Page 42 - Attractive Deception - The False Hope of the Hebrew Roots Movement

the Hanukiah, though they provide the explanation that the Hebrew word “Shamash” means
“attendant,” or “servant.” The Talmud instructs the Jewish believer to always set the “Shamash”
candle apart, either higher, or lower, than the other eight candles. Most typically, it is elevated over
the other candles.

In the previous chapter it was mentioned that there is a specific order given in the Talmud, specifying
how the candles on the Hanukiah are to be lit. This order is illustrated in the graphic above. The
Shamash candle must be lit first. It is used to light every other candle. Supposedly, this is the reason
for it being called Shamash, the attendant, or servant. This candle is the only one of the nine on the
Hanukiah to be given a name.

One might ask, “How can the Hanukiah be related to the worship of Saturn if the central candle is
named Shamash, and Shamash is the Babylonian name for the Sun and the deity it embodies?” On
the Roman calendar, Sol Invictus Dies Natalis followed the Saturnalia. Sol Invictus was the
celebration of the Birthday of the Unconquerable Sun (Which is the source of the Christian tradition
of celebrating the birth of the Son of God on the same day). If the Shamash candle is representative
of the Babylonian Sun-god, then we would have to logically conclude that Hanukkah is a solar
festival, not a Saturnian festival.

Among the Babylonians, the Sun and Saturn had a very intriguing relationship. The name the
Babylonians called Saturn by was Alap-Shamash, meaning “Star of the Sun.” It is interesting to note
that a great many Hanukkah Menorahs incorporate what is referred to as ‘the star of David’ in the
body of the candlestick. This six-pointed star is an ancient occult symbol relating to the worship of
Satan.