Category Archives: Chanukah

December 30, 2016—Next Year in Jerusalem!

December 30, 2016—Next Year in Jerusalem!

Nightfall Sunday—New Year’s Day—marks the end of the eight days of the Jewish Festival of Lights, Chanukah—celebrated by Jews worldwide to remember the Maccabees and the miracle when a single day’s oils was sufficient to light the menorah for eight days. As noted last week, our West Point cadets are reminded of Judah the Maccabee by his statue among “nine worthies” and his leadership against great odds to purge the Temple of Hellenistic cult paraphernalia, reconstruct the sanctuary according to Torah prescriptions and re-consecrate it to the worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Read Full Story

December 24, 2016—Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

December 24, 2016—Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

This evening is a rare evening—Nightfall begins the first day of the Jewish Chanukah festivities and coincides with Christmas Eve festivities that, for Christians, heralds the coming of a baby Jewish boy we believe is the Messiah prophesized in the Old Testament. Our Jewish friends believe the Messiah is yet to come, and we believe… Read Full Story

December 22, 2015—Wise Men Still Seek Him.

December 22, 2015—Wise Men Still Seek Him.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” ~ Isaiah 9:6 (KJV) . . . “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.” ~ Revelation 11:15 (KJV) Read Full Story

December 5, 2013—Where Are Today’s Maccabees?

December 5, 2013—Where Are Today’s Maccabees?

On this, the final day of Chanukah, as Jews worldwide complete their celebration of the Maccabee victory that liberated their Temple over two millennia ago, all Americans should remember our common love of liberty, the heritage that has set the West apart, and the common enemy that threatens our very existence and freedom today. We need modern Maccabees to preserve that heritage of liberty for our posterity. So may it be . . . Read Full Story