Each year Rabbi Jeffrey Lipschultz invites local clergy and congregations to the Wildwood Beth Judah Temple for a community celebration of Hanukkah. Beth Judah Temple, initially incorporated as an Orthodox form of Hebrew worship in 1915, eventually was built on the corner of Spencer and Pacific avenues here in Wildwood. It is one of the first synagogues here at the South Jersey shore.
As early as 1882 a group of Eastern European Jews emigrated from Russia to the Vineland area. Some ended up here in Wildwood and celebrated their first Rosh Hashanah in 1911. In 1929 the building which now is in use in Wildwood was officially opened for worship.
The story of Hanukkah is recorded in the books of Maccabees. The story dates back 2,300 years. Due to political confusion and varied allegiances for a number of years, Israel found itself under the influence and domination of the Seleucid Dynasty. This dynasty was one of the branches of the Hellenistic Monarchies formed after the death of Alexander the Great. Israel was divided between those more influenced by the faith of their ancestors and the more liberal party influenced by the Hellenistic culture of their day. These Hellenized Jews changed their Hebrew names to Greek names, instituted the Greek athletic games and even began to dress according to Greek fashions.
Into this atmosphere there arose a Syrian leader by the name of Antiochus Epiphanes. He would rule Syria from 175-164 B.C. After entering the city of Jerusalem in 168 B.C., he ordered that a pig be killed upon the Brazen Altar in the Temple and then committed the ultimate offense, the abomination of desolation, having his soldiers carry a statue of Zeus Olympus (“Baal Shamen”) into the Holy of Holies. He then demanded that the people bow down and worship his god. Many Jews would not give allegiance to the foreign god and more than 80,000 Jews were put to death for refusing.
Antiochus did not plan on the Jews resisting him. But in the little village of Modin, about 15 miles northwest of Jerusalem, a priest by the name of Matththias and his five sons rebelled against him. Under the leadership of his oldest son, Judah, a guerrilla-style war was launched against the Syrians. After three years of war the Jews drove the Syrian army out of Israel. For the victorious Jews, the first order of business was the Temple in Jerusalem. Both the altar and the Holy of Holies had been desecrated and defiled. The abomination occurred on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of KISLEV (December). Exactly three years later, to that very day, the altar and Temple were cleansed. While they were rededicating the Temple, they lit the Temple candelabrum (menorah) with one-day’s supply of oil and it miraculously lasted for eight days.
Shortly before his death, Jesus traveled to the city of Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Hanukkah. We read in the Gospel of St. John 10:22; “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication and it was winter.” Jesus identified with the rich Hebraic symbolism of “Light.” We read in St. John’s Gospel; “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but he will have the light of life… as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world…. are there not 12 hours in a day? If any man walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world…. Then Jesus said to them, for a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you.”
Each of these references to Jesus as the light of the world in John chapters 8, 9, 11 and 12 surround chapter 10 where the “feast of dedication” (Hanukkah) is being observed.
Christians and Jews at this time of year look for the light that illumines the soul. We look to Torah and Gospel to illuminate our paths. We light candles in our menorahs and Advent wreathes to symbolize God’s abiding presence and salvific will for his children. Our lighting rituals remind us of how God has acted on our behalf in human history. Christians light candles on our Advent wreaths to prepare spiritually for the birth of Christ on Christmas Day and Jews light the Hanukkah menorah to celebrate God’s “triumph over oppression.” May the lights of Hanukkah and Christmas warm our hearts and deepen our faith.
Father Joseph D. Wallace is coordinator, Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs, Diocese of Camden.
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