Hanukah (also spelled Chanukah) -popular but not an original/commanded festival. Late Fall or winter.
9th Biblical month. Chanukah/ Hanukah, The Festival of Lights or Feast of Dedication.
This is not one of the original Biblical festivals. Chanukah celebrates the people returning to God culture and overcoming their oppressors, the Greeks. The temple was cleaned and the miracle menorah oil lasted 8 days until more oil could be made. Lit oil = Holy Spirit or presence of God. It is also seen as the Jewish version, the replacement for Christmas in terms of decorations and gift-giving.
It is an 8 branched Menorah (special candlestick holder). The regular temple menorah is a 7 branched Menorah, and its imagery is part of the New Testament, in Revelation 1-3. The Servant candle is the Savior in the midst/middle of the Menorah who lights all the rest. It's such beautiful imagery with the angels giving messages to each of the 7 churches.
Chanukah was mentioned in the New Testament, in John 10: 22
22 ¶ And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
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Purim, or the Fast of Esther. It's another popular but non-Pilgrimage holiday. Winter.
12th Biblical month. This is the story of Esther from the Old Testament and how the people's lives were saved. Jews like to wear Biblical costumes, and have noisemakers to drown out the enemy's name (Haman) when the Book of Esther is read. Treats are popular too. Esther was a courageous young woman who became queen to a gentile King. He was deceived by his evil advisor, Haman (who hated the Jews and was looking to get more power).
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