FAQ: What Is Hanukkah?

Judas Maccabeus “liberated the Temple in 165 B.C. They immediately repaired the damage the pagans did to its sacred furnishings, destroyed and rebuilt its desecrated altar, and rededicated the Temple to the worship of God (Yahweh). A tradition emerged that they found only one container of olive oil not contaminated by the pagans, enough to burn for one day. However, the flame miraculously gave its light for eight days.” - Acton