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Revision as of 15:43, 25 February 2002 by Conversion script (talk | contribs) (Automated conversion)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Jewish festival of lights, also spelled Hannukah, and Hanukkah. The first evening of this holiday (Erev Chanukah) is on the 24th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev.
The story of Chanukah is preserved in the books of the First and Second Maccabees. These books are not part of the Tanach (Hebrew Bible, Old Testament), but are part of the Apocrypha (Hebrew historical and religious material that was not codified as part of the Bible). The miracle of Chanukah is referred to in the Talmud, but not in the books of the Maccabees. This holiday marks the defeat of Assyrian forces who had tried to prevent Israel from practicing Judaism. Judah Maccabee and his brothers destroyed the overwhelming forces, and rededicated the Temple. The eight day festival is marked by the kindling of lights with a special Menorah, called a Chanukiah.
A legend recorded in the Talmud says that after the occupiers had been driven from the Temple, the Maccabees went in take down the pagan statues and restore the Temple. They discovered that most of the ritual items had been profaned. They sought ritually purified olive oil to light a Menorah to rededicate the Temple; however they found only enough oil for a single day. They lit this, and went about purifying new oil. Miraculously, that tiny amount of oil burned until new oil could be pressed, eight days. It is for this reason that Jews light a candle each night of the festival.
198 BCE Armies of the Seleucid King Antiochus III (Antiochus the Great) oust Ptolemy V from Judea and Samaria.
Chronology
180 BCE Antiochus IV (Epiphanes) ascends the Seleucid throne.
168 BCE Under the reign of Antiochus IV, the Temple is looted, Jews are massacred, and Judaism is outlawed.
167 Antiochus orders an altar to Zeus erected in the Temple. Mattathias, and his five sons John, Simon, Eleazar, Jonathan, and Judah lead a rebellion against Antiochus. Judah becomes known as Judah Maccabe (Judah The Hammer).
166 Mattathias dies, and Judah takes his place as leader. The Hasmonean Jewish Kingdom begins; It lasts until 63 BCE
165 The Jewish revolt against Syria is successful. The Temple is liberated and rededicated (Chanukah).
142 Establishment of the Second Jewish Commonwealth. The Syrians recognize Jewish autonomy. The Syrians have a formal overlordship, which the Hasmoneans acknowledged. This inaugurates a period of great geographical expansion, population growth, and religious, cultural and social development.
139 The Roman Senate recognizes Jewish autonomy.
130 Syrians, under Antiochus VII, besiege Jerusalem, but withdraw. 131 Antiochus VII dies. Israel throws off Syrian rule completely
96 An eight year civil war begins.
83 Consolidation of the Kingdom in territory east of the Jordan River.
63 The Hasmonean Jewish Kingdom comes to an end due to rivalry between the brothers Aristobulus II and Hyrcanus II, both of whom appeal to Rome to step in and settle the power struggle on their behalf. Rome moves in and takes control of the whole nation. Twelve thousand Jews are massacred as Romans enter Jerusalem. The Priests of the Temple are struck down at the Altar. Rome annexes Judea.
See also: Jewish holidays, Chanukah rituals