What is the essence of the Hanukkah events long ago in the times of Antiochus Epiphanes IV of Syria and the Maccabee family? The Maccabees and others took back and reinstated Temple, Torah, Hebrew, Sacrifical System, Shabbats, Feasts of the Lord, Office of the High Priest, and the Levitical Priesthood for themselves and their children and grandchildren. Yet, THE FAR GREATER PURPOSE was TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE FIRST COMING OF THE MESSIAH OF ISRAEL! THE TORAH LIT WAY had to be reinstated for those of the Davidic line to come and for all of the House of Israel. The Messiah would have to be born into a family and culture steeped in Torah,  and Torah obedient. He needed to be perfectly righteous and sinless.
 
   So the ironic core meaning behind all the Hanukkah stories, of Temple dedication and resuming Torah commanded choices for living as necessary, was very much about the Deliverer, Messiah/Christ to come.
 
 
With Love and Shalom,
Jean