The events of Chanukah took place in Jerusalem during 167-164 BCE at the site of the Second Temple, which was built when the Jewish people returned to their homeland after the exile to Babylon. The Second Temple was built to replace the First Temple, which was built by King Solomon in 960 BCE and destroyed by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar (Ne-bu-ka-ne-zer) in 586 BCE. 

At the time, the Temple site was considered the holiest place in Jerusalem, and with one outer wall still standing today, it remains a sacred site for Jewish people.

Jewish people have been forced into exile from their homeland a number of times. The Babylonian exile, which started with the destruction of the first temple and ended with their return and the construction of the second temple, wasn’t the first time the Jewish people had been forced to leave their lands - and it would not be the last. 

Even while living in their own lands, Jewish people were often subjected to conquerors and overlords from various empires, who attempted to subdue Jewish practice and faith. From Nebuchadnezzer of Babylon to Alexander the Great of Greece, Ptolemy I of Egypt, and Pompey of Rome, there have been many outside rulers. During the period that became the story of Chanukah, the land of the Levant was ruled by Antiochus (Anti-o-kus) IV Epiphanes of Syria. He was a member of the Seleucid (Syrian-Greek) Dynasty. 

The Maccabees are the heroes of the events that led to what became the festival of Chanukah. The word “Maccabee” means “Hammer.” This name was given to the leader of the Jewish revolutionaries, who fought for their religious freedom against the conquering Syrian king Antiochus IV. It became his family name and was passed down with his sons who also joined in the fight. 

At first, the new leader allowed Jews to live their lives, in the fashion of Alexander the Great But soon, the Seleucids began to impose Hellenistic ideologies on the Jews. They began to outlaw Jewish practice, customs, and traditions, and forced Jews to eat their non-kosher meats and bow to their Gods. The Jewish people had enough. Led by Judah Maccabee, they rose up and fought back. 

When retold as the story of Chanukah, it sounds as though it was a day-long battle, but this uprising took place over the course of three years, through which the Jewish people were oppressed and forced to convert and follow the laws and customs of their conquerors. When the Jewish people finally regained control of their temple, they found it desecrated - altars to other gods, such as Zeus, had been erected, and animal sacrifices of non-kosher animals, like pigs, had been performed there. 

The rededication, or Chanukah, of the temple was a process that would take years, but the top priority was to relight the Ner Tamid, or the eternal flame, that represents the constant presence of G-d. This lamp required pure olive oil as its fuel, and there was very little pure oil left. It would take eight days to make new oil, and it seemed there was only enough oil for one day. 

Still, they lit the lamp and got to work making new oil and restoring the temple. Miraculously, the lamp remained lit for the whole eight days that it took to make the new oil! This is why we celebrate Chanukah for 8 days, and why we light 8 candles.

Some Jewish holidays are biblical and carry the traditions and stories from ancient times.  Chanukah, while old, is an historic holiday and is the only Jewish holiday to commemorate a military victory. The Jewish Macabee army was greatly outnumbered, yet the fight to live freely as Jews in our own country, was too important to give up. Yehudah HaMacabee and his army eventually won the war and Jews were free to live as Jews. 

Because of the odds, the victory of the Jews over the Seleucids was also considered a miracle, and proof that the Jewish people were meant to live freely as Jews on their land. It is impossible to ignore the struggle to live freely as Jews on our land remains today. The threat to Jewish existence and the freedom to live freely as Jews, both in Israel and the Diaspora, has existed multiple times throughout history, and remains today.Thus making the celebration of Chanukah, a minor holiday, even more important.

Chanukah is considered  a festival celebrating liberation from oppression, freedom of worship, and finding light in the darkest of times.

Each night, for eight nights, Jews light a Chanukiah, a special Menorah (candelabra), to represent the miracle of the oil, as well as the ability to shine light during the darkest of times. One candle is added each night until on the 8th night the entire Chanukiah is full. The ninth candle, the shamash, or helper candle, is lit first each night, and used to light the other candles. Blessings are recited, two on each night and three on the first, while lighting, and then songs are sung.   

We also commemorate the miracle of the oil by eating foods cooked in oil, including Latkes (potato pancakes) and Sufganiyot (jambusters), to ensure sweetness in life. 

Jewish children play with the Dreidel, or spinning top, whose letters mark the miracle of Chanukah both in Israel and the Diaspora. Chanukah Gelt, translated as gold in Yiddish, but traditionally money is also given. 

In this unprecedented time, with increased antisemitism and hatred in the world, Israel’s war against Hamas, and its impact on such large parts of the Jewish, Israeli, and Palestinian populations, and many innocent civilians, we know it is even more important to shine light against darkness and hate. We also believe there would be no better time for a miracle, including bringing the 138 Israeli hostages remaining in Gaza home, and bringing an end to the violence and war, and peace to the region, once and for all. 

Chanukah is a minor Jewish holiday. Chanukah largely gained importance, and popularity, due to its close proximity to Christmas and the Jewish population’s desire to assimilate, while still retaining its Jewish identity. Jews also follow their own lunar calendar, so the exact dates of the holidays vary year to year.