A Hanukkah Story & Updates

Shavei Tzyon | Return to Zion Congregation

Haifa, Israel

Shalom dear brothers and sisters in Messiah!

May blessings and mercy be upon you from Yeshua as well as God’s support for your loved ones! I thank you for your prayers and financial support for Return to Zion Congregation.

Here is a story about the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah). It is often understood as the victory of a small group over a larger force and as God coming to Israel’s aid as they confronted Antiochus and the Greek expansion. Indeed, victory in battle does not always depend on the number of warriors. In that situation the Lord helped defeat the power of Greeks (paganism), restoring both Israel’s independence and the ability to offer sacrifices in the Jerusalem Temple.

But few know the problematic nature of that story. 

According to the Torah, in ancient Israel there should be distinct roles of king, priest, judge, and prophet. If the balance among these roles was maintained, harmonious governance of the nation brought the fruits of a blessed life!

The issue was that the Maccabees’ descendants, according to genealogy were sons of Aaron and were supposed to maintain the priesthood in holiness. Yet they also seized the royal power in Israel, concentrating in their own hands the two offices of king and priest. 

This led to the weakening of Israel. It was eventually conquered by Rome and ruled by kings such as Herod, who were not Jews. Corruption among the priesthood spread extensively. 

Unfortunately, the balance of governance in Israel today has hardly changed. There are major tensions in Israel. Many from abroad may not see this, but people living in the country notice that disunity among the population grows year by year. The main cause is that those in pursuit of power increasingly attempt to usurp authority and dominate. I write this not to discourage, but to inspire you to pray – to intercede for Israel before the Creator!

Isaiah 62:6-7 says, “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest…”

Hanukkah was a great victory of God and rededication of the Holy Place. But the subsequent responsibility for governance rests upon the people – their conscience, their spirit, and their ability to perceive and stand in the truth.

This is a fitting lesson for all of us. At times, we experience God’s victory and the help of Heaven in our lives, yet afterwards we act unwisely and new troubles come. That is why the Scriptures instruct us to “seek wisdom from God; seek the fear of the Lord.”

My prayer for each of us is: “God, give us Your mercy, the fear of the Lord, and abundant wisdom to live and act according to Your will!”

Congregational Updates

We invite you to pray with us for the upcoming “Shivat Tzion (Returning to Zion) Exhibition – Exodus from the Babylonian Exile in the Times of Ezra and Nehemiah and Modern Shivat Tzion,” which we hope to open in our ministry center. We are busy organizing the exhibition, preparing the cafeteria, and other things.

Preparations are also underway for the next youth trip to Norway and the children’s activities for Passover. These events require much advance planning and attention to detail.

We continue to pray and invest in the next generation of leaders within our congregation and ministry. We ask for your support in prayer.

Please also pray for the home groups, as they continue to grow and serve.

May peace and blessings be upon all of you. We are faithfully lifting you up in our prayers.