How Did It Start?
The Hasmoneans, a priestly family in rural Judea led a successful rebellion against Antiochus, the king of the Syrian Greeks between 169-166 BCE, securing Jewish religious and national sovereignty. The rebels’ military leader, Judah was nicknamed Maccabeus, “hammer.”
1 Maccabees 1
“After subduing Egypt, Antiochus returned in the one hundred forty-third year (169 BCE). He went up against Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force. He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the light, and all its utensils...Two years later the king sent to the cities of Judah a chief collector of tribute, and he came to Jerusalem with a large force...And the king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the towns of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land, to forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices….to profane sabbaths and festivals.”
An Eight Day Temple Celebration
1 Maccabees 4:52-59
“Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month of Kislev, in the one hundred forty-eighth year, they rose and offered sacrifice, as the law directs, on the new altar of the burnt offering that they had built. At the very season and on the very day that the Gentiles had profaned it, it was dedicated with songs and harps and lutes and cymbals… So they celebrated the dedication of the altar for eight days, and joyfully offered burnt offerings… Then Judah and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel determined that every year at that season the days of dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Kislev.”
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According to 1 Maccabees, what was the cause of celebration? How was it celebrated?
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If Chanukah means “dedication,” what was being dedicated or re-dedicated?
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Why does the celebration last eight days?
2 Maccabees 10:5-9
“It happened that on the same day on which the sanctuary had been profaned by the foreigners, the purification of the sanctuary took place, that is, on the twenty-fifth day of the same month, which was Kislev. They celebrated it for eight days with rejoicing, in the manner of the festival of booths, remembering how not long before, during the festival of booths, they had been wandering in the mountains and caves like wild animals. Therefore, carrying ivy-wreathed wands and beautiful branches and also fronds of palm, they offered hymns of thanksgiving to him who had given success to the purifying of his own holy place. They decreed by public edict, ratified by vote, that the whole nation of the Jews should observe these days every year.”
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According to 2 Maccabees, what was the cause of celebration? How was it celebrated?
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If Chanukah means “dedication,” what was being re-dedicated or re-dedicated?
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Why does the celebration last eight days?
Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 12.7 (95 CE)
“Now Judah celebrated the festival of the restoration of the sacrifices of the temple for eight days; and omitted no sort of pleasures thereon: but he feasted them upon very rich and splendid sacrifices; and he honored God, and delighted them, by hymns and psalms. Nay, they were so very glad at the revival of their customs, when after a long time of intermission, they unexpectedly had regained the freedom of their worship, that they made it a law for their posterity, that they should keep a festival, on account of the restoration of their temple worship, for eight days. And from that time to this we celebrate this festival, and call it Lights. I suppose the reason was, because this liberty beyond our hopes appeared to us; and that thence was the name given to that festival.”
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According to Josephus, what is Chanukah about? Why is it called a festival of lights? What seems to be missing here?
An Oily Miracle
Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 21b
מאי חנוכה?
Mai Chanukah? What is [the meaning of] Chanukah? For our Rabbis taught: On the twenty-fifth of Kislev [commence] the days of Chanukah, which are eight on which a lamentation for the dead and fasting are forbidden. For when the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all the oils therein, and when the Hasmonean dynasty prevailed against and defeated them, they made search and found only one cruse of oil which lay with the seal of the High Priest, but which contained sufficient for one day’s lighting only; yet a miracle was wrought therein and they lit [the lamp] therewith for eight days. The following year these [days] were appointed a Festival with [the recital of] Hallel and thanksgiving
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According to the rabbis, what is Chanukah? What is the same as in the above explanations and what is different? Why are they even asking the question?
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What do you make of the rabbinic telling here? Is there an innovation? Why do you think they did this? How does it impact the way the story is remembered and commemorated?
Sifra, Milu’im 1(9)
Then Moses took the anointing oil (Lev 8:10). Rabbi Judah says: The anointing oil that Moses made in the wilderness—miracles occurred with it from its beginning until its end. From its beginning: there was only twelve 8 log worth, as it says, a hin of olive oil (Exod 30:24). If [it were only] to anoint the planks, it would not be enough! Some the fire consumes, some the planks absorb, some the pot absorbs.
[And yet] Aaron and his sons were anointed from it all seven days of the dedication; high priests and kings were anointed with it; and even a high priest who is son of a high priest requires anointing…and all of it remains for the future to come, as it says This shall be for me holy anointing oil for all of your
generations (Exod 30:31).
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How does this midrash compare with the rabbinic telling of the Chanukah miracle?
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What common tropes about oil and dedication do you notice?
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How does this impact your understanding of the rabbis’ relationship with Chanukah as a religious event?
Was it Just About Fighting the Greeks?
1 Maccabees 1
“In those day certain renegades came out from Israel and misled many, saying, “Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles around us, for since we separated from them many disasters have come upon us.” This proposal pleased them, and some of the people eagerly went to the king, who authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil.”
2 Maccabees 4
“When Seleucus died and Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes, succeeded to the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias obtained the high priesthood by corruption, promising the king an interview three hundred sixty talents of silver...In addition to this he promised to pay one hundred fifty more if permission were given to establish by his authority a gymnasium and a body of youth for it, and to enroll the people of Jerusalem as citizens of Antioch….It is no light thing to show irreverence to the divine laws - a fact that later events will make clear.”
- What do these two texts add to the Chanukah story? Why do you think the rabbis leave it out in their version? Should we maintain an aspect of Jewish division in our own telling and observance of the holiday?