Under Syrian Rule
 | The Chanukah story begins with the Syrian-Greek occupation of the Holy Land. At the start, Greek rule was fairly benign...
54 Comments Posted
Excellent page, excellent site. But the page didn't mention for whom the festival was named.
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i like the story its pretty kool and hope theres more.
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I was inspired once more to hear a more complete recounting of the story of the Maccabees. As a descendent, I am bolstered to remember a covenant that I feel is sacred; to know and trust that there is one G-d that unifies us all. Personally, I am moved to an even greater resolve to stand firm in my tradition/observance, while living in harmony with the traditions of those who surround me.
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I was pleased to read the story which answered some long standing questions. I am also grateful for the courage and faith our ancestors had in such bleak times....
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This is very insightful. I will be using this in a second grade class to teach the history of the holiday. Great
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Very good site. Congratulations, with the work of a great people here, anyone interested in reading the materials very well constructed, is to become more knowledged and wiser.
Thank you.
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Yehuda was killed so Elazar wanted to break the "Chukras", but the walls of the chukra were too high so he had an idea . He built higher walls from the Jews but he also didn't succeed. Shimon then was the leader and he managed to break the Chuakra and ruin it completely.
Yedidya is in the 3rd grade at the State Religious School in the Old City of Jerusalem
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I am a writer and this information is invaluable to me.
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I found this article very enlightening about the history of the Jews... I realize that this is a very concise review of an extensive period of time but is about a time I kown very little about. Thanks!
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Not enough about that small cruse of oil... the Macabees could have lit with defiled oil, so why were they so insistent on using only the oil from the Kohen Gadol, --which wasn't enough anyway... needs more explanation as this is the crux of the miracle.... that these "zealots" insisted on oil that didn't have the Greek touch...
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Excellent site! Teaches non-jews the history and meaning of chanuka. Being a christian I have sought to learn more about the religious tradition of my jewish brothers.
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The story was very detailed and informative and better than the others I had found. It's an unbiased account of the occurences of the time and I enjoyed it quite alot.
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Even though I am only in the first stages of conversion, this story has lifted my heart and help me to see that where Xmas is only a pagan festival, Chanakah is the celebration of the faith of a people. Thank you.
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i loved the story it helped me understand why people have this religion and i now some people make fun of it i know now not to make fun of it because after i read this i know now how and why the celabrate hanukkah
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this website rox my world..its my passion
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I'm so happy to see the history behind the Holy Days. The website in general is fantastic, graphically sound too but the message is something I really appreciate.
Thank You so much, -I love it!
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I found this story very disappointing and very interesting. Gold has a higher thermal conductivity than cheap metals. This affects the rate at which heat is dispersed from the oil to the menorah and from the menorah to the atmosphere. Also, the menorah of cheap metal may not have been the same dimensions as the golden one. I always assumed that oil found was enough to, without a miracle, last a day in the same menorah as the menorah is which it did last for eight. Now, I realize that there is no evidence of a miracle, just two different menorahs in which oil burns at different rates. When my Honda has only enough gas to last in a Humvee for one day, it may still last in my Honda for eight days, but that is not a miracle, just a smaller and more efficient engine and a lighter weight vehicle.
However, if everyone traded their gas-guzzlers for more fuel efficient cars so less oil was purchased from the Arab states and they had less money to spend fighting Israel, that might be.
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To whomever wrote "the page didn't mention for whom the festival was named":
It is not named for anyone. The word means "rededication".
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The Catholics still have First and Second Maccabees in the Jewish Scriptures of their Bibles. I knew I had read this somewhere. I will find it and read it to my participants on Decemeber 15th. Thank you so much for keeping this alive. We must all rememeber our Jewish heritage in faith.
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Excellent recounting! I attempt to research the details regarding this story each year, not only to reaffirm my own understanding of this holiday, but also to more accurately answer the inquiries of others. I don't think I've ever read a more comprehensive recounting.
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Even though I am only in the first stages of conversion, this story has lifted my heart and help me to see that where Xmas is only a pagan festival, Chanakah is the celebration of the faith of a people. Thank you. Dear Nicole,we must always be respectful of our varying religious views,since G-d listens to all holy (sinless) prayers.See 2 def's. of pagan below,which in the context you have ineptly written ,makes your sweeping conclusions imprecise, unbelievable and untrue too.Also Christ-mass is the correct title ,the abbrev.is derogatory.Thanks for your humble opinion, which will undoubtedly teach others much more, now that we have engaged in open robust dialogue, bringing us closer to Truth.amen.
2. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.
3. an irreligious or hedonistic person.
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I had thought that the oil was needed to keep the eternal flame alight above the holy Torah, but the history you have printed mentioned a menorah. When and where did the menorah enter the world of Judaism? I thought that it began with the 'first Chanukah.'
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I came to your web site to determine when Chanukah was to be celebrated this year so that I could give me granddaughter a Chanukah present: a pottery medallion of a minorah (sp?) I found at a pottery sale in Montreal.
I want her to know I'm proud of her for her interest in her traditional faith - the wellspring of mine.
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It isn't named after anyone, it means "dedication"
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To Judy Goldstein:
Menorahs with seven (7) arms predate the first Hanukah. The later practice of having eight (8) arms [plus one for the servant candle = 9] on a Hanukah menorah originated as a symbol of the eight days for which the oil lasted in the (seven-armed) menorah of the first Hanukah.
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This didn't explain what hannukah is about
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To Chabad- Thank you for not ignoring the reality that new ignorance is a given. People want less stress, not struggle, in their modern life. Who wishes to hear about ancient problems? FAct is, the Chanuksh story has never ended, Israel is today facing a "wipe it off the face of the earth" threat from a "secular" prime minister, still held to a higher standard then blamed when innocents die while she defends her boarders and citizens. This is no "old story." This is THE story. Than you forkeeping didligent in your promotion of Torah, of Morality, of individualism, of dedication, to Life !
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The most explicit explanation I have read. A pleasure to see those wonderful paitings.
I hope my friend, to whom I have sent cards will read all the stories.
Chanukah Sameach to who reads this.
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Meticulous , well-organized & articulated , filled with a manifold of actual live and past stories ,such stirring expositions influence even the most ardent Theologian student .Somehow with hindsight, we all are very similar in the flesh , yet you subtly urge us to read with Jewish eyes and search with a Jewish outlook...to even think as a fervent proselyte without realising it .That's supernatural POWER ! Both your qualitative and quantitative research stories ,guides,lessons , prayers,etc. make our screens educationally infinitely better than TV and the shallow secular movies .Truly commendable is your one-stop ( desktop computer guide ) holy shop : superbly aptly written : well crafted enlivening the past with the present : factual ,mystical and religious docs .With my humble endorsements and standing ovation : " You light up my souls fire ! " May your candle lights unceasingly brightly light up the dark corners of our minds , esp. with TORAH .
Happy Happy Channakah ! amen.
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I thought that the menorah was related to Hanukkah somehaw but it always existed in the templeit seems. What is it's meaning and origin and why did it have 9 candles?
Peace,
Suzy
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To Suzy Sandor:
First, the candle that is used to light the others does not count, so there are really only eight (that are lit by others).
Second, the original in the temple was oil burning, not candle burning, and it had two fewer burning flames than the current Hanukah menorah does (six that counted).
In answer to your question of why we now have nine total (eight that count), the increase from six to eight was because of the "miracle" that the oil that would have only been enough to last for one day in the original gold menorah lasted for eight days.
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What was the reason for the change from oil to candles?
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"It was sufficient to light only for one day. By a miracle of G-d, it continued to burn for eight days, till new oil was made available. That miracle proved that G-d had again taken His people under His protection. In memory of this, our sages appointed these eight days for annual thanksgiving and for lighting candles." Charity & benevolence starts & ends with G-d's Grace , for all of us . Incumbently ,do we respond unconditionally , and do for others that which He has done & does for us ?
AH ! Now that's the insightful & meaningful ( often overlooked ) rhetoric unveiled & dispensed . With greater purpose we can now search from deep (spiritually) within : with grace too , let's with CHESSED light up the unlit : shedding Light upon all in need ,esp.to be blessed & permanently alit ! Happy Channakah dearly beloveds...
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As I prepare to light the Menorah @ Mohonk Mountain House, for the Jewish guests,, I needed to brush up on the details of the Hannukah Miracle,,, so I could regale the guests with the Story & Wonderment of Hannukah.
This site is a Blessing to those of us who are ALWAYS LEARNING !!
Boruch Hashem !
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Thank you for keeping me focused and in touch with my heritage. I can always count on you to give me the information that I need so that I don't lose my way.
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Source of Life ,Whom sustains us from High above
The cruse of oil you set and lit ...miraculously apart
Kindling a bright flame whilst teaching moral purity with love
Sanctifying every obedient mind and heart.
For Thine sweet glory ,forevermore candles do glowingly burn
Delighted we gaze at an inextinguishable eight day holy blaze
Cometh the Messiah ,ending the Diaspora's long awaited return
Humbled and awed ,we beseech Thee with prayers and praise.
Happy Chanukah !!!
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the best way to light the menora still is olive oil. If not you can commemorate the miracle with any type of flame burning.
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If it is not such a miracle , but only natural for the oil to burn for 8 days in a "cheaper metal" menora, why didn't this miracle occur every eight days. Apparantly it was a miracle for that amount of oil.
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I had heard a watered down version from a Jewish friend. This story points out to me that by placing your trust in G-d, all things are possible. I glad i found the website and got to read the full account of Chanukah.
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America today, founded on Judeo-Christian values, has become decidedly Hellenistic. Not a day goes by without a story about Paris, Brittany, or Lindsay. The news/entertainment industry seems to think that outward beauty is all that matters. No problem that these "princesses" go to prison, take drugs, and expose themselves. When will we return to lives of morality and wholesomeness? Please do not think I am a prude, I just see a startling similarity - and, my own life could use some work!
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As a Gentile believer in the God of Israel and His coming Messiah, the story of Chanukah adds to the reason I love, respect and honour the Jewish people who laid down their lives to prtect the place of God's presence. Celebrating the Feast of Dedication or Lights has enriched my life.
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The article title implies that Jews won a war over Syria (of today);.
The victory was over the ancient Greeks. The Northern part, The Seleucid Dynasty.
The name Syria is irrelevant and missleading.
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Isn't the name Assyria? I assume this isn't the same as the modern country Syria. The history of the Maccabee campaign against Antiochus is very complicated. Antiochus was one of the generals of Alexander the Great (or a decendant of one) who was given Egypt as his kingdom after Alexander's death. The Romans expelled him from Egypt, so he seems to have taken out his frustration on the Jews of Jerusalem. I seem to remember that the Roman general Pompey the Great finally defeated Antiochus and ended the old Selecuid Empire (named after another of Alexander's generals).
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Assyria was known as Ashur in Hebrew, and it was located in much of what is now Iraq. It was the kingdom that conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and exiled the Ten Tribes in 722 BCE, centuries before the Chanukah story. The Assyrians were in turn conquered by the Chaldeans/Babylonians and ceased to exist as an independent empire. The Babylonians were themselves conquered by the Persians, who were conquered by the Greeks under Alexander the Great. This introduced Hellenism to the Middle East, planting the roots of the Jewish Hellenists in the Land of Israel. When Alexander died his empire was divided among his generals, who often fought amongst themselves - the Ptolemies in Egypt and the Seleucids in Syria - the same general region that includes today's modern Syria, parts of Iraq, and southeastern Turkey - for control of the region. The Seleucids were the dynasty that included Antiochus IV Epiphanes, persecutor of the Jews and villain of the Chanukah story.
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It kills me that the majority of people (Jews and Gentiles) don't know the real background of Hanukah. To most it is all about the eight days of light.
I've spent many years debunking the myths and misunderstandings of one of the holidays that best illlustrate the reason behind many of our holidays: They tried to kill us. We won. Let's eat!
Happy Chanukah all!
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As a Christian living in the 21st century I found it important to learn more about the history of the people that gave birth to the Christian Religion. Thankfully I found this site and have gained good information and understanding of Chanukah. Having lived in New York for many years, reared by a mother who enjoyed living and working with Jewish families as far back as the 1940s and having many Jewish friends and colleagues of my own I thank you for the opportunity youve provided in posting this wonderful information. Most Sincerely and Most Respectfully,
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Thank you for your factual religious, history and spiritual lessons, which indeed have the ability to unite us all as we reflect on the past and notice how many silly mistakes man has made, esp. the perennial biased persecution of the Jews. Who will hear & forgive the persecutors' guilty prayers???
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