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Holidays and Observances - What Event Does Hanukkah Commemorate?

What event does Hanukkah commemorate?

Hanukkah (pronounced HA-nuh-ka) is a Jewish festival called the Festival of Lights and is celebrated in December each year. This celebration commemorates the time when a small guerilla (surprise attacks) army of Jews defeated the Syrian king Antiochus IV (c. 215-164 B.C.), who had taken over Jerusalem and tried to destroy Judaism. Antiochus IV filled the Jewish temple with Syrian idols (statues or images of gods). After the Jews, led by Judas Maccabee, recaptured Jerusalem, they reclaimed their temple. When they wanted to light their holy lamps, they found only one vial of oil. That this small amount of oil kept the lamps burning for eight days was declared a miracle. During the eight days of Hanukkah (also spelled Hannuka or Chanukah), Jews light candles in a menorah (candle holder with places for nine candles), exchange small gifts, and make donations to the poor. The ninth...

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