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The Maccabean War of 165 BCE.
The Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) under Antiochus Epiphanes (2nd century BCE), at the instigation of the Hellenizers, had forbidden various Torah-practices such as Sabbath-observance and circumcision, rededicated the Temple to a Greek idol, and pressed the Jews to offer up sacrifices to the idol. One of the leading elder Jewish sages called upon the people to keep observing the Torah anyway; and if necessary, to use force in resisting the decrees. When a Hellenized Jew offered a sacrifice to the Greek idols in a nearby village, the sage killed him as well as the Greek overseer. This brought a violent reaction from the Greeks; and the loyal Jews, led by the Hasmonean family, were forced to retreat from their towns and strike out at the Greeks in an attempt to oust them from the Holy Land and to enable the people to once again observe the Torah. The Torah-Jews were heavily outnumbered by the attacking Greek armies, but God gave them miraculous victories again and again. After three years of struggle, the Greek armies retreated from Jerusalem, and the Hasmoneans (also called Maccabees) entered the Holy Temple which the Greeks had defiled, reconsecrated it to God, and began the Temple service once more. Among other things, they wanted to relight the olive oil candelabrum (Exodus ch. 25), but could only find one day's supply of undefiled oil - and it would take eight days to make and bring some more.
Miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for eight days (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), allowing enough time for new oil to be prepared and brought. The significance of the miracle is that it demonstrated that God's presence was still there. The Torah-community was overjoyed, because God's presence meant everything to them.
This is what Hanukkah represents: the closeness to God; and the avoidance of Hellenization (assimilation).
The Torah Sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah at that time (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), to publicize the miracle (Rashi commentary, ibid). This is why we light our Hanukkah-menorahs.
(The Hanukkah-menorah, or hanukkiyah, is a special form of the original seven-branched menorah. Our Hanukkah-menorahs have eight spaces for oil, or candles, to mark each of the eight days for which the oil lasted and a ninth to hold the shamash, a candle used to light the others.)
The Al-Hanisim prayer which we recite during Hanukkah centers around the Hasmoneans' victory and rededication of the Temple, while the candle-lighting commemorates the miracle of the oil.
Though the military victory is prominently mentioned in the prayers, it wouldn't have been celebrated if not for the miracle of the oil. It should also be noted that the main goal for which the Maccabees fought was not political independence. They fought to enable the people to observe the Torah's commandments; as we say in the Al Hanisim prayer: "the Greeks sought to cause us to forget Your Torah and leave Your statutes."
What else can I help you with?
The single most important event in Jewish history is their exodus from .?
From a historical perspective, the single most important event in Jewish history was the Babylonian Exile, but this, and the return from Exile, are not really an 'Exodus'.The story of the Exodus from Egypt was important in Jewish biblical tradition, but not in history. Nearly all scholars say there was no Exodus from Egypt as described in The Bible, so the Exodus could not be important in a normal historical sense.
In Jewish-Christian History when did Pentecost begin?
Pentecost is a Christian event that plays no role in Judaism.
The single most important event in Jewish history is their exodus from what?
Egypt. And you're wrong. The most important event was the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, not the Exodus.
Why is the Sinai covenant the most important event in Jewish history?
because it was when the entire nation of the Israelites met God for the first time.
The books of Ezra And Nehemiah describe what event in Jewish history?
The return of several tens of thousands of Jews from the Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple.
What is the event in Jewish history commemorated by pesach and its reference source?
The Exodus. Source: Exodus ch.12.
Where can I find online information about Chanukah 2012?
http://www.chabad.org/holidays/Chanukah/default_cdo/Jewish/Hanukkah.htm see to be a very interesting website with lots of information on the event. On the website there is information on how to set it up, how to make sure that it is correctly organized.
The candles of the menorah are lit to celebrate this event?
Chanukah
Who destroyed the Temple at Jerusalem?
The Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE during the First Jewish-Roman War. The Roman general Titus led the siege, which resulted in the temple's complete destruction. This event marked a significant turning point in Jewish history and led to the dispersion of the Jewish people. The destruction is commemorated annually by Jews on Tisha B'Av.
Why is Hanukkah celebrated in winter?
Chanukah, and all other Jewish holidays go by the Jewish calendar months. Chanukah takes place on the 25th of the month of Kislev, which coincides with our months of November or December. The holiday celebrates the re-dedication of the Temple, after it was destroyed by the Syrian-Greeks in the 2nd century BCE. That event occurred in the month of Kislev, which is why the holiday is celebrated when it is today.
The exodus from Egypt is this religion's most important event?
The exodus from Egypt is the most important event in Judaism. It marks the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and is central to Jewish identity and faith. This event is commemorated annually during Passover.
Why is Hanukkah only celebrated by Jewish people?
Only Jews celebrate Channukah because it is a Jewish holiday that commemorates an event in Jewish history.
What is one important event in Jewish history?
When God gave us the Torah.
What is the single most important event in jewish history?
The Giving of the Torah by God.
What particular event is commemorated on the french national day?
Parades
What is the most important event in the history of the Jewish people?
world war 2 (the holocaust).Jewish answer:The Giving of the Torah by God.
What event in Jewish history do you think is most formational or significant for Jewish religious practice today and Why?
The Giving of the Torah by God, because the Torah defines the Jewish religion.
