When Jewish fighters entered Jerusalem in 164 BCE, the Holy Temple was in ruins. Foreign soldiers had filled the Temple with Greek symbols and statues of pagan gods. The Jewish soldiers wanted to rededicate the Temple to their one God. 

They cleansed the Temple and lit the holy lamp or Menorah. The Jews could only find enough purified oil to keep the Menorah lit for one day. However, by a miracle, that purified oil lasted eight nights. This gave the Jews enough time to purify new oil and bring it to the Temple. Eight days of Hanukkah are celebrated in memory of the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days. 

The Temple was rededicated on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev in 164 BCE.

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~ Lisa Katz

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