About 2200 years ago Greek kings reigned over the land of Judea and the Jews living there.
One Greco-Syrian King, Antiochus Epiphanes, forbade the Jewish people from praying to their God,
practicing their customs, and studying the Torah. He forced them to worship Greek gods.
In response to this persecution, a group of resistance fighters known as the Maccabees
(organized by Judah Maccabee and his four brothers) fought against paganism and oppression.

Their steadfast faith in one God is one reason this military victory has been so celebrated by Jews.
In one battle, Judah's small army is intimidated by the size of the enemy army
and Judah tells them to have faith that God is on their side:
But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said unto Judah:
 "What? shall we be able, being a small company, to fight against so great and strong a multitude?"
 And Judah said:  "It is an easy thing for many to be shut up in the hands of a few,
and there is no difference in the sight of Heaven to save by many or by few;
for victory in battle standeth not in the multitude of an host, but strength is from Heaven.
They come unto us in fullness of insolence and lawlessness,
to destroy us and our wives and our children, for to spoil us; but we fight for our lives and our laws.
And He Himself will discomfort them before our face; but as for you, be yet not afraid of them."
(The First Book of Maccabees)
After three years of fighting, the Maccabees succeeded in driving the Greco-Syrians out of Judea.
Hanukkah proclaims the message of the prophet Zachariah: "Not by might, not by power, but by My spirit."

The Maccabees reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and cleared the Temple of all Greek symbols and statues.
They then rededicated it on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in 164 BC.
According to tradition, when the Maccabees entered the Holy Temple,
they discovered that the Greco-Syrians had defiled the oil which was used to Temple's menorah.
Only one vat of purified oil remained - enough for only one day.
It would take the Jews a week to process more purified oil. Then a miracle occurred.
The Maccabees lit the menorah and it burned for not one, but eight days, by which time the new, purified oil was ready.
This is why the Hanukkah Menorah has eight candles (not including the shamash candle used to light the others)
and now you know one of the reasons the Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days.

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