The story of Chanukah
The story of Chanukah and what it means
The Maccabees, the Greeks, one small jar of oil and eight days of light. Here is what happened, why we celebrate for eight days, and what the name Chanukah means.
What happened
The story, from beginning to end
- The decree
In the time of the second Beit HaMikdash, the Land of Israel was ruled by the Seleucid Greek kingdom. King Antiochus IV wanted the Jews to give up the Torah. He banned Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and brit milah, and he defiled the Beit HaMikdash with idols.
- The stand at Modi’in
In the town of Modi’in, an elderly Kohen named Matityahu refused to bow to an idol. “Whoever is for Hashem, come to me!” he called, and he and his five sons went to the hills.
- The few against the many
Led by his son Yehudah, called the Maccabee, a small army of Jews who were faithful to the Torah fought the mighty Greek armies, and Hashem gave them victory.
- 25 Kislev
They came back to Jerusalem, cleaned the Beit HaMikdash and rededicated the Mizbe’ach. They wanted to light the Menorah, but the Greeks had made the oil impure. They found one small jar still sealed with the seal of the Kohen Gadol, enough for one day. It burned for eight days, until new pure oil was ready.
- The next year
The Sages established these eight days as a time of Hallel and thanks. The story is told in the Gemara, Shabbat 21b, and in the Al HaNissim prayer.
What Chanukah means
Dedication, light and the miracle
The name
Chanukah means dedication, the rededication of the Beit HaMikdash. Our Sages also read it as “chanu kaf-hei,” they rested on the 25th, the day the fighting ended.
Two miracles
Al HaNissim thanks Hashem for the victory of the few over the many. The menorah thanks Him for the oil. The battle saved our lives, and the oil showed that Hashem’s presence had returned.
Light against darkness
Greece did not want to destroy our bodies, but our souls and our Torah. We answer with light: a little more each night, at the door, facing the street, for everyone to see.
The famous question
Why is Chanukah eight days?
Because the oil burned for eight days. The Beit Yosef asked a famous question: there was enough oil for the first day, so the miracle was only seven days. Why eight?
Many answers have been given. Some say they split the oil into eight parts, and each night a little burned all night. Some say the first day celebrates the victory itself, or the miracle of finding the sealed jar at all. Many families discuss a different answer at the menorah each night.
For us today
Chanukah in our homes
We light the menorah, add Al HaNissim to our prayers and say Hallel. Children play dreidel, families eat foods fried in oil like sufganiyot and latkes, and many give Chanukah gelt. See how to light the menorah and the dreidel game.
Want to learn more? Bait Aaron offers classes for every level. See learn Judaism in Los Angeles.
Questions about the story
What is the story of Chanukah in short?
The Greek king Antiochus tried to make the Jews give up the Torah. The Maccabees, a small band led by Matityahu and his son Yehudah, defeated his armies and rededicated the Beit HaMikdash, where one day’s oil burned for eight days.
Why is Chanukah eight days?
Because the one jar of pure oil, enough for one day, burned for eight days, until new pure oil could be made.
What does the word Chanukah mean?
Chanukah means dedication, for the rededication of the Beit HaMikdash. It is also read as chanu kaf-hei, they rested on the 25th of Kislev.
Who were the Maccabees?
The family of Matityahu, a Kohen from Modi’in, and his sons, led by Yehudah HaMaccabi. They led the Jewish revolt against the Greek kingdom.
Where is the Chanukah story written?
In the Gemara, Shabbat 21b, in the Al HaNissim prayer, and in the Books of the Maccabees.
For the full story, see the sources below, or join a class at Bait Aaron.
Sources: Gemara Shabbat 21b · Al HaNissim
The Bait Aaron Chanukah guide
More for Chanukah
A question for the Rav, or want to join us for Chanukah at the shul? Contact Bait Aaron.
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