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The rededication of the Temple.
Answer:The rededication of the Temple and the miracle of the oil.The Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) under Antiochus Epiphanes (2nd century BCE), at the instigation of the Hellenizers, had forbidden various Torah-practices in Judea, such as Sabbath-observance, and pressed the Jews to offer up idolatrous sacrifices. The Hasmoneans (a family of religious Jews) fought to retake the Holy Temple, which had been seized by the Seleucids, and to enable the people to once again observe the Torah.
When they reached the Temple grounds and prepared to light the oil lamps of the Temple's menorah (Exodus ch.25), they found only one day's supply of unsullied olive oil. 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 still dwelt in the Holy Temple. 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 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.
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?
What is the jewsish holiday celebrated in December?
Kwanzaa is a Jewish holiday celebrated in december.
How is the holiday of Hanukkah celebrated?
Its a Jewish holiday, celebrated by lighting the menorah and saying the appropriate blessings and prayers.
What holiday celebrated by Jewish Americans?
Yom Kippur
What Jewish holiday is celebrated to obtain there sins?
yomkipur.
What holiday is celebrated by Jewish Americans?
Yom Kippur
What holiday is celebrated with a seder?
PASSOVER is the Jewish holiday celebrated unanimously with a Seder, which is an organized prayer, social interaction, and meal. In the Mizrahi Jewish Communities, there is often also a seder for Rosh Hashanah.
What celebrates Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is the holiday. It's celebrated by Jewish people.
Who first celebrated?
As far as the first religious holiday that was celebrated, the most supported holiday is the Jewish Passover. However, the oldest holiday that was celebrated is New Years which is a celebration that begun around 4,000 years ago, celebrated by the ancient Babylonians.
What holiday what Jewish holiday is celebrated in December?
Hanukkah falls on the 25th of Kislev, which may coincide with November or December.
Which Jewish holiday is celebrated annually on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar?
Purim
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.
How is Jewish Christmas celebrated?
There is no such thing as "Jewish Christmas". As Jesus plays no role whatsoever in Judaism, there is no Jewish holiday celebrating his birth.
