Dear John and all Doves,
      I am writing this about 3A.M. I have been researching Hanukkah and felt that there was some kind of insight to be found. It has finally arrived. The events of long ago happened from 168 to 165B.C. If we add 165 to 2007 we get 2172 years. If we add the numbers they add up to 12. If we add 3 and 72 we get 75. These are similar numbers to those of the articles recently posted by Virginia. According to some calenders, Hanukkah starts the evening of 12-4-2007. The midpoint day on the 8 days of celebration of The Festival of Lights would be 12-8-2007. In the story, is there olive oil to fill the lamps? Yes, because then as now it is the olive harvest time in Israel. Olives are such an important theme in the Scriptures. They are one of the 7 species of crops of Israel and the last to mature. We think of The Mount of Olives in the past and in the future. Marilyn Agee mentioned in her research that olives could be brought to the temple in Jerusalem as offerings up to and including the first day of Hanukkah. This is a season before us that is ablaze with light. Our Master is a kind of light being in His resurrection body. There are interesting links to follow if you type in the phrase hanukkah candles. www.torahclass.com has a good article about Hanukkah. Some designs of menorahs have a bowl shape if you imagine them without the base. It is similar to the design of an ark!  Also the center lamp is often  higher than the others in the design. It is called the servant lamp. More to come... Bless you each and all.

With Love and Shalom,
Jean Stepnoski