..... .,. can bring you the confirmation from God , in this case , through the miracle of oil . Over two thousand years ago , the Israelites were overpowered by the Greek King of Syria . One of the feats that this new leadership enforced was that the Jews bow down before King Antioch us ' statue that was erected in the town . However , under Jewish law , the Jews are prohibited from bowing before any false idols such as the King , and worship any of the Greek Gods . Therefore , despite the risk , a rebellion arose .

Inspired by Mattathias and led by his son , Judah , a small group of Jews called

Maccabees rebelled . The Maccabees did their best to protect the Jewish law and their sacred Jerusalem Temple . Successfully , they were able to drive out the Syrian army from Jerusalem , and the Jewish law prevailed . However , the Maccabees were not able to protect the Temple from destruction . With celebratory hearts , the Jews began reconstruction , and upon completion , the Temple was rededicated to God .

Back around 165 B . C . E ., symbolizing the eternal covenant between God and the Jewish people , the menorah , a candelabrum , was lit in the Temple during the rededication ceremony to represent the " eternal flame ." However , there was only enough olive oil to fuel the menorah for one night , and it would have taken eight days to make more oil . The legend of the miracle at Hanukkah says that the one day supply of oil burned for eight days and nights .

Hanukkah is celebrated in the home beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar . Our calendar , is set around the sun , however the Hebrew calendar is lunar , rather than solar . This makes Hanukkah fall on different dates each year , anywhere from November to early January on the standard calendar . There are eight days of Hanukkah corresponding to the legend of the miracle of the oil in the Temple in Jerusalem . Today , Hanukkah candles are

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