Hanukkah was established as a holiday for all generations by Judah the Hasmonean, (also known as Judah the Maccabee) and his colleagues to celebrate the purification and rededication of the Temple after releasing it from the rule of the Greeks in 164 BCE (some say it was 165 BCE).

During his reign over Judah, the Seleucid king, Antiochus IV enacted religious decrees on the Jews living there. Among others, the decrees included the prohibition from performing circumcision, from bringing sacrifices in the Temple, and from worship on the Sabbath. Unwilling to tolerate such decrees, the Hasmoneans (a family of priests) led the Jews in a successful uprising against the Greek rulers, defeating Lysias, the viceroy of Antiochus. The Hasmoneans then made their way to Jerusalem and captured it in 164/165 BCE. At that time, the Hellinists (Jewish sympathizers with the Greek rulers) were isolated in a small fort, and the Jews were able to reenter the Temple. They purified it (after it had been defiled by idol worship and the sacrifice of pigs) and remade the necessary vessels for service. The rededication, which began on the 25^th of Kislev, was celebrated for an eight-day period similar to the original dedication of King Solomon’s Temple, and also in commemoration of the 8-day Sukkot holiday which the Jews had been unable to celebrated due to the persecution of the Greeks.

The days of Hanukkah also celebrate the rekindling of the “Menorah” (7-branched candelabra) in the Temple. The story of the miracle of the oil appears in the Talmud (Shabbat 21:): When the Hasmoneans entered the Temple, they found that all of the kindling oil had been defiled except for one small closed vial. The amount of oil in that vial was enough to light for one day, but the oil burned for eight days, the amount of time to process new pure oil.

The main precept followed on Hanukkah is the lighting of Hanukkah candles. On the first night, one candle is lit and on each consecutive night, another candle is added until eight candles are lit on the eighth night. The time of lighting is anytime after sundown, though there are some who are stringent and light at the time of sunset. The candles must remain lit for at least one-half hour following nightfall. The candles are lit either at the entrance of one’s home or by a window in order to publicize the miracle. The lighting is accompanied by blessings and related songs.

Together with lighting the Hanukkah candles, and additional light is lit each night (called the “shamash”) – this is usually the candle set apart at a different height than the others or on the side. The “shamash” is used to kindle the other candles or as a source of light, for it is forbidden to use the Hanukkah lights for any purpose other than for looking at them.

Other precepts of Hanukkah include the recitation of the “Hallel” prayer in the morning service, and the addition of the “Al Hanisim” into the “Amida” and “Grace after Meals” prayers. These additions express the gratitude of the Jewish people for the deliverance from their enemies against terrible odds.

There are several customs that have also become an integral part of Hanukkah over the generations: One eats fried foods (such as “Sufganiyot” and potato pancakes) as a reminder of the miracle of the oil; children play with a spinning top called a “dreidel” or “sevivon”; and children receive money or gifts (a more recent custom) to encourage their education.

In the modern State of Israel, the Hanukkah holiday has taken on a nationalistic nature beyond its religious significance. As a result, the customs and laws have become a central part of celebrations even in the public sphere. For example, every year there is a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony at the Knesset under the auspices of the Knesset Speaker. All Knesset members and employees are invited to participate in the blessings, the songs and the general celebration. Similar ceremonies take place in most other public institutions bridging the gap between the ancient religious struggle and Israel’s current struggle for national survival.