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Skies |
Bezalel Bar-Kochva questions Goldstein’s theory that intercalations could have been missed during the Maccabean war, and therefore places the date of the rededication in December 164. But we will find new support for Goldstein’s theory. He insists that the Maccabees were waiting for some kind of heavenly sign because of biblical precedents, (as we shall see later in this presentation). As none of the sources state that a miracle happened for the Maccabees to light their altar for them, Goldstein suggests that it was because no heavenly fire had appeared, that some of the sources do not refer to a "dedication" (Hebrew: Chanukkah) at all, but rather to a "purification" of the Temple. Unfortunately they didn't know that, in Talmud Yoma 21 b, the rabbis would later interpret Leviticus 1:7 to mean that an ordinary flame could kindle the fire on the altar! |