Hanukkah is the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its defilement by the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE. It's also known as the Festival of Lights and usually takes place in December, at the time of year when the days are shortest in the northern hemisphere. This year it starts on Sun., Dec 14 at sundown, when we light the first candle.
In 167 BCE, the Jews of Judea revolted against the oppression of King Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the Seleucid Empire. The military leader of the first phase of the revolt was Judah the Maccabee, the eldest son of the priest Mattityahu (Mattathias). In the autumn of 164, Judah and his followers captured the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been turned into a pagan shrine. They cleansed it and rededicated it to Israel’s G-d. This event was observed in an eight-day celebration, which was patterned like Sukkot, the autumn festival of huts.
Hanukkah Gifts
Much later rabbinic tradition focuses on Hanukkah and it's length and the miracle of the small amount of oil that burned for eight days. They didn't want to focus on a battle, but instead on the Festival of Lights.
Chanukah has become one of the most beloved of Jewish holidays. In an act of defiance against those in the past and in the present who would root out Jewish practice, the observance of Hanukkah has assumed a visible community aspect and public candle lighting. At such celebrations, Hanukkah songs are sung. Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates the liberation from oppression. It also provides a strong argument in favor of freedom of worship and religion.
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