Hanukkah history and traditions explained in a book page.

- Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates miracles.
- The story of Hanukkah begins more than 2,000 years ago when the Jewish people were living peacefully in Judea.
- A large kingdom called Syria was near Judea. At this time, they were forced to follow the Syrian religion.
- Two rulers, both named Antiochus, took power in Syria. The first decided that his laws could be more severe if all citizens shared the same culture and religion.
- Unfortunately for the Jewish people, they were not allowed to practice their own religion.
- Antiochus ordered many gods' statues everywhere, including the sacred Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
- The second Antiochus carried this even further, openly rejecting his army in Judea.
- The army overthrew the temple, killing those who resisted.
- The Jewish people were unprepared for this terror; they were farmers, not soldiers.
- Finally, a rebel band formed; it was led by a man named Mattathias Maccabee and his five sons.
- For three years, they fought against the stronger and better-equipped Syrian army.
- After Mattathias’s death, his son Judah took the rebels.
- Finally, they triumphed, which was a miracle.
- Hanukkah celebrates another miracle as well: When the Maccabees reached Jerusalem and the Temple, they found it looted.
- It had only enough oil for one day, but somehow it burned for eight days.
- Hanukkah also called the Festival of Lights, is a time to remember these special miracles.
- But today, it is also a time to celebrate the Jewish people's freedom and courage.
- They endured and triumphed over centuries of horrific persecution.
- Hanukkah means dedication and is observed for eight nights beginning on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev (in November or December).
- On each night, a candle is lit in a special menorah called a hanukkiah.
- By the end of the holiday, nine candles will be blazing in the menorah — one for each night plus the shamash, a “helper” candle that was used to light the others.