was not centered on a miraculous supply of oil. That tradition came later. The original miracle was that a small group of Jewish priests refused to surrender their identity or abandon God’s commandments. They stood firm when many others gave way. And through them, God restored the Temple and the hope of Israel.
This theme of a faithful remnant appears throughout Scripture. God often works through those who are willing to follow Him even when circumstances seem impossible. Think of Gideon, David, and the early disciples. Their strength was not in numbers but in faith.
Today, we are invited into that same posture. Not a posture of fear or frustration, but one of quiet confidence in God. It looks like steadiness and choosing truth over convenience. And it looks like honoring God even when the culture moves in another direction. This is where spiritual light becomes visible.
Yeshua and Hanukkah
Many believers do not realize that Hanukkah is mentioned in the New Testament. In John 10:22-30, Yeshua is in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication, which is another name for Hanukkah. What He says there speaks directly into the fears and uncertainties many people feel today.
“My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and no one will snatch them from My hand.”
In a moment when Israel felt threatened and divided, Yeshua pointed them back to what is absolutely secure: His presence and His protection.
Hanukkah is not only about the rededication of the Temple. It is about renewing our trust in the One who holds us.
Confronting Darkness Today
We cannot ignore that the world is experiencing a troubling rise in antisemitism. Old lies and hostilities are resurfacing in new forms. The same spiritual forces that tried to erase Jewish identity in the days of the Maccabees are still active.
Followers of Yeshua are called to stand with the Jewish people, to pray for Israel, and to speak truth when falsehoods spread. This is not about politics. It is about biblical faithfulness.
To stand with Israel is to stand with the story God is telling in the world.
A Light That Increases
One of the things I have always loved about Hanukkah is the way we light the menorah. We do not start with a blaze of light. We begin with a single flame and let the light grow night by night. It is such a simple practice, yet it speaks volumes.
Many of us feel like our own light is small, especially in difficult seasons, but God often starts His work with something small and steady. He strengthens it, breathes on it, and allows it to shine in ways we never expected. Hanukkah reminds us that God is never limited by what seems small. In His hands, even a tiny flame becomes a testimony.
Rededicating Our Hearts
The word Hanukkah means dedication. When the Maccabees reclaimed the Temple, they cleansed it and rededicated it to God. We are invited to do the same with our hearts.
Are there areas that feel dim or discouraged? Are there burdens or fears that have taken up space that belongs to the Lord? Hanukkah is a time to bring those things into God’s light and ask Him to renew us.
Should Christians Celebrate Hanukkah?
Many Christians wonder whether they should celebrate Hanukkah. The short answer is that you are not required to observe it, but you are invited to enter its meaning.
Hanukkah is not one of the biblical festivals commanded in the Torah. Yet it is part of the story of God’s faithfulness to Israel, and the New Testament shows that Yeshua Himself was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22). He stood in the Temple during this season and spoke words of comfort, identity, and assurance. When believers choose to honor Hanukkah, they are stepping into a moment that Yeshua affirmed.
Christians who celebrate Hanukkah are not taking on Jewish identity. They are remembering the God who keeps His promises, who pushes back darkness, and who calls His people to remain faithful in the face of pressure. Hanukkah is a reminder that God still preserves Israel. It also points us to the One who is the true Light of the World.
If you feel drawn to observe Hanukkah, let it be an act of worship rather than an obligation. Light the candles. Read the Scriptures. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Let the story strengthen your faith and deepen your connection to the Jewish roots of your walk with Yeshua.
To explore the deeper meaning of Hanukkah and its rich spiritual symbolism, check out this resource I created for followers of Yeshua: Miracles and Wonders: The Rich Roots of Chanukah
Shining in a Turbulent World
The world doesn’t need louder voices or increased fear. It needs people who carry the steady light of God’s presence, who intercede for Israel, and who live with clarity and compassion. Simply put, the world needs individuals who refuse to let darkness define the story.
Hanukkah reminds us that darkness never has the final word. God’s faithfulness endures. His covenant stands. And His light continues to shine through those who trust in Him.
May the light of Yeshua fill your home and heart this season.
May His peace steady you.
May His presence strengthen you.
And may you shine with renewed hope in the days ahead.
Chag Urim Sameach. Happy Festival of Lights!
Here is a step-by-step playlist for you through all 8 lights of Hanukkah
