In Jewish history, two major battles took place on the 13th of Adar in defense against evil enemies who were plotting the destruction of the Jews.
The first battle is against the Persian Empire in the 4th century BCE as described in the Book of Esther. Evil Haman plotted to wipe out the Jews on the 13th of Adar, but the battle turned and instead Haman, along with his ten sons were killed. To this day the "Fast of Esther" on the 13th of Adar remembers how God reversed Evil Haman's plan and gave victory to the Jews. This story is associated to the Jewish holiday of Purim, also known as "Mordechai Day."
The second battle on the 13th of Adar is the "Battle of Adasa" in ~161 BC. The evil Seleucid Greek general named Nicanor planned to wipe out the army of Judah Maccabeus on the Sabbath. The battle went the other way and evil Nicanor was killed. To this day the "Fast of Nicanor" on the 13th of Adar remembers that victory. This story is associated to the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, also known as the "Feast of Dedication" and the "Festival of Lights."
Why Hanukkah Falls on the 25th
The 13th day of Adar is in the 12th month on the Hebrew/Aramaic calendar. But Hanukkah is celebrated on 25th day in the month of Kislev, not Adar. Why?
The 25th day marks the desecration of the Temple in Jerusalem when Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king, sacrificed a pig to Zeus on the altar and banned Jewish practices. This act was prophecied in the Book of Daniel who referred to it as the "abomination of desolation."
Years later, on the same day the temple was profaned, the 25th, the Maccabees cleansed the temple, built a new altar and struck stones and "took fire out of them." "They offered a sacrifice and set forth incense, and lights, and shewbread." In other words, the Temple in Jerusalem was both profaned and then re-dedicated on the same day, the 25th of Kislev. This is the beginning of Hanukkah and last eight nights.
After the Maccabees defeated the Greek Seleucids, Israel was united and began a very prosperous period known as the Hasmonean Dynasty. It lasted up until the Romans conquered Israel and the destruction of the 2nd Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD.
Let's Settle This
There are details in the story of the Maccabees that have relevance to the currect conflicts in Israel. Namely, what we should call the land in Israel that is west of the Jordan River.
Concerning the debate over what to call the Land that is west of the Jordan River. Read the verse below:
2 Maccabees 10:1 --
"When Nicanor learned that Judas and his companions were in the territory of Samaria, he decided he could attack them in complete safety on the day of rest."
The Battle of Nicanor took place at Adasa in the "territory of SAMARIA!" Much of the bible took place in Samaria.
Samaria is a central region in ancient Israel encompassing Shechem, Sychar, and Mounts Gerizim and Ebal. Samaria features prominently in both the Old and New Testaments. It served as the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel where key historical, prophetic, and redemptive moments in Scripture took place.
The bible does not say "West Bank." The term "west bank" is a construct! Today, Samaria is ALREADY IN ISRAEL. It does not need to be annexed! The issue is "sovereignty." That is the question of rulership.
Sovereignty fundamentally boils down to the question of who rules—and how that authority is exercised, recognized, and limited (or not). At its core, it's the supreme power to govern within a defined territory or domain.
Today, while Israel allows others to govern many villages inside Samaria, there are no foreign troops stationed in Samaria. The only the military power present in Samaria is the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). It would be ludicrous and suicidal for Israel to allow ANY other military or armed forces to occupy Samaria!
There are two other parallels between current events with Hamas and Maccabees. In both cases the evil offense was reversed on the anniversary. The Temple in Jerusalem was re-dedicated on the anniversary of the same day it was desecrated. And, the remaining hostages were returned on the anniversary of the same day they were tsken.
The other parallel is the Jewish holiday that was celebrated when the temple was re-dedicated, the Maccabees celebrated a holiday that they were not able celebrate while the temple was unpure. They holiday they were making up for was the Feast of Booths, which is the holiday of Sukkot, which culminates on 22 Tishrei, which is the 8th day, the day of the Great Assembly (Shemini Atzeret) and the holiday of Simchat Torah. Hamas attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023. That year is was Simchat Torah. The remaining hostages were returned on October 7, 2025 which was the first full day of Sukkot.
What Was Celebrated in the Temple on Hanukkah?
Specifically, what was being CELEBRATED in the temple "on Hanukkah." For that let's look at the historical book:
2 Maccabees chapter 10:2-3 --
"they (the Maccabees) destroyed the altars erected by the foreigners in the marketplace and the sacred shrines.
After purifying the temple, they made another altar. Then, with fire struck from flint, they offered sacrifice for the first time in two years,* burned incense, and lighted lamps. They also set out the showbread."
Look a few verses down to see what the Jews celebrated:
2 Maccabees 10:5 --
5 On the anniversary of the day on which the temple had been profaned by the foreigners, that is, the twenty-fifth of the same month Kislev, the purification of the temple took place.
6 The Jews celebrated joyfully for eight days as on the feast of Booths, remembering how, a little while before, they had spent the feast of Booths living like wild animals in the mountains and in caves.
7 Carrying rods entwined with leaves, beautiful branches and palms, they sang hymns of grateful praise to him who had successfully brought about the purification of his own place.
My friends, that is Feast of Tabernacles. That is Sukkot!
The 7th and final day of Sukkot is called Hosanna Rabbah (also spelled Hoshana Rabbah) which means "Great Salvation." It is said that "THE 7th DAY IS HANUKKAH!"
On Hoshana Rabbah, Jews pray for abundant rainfall and the finalization of the year's divine judgment. Prayers include asking for a year of plentiful livelihood, salvation, and the overall well-being of the world.
But Hanukkah is Celebrated for 8 Nights
There is another Jewish holiday immediately after the 7th day, the last day of the great feast of Sukkot. On sunset of the 7th day begins the 8th day in relationship to Sukkot. It is called Shemini (8) Atzeret (Assembly). It is the holiday of Simchat Torah. That is the day Jews complete reading the Torah. It is a day of great joy and celebration. In the temple Jews sing and dance with Torah. Then we roll the Torah back read "Bereshit," (In the Beginning) better known as Genesis. The Torah is put back in the Ark after the first few verses.
Blended Threads of Sukkot, Purim, and Hanukkah
Here is an interesting way in which the holidays of Sukkot, Purim and Hanukkah are all blended together.
After the Maccabees defeated Nicanor at the battle of Adasa, Judah Maccabeus "hung Nicanor’s head and arm on the wall of the citadel, a clear and evident sign to all of the Lord’s help." (V15:35)
Then in the next verse, 2 Maccabees 15:36 reads:
By public vote it was unanimously decreed never to let this day pass unobserved, but to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, called Adar in Aramaic, the eve of Mordecai’s Day.
Hanukkah, when we defeated the Selucid Greeks, we celebrated the Feast of Tabernacle, Sukkot, and remembered the defeat of the evil Haman and his Army of Persians.
The holidays of Sukkot, Purim and Hanukkah are blended together in a way that is remembered on a holiday that started it all, the original Passover.
One Theme
On the 8th day, the day of great joy and celebration, that is the day that Hamas plotted to attack Israel in 2023. That is the day they robbed, killed and destroyed. After two years of fierce battle, Israel got back the hostages that were still alive. Hamas is committed to doing Oct 7th again.
There is a prayer said during the Passover Seder called the "Vehi Sheamda." Here is the translation:
And this, Hashem’s blessings and the Torah, is what kept our fathers and what keeps us surviving. For, not only one arose and tried to destroy us, rather in every generation they try to destroy us, and Hashem saves us from their hands.
To this day, there is still an evil force in the world that would if it could destroy the Jews. The prophets have warned us again & again of what happens when we turn away from God. Each time we are miraculously saved because of the Covenant God made with our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The Season of 25
Ever wonder why Christmas is on the 25th, close to Hanukkah? Maybe it has something to do with why the Catholic Church displays the Book of Maccabees right next to the church beside the Shroud of Turin open to the verses I wrote about above. Above is a picture that I took there.
I blogged about "knowing." Check it out.
