2 maccabees 1:9 - And now see that you⌃ keep the days of the feast of tabernacles of the month Chislev.
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What does "2 maccabees 1:9" mean?
The verse "And now see that you⌃ keep the days of the feast of tabernacles of the month Chislev" (2 Maccabees 1:9) refers to a specific historical event and a subsequent request made by Jews in Jerusalem to their brethren in Egypt. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context:
Historical Context: The verse comes from a letter written by the Jews in Jerusalem and Judea to the Jews in Egypt. This letter recounts the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem by Judas Maccabeus after its desecration by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This rededication is celebrated as Hanukkah.
Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot: The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is a major Jewish festival celebrated in the fall (typically in the month of Tishrei). It commemorates the Israelites' wandering in the desert and their reliance on God's protection.
Month of Chislev: Chislev is a month in the Jewish calendar that corresponds roughly to November/December. The rededication of the Temple and the institution of Hanukkah occurred on the 25th of Chislev.
The Request: The Jews in Jerusalem are asking the Jews in Egypt to celebrate the rededication of the Temple (Hanukkah) and to keep it "as" or "instead of" the Feast of Tabernacles in the month of Chislev.
In essence, the verse means:
"We urge you to observe the days of the rededication of the altar, which happened in the month of Chislev. We are asking you to celebrate this event with similar joy and festivity as you would the Feast of Tabernacles."
Why this request?
There are a few possible reasons for the request:
1. Timing: The actual Feast of Tabernacles in Tishrei had likely been disrupted or impossible to celebrate properly due to the persecution under Antiochus. Celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Chislev was seen as a way to make up for the missed celebration.
2. Significance: The rededication of the Temple was a momentous occasion for the Jews. It symbolized the restoration of their religious freedom and the renewal of their covenant with God. The letter's authors wanted to ensure that all Jews, including those in Egypt, recognized and celebrated its importance.
3. Unity: By encouraging the Jews in Egypt to observe Hanukkah, the leaders in Jerusalem were promoting a sense of unity and shared identity among all Jews, regardless of their location.
Therefore, 2 Maccabees 1:9 is not instructing anyone to change the original Sukkot celebration. Rather, it is requesting that the Jews in Egypt celebrate the Temple's rededication with a similar level of joy and festivity in the month of Chislev (when Hanukkah takes place), as they would have celebrated Sukkot.
2 maccabees 1:9 - And now see that you⌃ keep the days of the feast of tabernacles of the month Chislev.
What does "2 maccabees 1:9" mean?
The verse "And now see that you⌃ keep the days of the feast of tabernacles of the month Chislev" (2 Maccabees 1:9) refers to a specific historical event and a subsequent request made by Jews in Jerusalem to their brethren in Egypt. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context:
Historical Context: The verse comes from a letter written by the Jews in Jerusalem and Judea to the Jews in Egypt. This letter recounts the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem by Judas Maccabeus after its desecration by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This rededication is celebrated as Hanukkah.
Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot: The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is a major Jewish festival celebrated in the fall (typically in the month of Tishrei). It commemorates the Israelites' wandering in the desert and their reliance on God's protection.
Month of Chislev: Chislev is a month in the Jewish calendar that corresponds roughly to November/December. The rededication of the Temple and the institution of Hanukkah occurred on the 25th of Chislev.
The Request: The Jews in Jerusalem are asking the Jews in Egypt to celebrate the rededication of the Temple (Hanukkah) and to keep it "as" or "instead of" the Feast of Tabernacles in the month of Chislev.
In essence, the verse means:
"We urge you to observe the days of the rededication of the altar, which happened in the month of Chislev. We are asking you to celebrate this event with similar joy and festivity as you would the Feast of Tabernacles."
Why this request?
There are a few possible reasons for the request:
1. Timing: The actual Feast of Tabernacles in Tishrei had likely been disrupted or impossible to celebrate properly due to the persecution under Antiochus. Celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Chislev was seen as a way to make up for the missed celebration.
2. Significance: The rededication of the Temple was a momentous occasion for the Jews. It symbolized the restoration of their religious freedom and the renewal of their covenant with God. The letter's authors wanted to ensure that all Jews, including those in Egypt, recognized and celebrated its importance.
3. Unity: By encouraging the Jews in Egypt to observe Hanukkah, the leaders in Jerusalem were promoting a sense of unity and shared identity among all Jews, regardless of their location.
Therefore, 2 Maccabees 1:9 is not instructing anyone to change the original Sukkot celebration. Rather, it is requesting that the Jews in Egypt celebrate the Temple's rededication with a similar level of joy and festivity in the month of Chislev (when Hanukkah takes place), as they would have celebrated Sukkot.