ALL PRAISES TO THE MOST HIGH GOD! We pray your Feast of Dedication
was a memorable one this year, As always we reflect on the History of our
forefathers Mattathias and his five sons commonly known as Maccabees during the
Greek Captivity of the Israelites. Let’s shine the spotlight on all Israelites
that suffered and endured much torture, misery, persecution and turmoil for the
Keeping of the Commandments!
Action
Mattathias spoke for all Israel when “He said, Woe
is me! wherefore was I born to see this misery of my people, and of the holy
city, and to dwell there, when it was delivered into the hand of the enemy, and
the sanctuary into the hand of strangers?” – 1 Maccabees 2:7.
It’s safe to say
this cry has rippled throughout the countless generations of the children of Israel even
to this day! We must never forget the upbraiding of
communities, villages, the ransacking of towns and destruction of cities all of
these battles he and his sons faced for the welfare of their people which was
won by the mighty HAND OF YHWH to the cleansing and dedication of the Temple.
Remember the women who on the eighth day circumcised their
sons as commanded keeping our customs knowing it may have resulted in death and
for some it did even for the infants.
Remember the Brethren who refused to fight on the Sabbath to
what ended in destruction to entire households.
Remember the Mother and her seven sons who were compelled to
taste pork but utterly refused unto death.
Remember the valiant Brother Eleazar also, surnamed Savaran, perceiving that one of the beasts, armed with royal harness, was higher than all the rest, and supposing that the king was upon him Put himself in jeopardy, to the end he might deliver his people, and get him a perpetual name Wherefore he ran upon him courageously through the midst of the battle, slaying on the right hand and on the left, so that they were divided from him on both sides. Which done, he crept under the elephant, and thrust him under, and slew him: whereupon the elephant fell down upon him, and there he died. -1 Maccabees 6:43-46
We leave you with this:
1 Maccabees 2:51
“Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting name.”
