| More than two thousand years ago, King | | | | images of Greek Gods and forced Jews to |
| Antiochus, ruler of the Greek Empire, occupied | | | | worship them. The Jewish soldiers removed all of |
| the land of Israel. Antiochus commanded all Jews | | | | the Greek statues and now wished to light the |
| who lived in his territories to abandon their faith. | | | | holy menorah of the Temple that was known as |
| The oppressive verdict caused rivalry among the | | | | the Eternal Light. To their great misfortune, the |
| Jews who refused to abandon their faith and | | | | Maccabbees discovered that there was only a |
| worship Greek Gods. | | | | small jug of oil left for the menorah in the |
| Under the leadership of a small group, called the | | | | Temple, which was only enough for one day. To |
| Maccabees, a small yet fierce Jewish army was | | | | everyone's surprise, the small jug of oil kept the |
| determined to fight against their oppressors. | | | | Menorah lit for eight whole days. That was the |
| After three years of bloody battles, the | | | | second Hanukkah miracle. |
| outnumbered Jewish army defeated the many | | | | We commemorate this miracle of Hanukkah by |
| trained soldiers of the Greek Empire. That can be | | | | kindling the lights of the special 9-candle menorah |
| described as the first miracle of Hanukkah. | | | | for eight successive days. The menorah is widely |
| | | | known as Hanukkah menorah or Chanukiyah. |
| As described in the Talmud, after defeating the | | | | Jewish artists have turned this religious object into |
| Greeks, the Maccabees rededicated the Second | | | | work of art. Today, Hanukkah menorah is one of |
| Temple. During the Greek occupation, the soldiers | | | | the most popular Judaica items. |
| ruined all Jewish signs, filled the Temple with | | | | |