The Miracle of Hanukkah

The Fascinating History of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights

The nine candles are lit. Its Hanukkah! The Jewish family lights them one by one and one per day during eight days. We can see these glistening candles shining in Jewish dwellings every year at this time. This is the sign that Hanukkah is here, the mesmerizing Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication. However, many might wonder what Hanukkah means or what those candles represent. Well, there is a moving and fascinating history behind Hanukkah I want to tell you.

What is Behind Hanukkah?

Hanukkah, – known as the Festival of Lights, as well – means Dedication. People celebrate it every year for eight continuous days, from Kislev 25th to Tebet 2nd (November or December, according to the Western calendar).

It all started when the wicked king Antiochus from Syria pretended that the Jewish people worshiped and knelt before Greek gods, demonstrating that they would be assimilated into the culture. He acted the against the Jews’ most highly-regarded commands and traditions, such as the Brit Milah (or circumcision), the Sabbath and fasting laws. Moreover, Antiochus ordered the confiscation and burning of every Torah Scroll. Likewise, he sacrificed non-Kosher animals at the altar. He also established severe decrees, ordering the death penalty if a Jew was found transgressing the new laws. Thus, many Jews became part of Greece, intermarrying and adopting Greek customs.

But not for long!  The well-known Jewish figure, Judah Maccabee, led a small group of Jews and rebelled against the Syrian king and his people. They faced tens of thousands of Syrian troops determined to suppress the revolt.  But to no avail!  Even though the Syrian army far outnumbered the Jewish rebels, the Maccabees fought bravely and gained control of Jerusalem again. Unfortunately, the temple was destroyed after three years of conflict.

The Jews had a nearly impossible task to repair the damage of the temple.  But they prevailed and once they finished (on Kislev 25th) they needed to rededicate it to G-d. Here is when the miracle of Hanukkah took place.  After a great catastrophe, they could find only a small portion of olive oil to light the “Hanukiah” (Menorah) – the well-known nine-branched chandelier. It wasn’t enough to light the Hanukiah for more than one day.

And then the miracle occurred. Despite the lack of oil, the Maccabees lit the candles and were rewarded with a magnificent miracle because the Menorah kept burning. It burned for eight days, exactly the time required to produce more oil. This miracle was the evidence that G-d had always been with them and had never abandoned any of his children.

Let’s Celebrate It Forever!

The people, overwhelmingly grateful for what had happened, wanted to do something in order not to forget this day. Therefore, the wise men of Israel established it as the eight-day feast of gratitude called Hanukkah, where G-d enabled the Menorah to burn with little oil.

Since then, the Jewish people around the world have been celebrating the Feast of Dedication – the Festival of Lights – an inspiring and moving Jewish celebration full of joy!