| Chanukah |
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Early in the second century BC, a new king ascended to the throne of the Seleucid Empire: Antiochus Epiphanes. Under his rule, the Jewish people were persecuted and killed, Judaism as a religion was banned, and the Temple in Jerusalem was desecrated. One particular village priest, named Mattathias, and his five sons rebelled against attempts to force pagan sacrifices on the Jewish people. Mattathias’ son Judah eventually took control of the rebel forces and experienced stunning military success against the Seleucids; as a result, he became known as Maccabeus, which means “the Hammer.” Judah and his forces eventually prevailed and retook the Temple, which was cleansed and rededicated. One problem, however, quickly surfaced—there was only enough olive oil to light the menorah in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, this oil lasted for eight days, which was just enough time to prepare a new supply of oil. The festival of Chanukah celebrates this ancient miracle; over the course of eight days, Jewish families light a modified menorah, called a hanukkiah, which has eight branches instead of the usual six, to symbolize the eight days of the original miracle. Additional traditions include the eating of foods fried in oil, like doughnuts and potato pancakes, and playing with the dreidel, a four sided top. Bibliography |
