The Story Of Hanukkah

 Today, at sundown, is the first night of Hanukkah.  Jews are fond of making celebrations of overcoming obstacles and The Festival of Lights is no exception.

A long time ago the land of Israel (at the time Syria) was ruled by a cruel tyrant named Antiochus (Auntie-Oh-Kiss).  

He wanted all the people of the land to worship him and his Greek gods. He outlawed Judaism and forbid Jews from studying Torah.   

Antiochus set up statues of his gods in the Jewish Temple.
The Jews were outraged- one Jew smashed an idol and declared "All who want to fight for G-d, follow me".  
His name was Mattathias and he and his five sons led the fight against Antiochus and his army. Judah, the strongest of his sons was nicknamed Maccabee- which means hammer.  Succeeding his father, Judah became the leader of the freedom fighter- who were known as the Maccabees.

After three years of fighting the Maccabees won and freed the city of Jerusalem.  They cleaned out the Temple and prepared to rededicate it.  

They needed pure oil to light the menorah and they only found enough oil to keep it lit for one day.  Then a miracle happened and the menorah stayed lit for eight days.

Thus we celebrate the Festival of Lights to commemorate our religious freedom and to celebrate the miracle of the light.  Each year, on the 25th of Kislev (which this year falls on Dec 1st) we light the menorah.
Here are some photos from last year of our menorahs:

 

Spike is a Jew too:

My mom made him a kippah- so sacrilegious and cute!

Let the eight crazy nights begin!
If you have not seen this video- grab a gin and tonica and get into Hanukkah.