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It's Chanukah!

DECEMBER 15, 2006
Poster for Jewish Music and Heritage Festival
Eight crazy days, baby.

"What's that? Can't hear you... the music's too loud!"

In 167 BCE Mattathias, together with his sons Judah, Eleazar, Simon, and Jonathan, started a revolt against the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who since 175 BCE had attempted to eradicate Judaism. After Mattathias's death in 166 BCE, Judah assumed leadership of the revolt. Judah received a surname, Maccabee "the hammer", in recognition of his ferocity in battle. Judah routed a bigger Syrian army and victory opened up the road to Jerusalem, which Judah entered at the head of his army. He purified the defiled Temple of Jerusalem and on the 25th of Kislev (December 14, 164 BCE) restored the service in the Temple. The reconsecration of the Temple a permanent Jewish holiday, Hanukkah.
© 2024 David Goldin