Cisleu

Jer. xxxvi. 23.CISLEU, the ninth month in the Ecclesiastical year, and the third in the Civil or political year among the Hebrews. It answers pretty nearly to November. The seventh of Cisleu is a great Fast day with the Jews, in memory of Jehoiakin’s piercing the Book of Jeremiah’s Prophecies with a Penkife, and throwing them into the fire that was on the hearth. On the fifteenth of the same month, they afflict themselves before the Lord; because on that day Antiochus Epiphanes profaned the Temple of Jerusalem, and placed the 1 Mac. i. 57.Statue of Jupiter Olympius in it. On the twenty fifth of Cisleu Judas Maccabæus purified the Temple, and dedicated it 2 Macc. i. 18.anew: The memory whereof is religiously preserved; and in S. John, we see, that Jesus Christ was present at the Festival which was every year celebrated on this John x. 22.occasion. And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. It is said likewise, that on the thirteenth of this month, Nehemiah offered a solemn Sacrifice, and sprinkled the Victim with muddy water, which had been found in the place, where before the sacred fire had been hidden. A flame from Heaven by God’s appointment descended on the Altar, 2 Mac. i. 19, 20.and kindled a fire there.

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