History of Hanukkah

As Hanukkah has often in the past coincided with finals week or the days leading up to it, we are lucky enough to have Hannukah land during UCSB’s winter break this year. This Hanukkah begins at sundown on the evening of December 25, 2024 and concludes on the evening of January 2, 2025 - spanning over 2 years in the Gregorian calendar due. The last year this happened was 2019. Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew lunar month of Kislev, and ends on the 2nd day of Tevet. 

When the land of Judea was under a Syrian-Greek occupation over 2,000 years ago, Syrian King Antiochus III allowed Jews their religious freedoms in their homeland. However his successor Seleucus IV oppressed the Jewish people and attempted to plunder the Second Temple in Jerusalem in order to pay money to the Romans, who had defeated his father. When his minister Helyodros entered the Temple, it was said that he turned pale then fainted - and did not attempt to enter again.

After Seleucus IV’s death, his brother Antiochus IV inherited the throne in 174 BCE. Antiochus suppressed Jewish laws and traditions, replaced the High Priest with his Hellenistic brother Joshua, and attempted to unify his empire by forcing Greek traditions upon the people of Judea. When Joshua was replaced by Menelaus, the former High Priest protested against the spread of Hellenist influence in the Temple, and Menelaus had him assassinated. When Antiochus IV was rumored to have been assassinated in a war against Egypt, people of Judea rebelled against Menelaus, who fled from Jerusalem.

Antiochus IV returned to Jerusalem from Egypt - alive and furious upon hearing the events that occured during his absence. He commanded his army to attack the Jews, killing thousands and enacting strict anti-Jewish laws. Antiochus was said to have commanded a 90 year old Rabbi to eat pork, and executed him when he declined. Syrians seeked out faithful Jews throughout Judea and put them to death, and those who were killed would be remembered as martyrs.

One important character instigated a turning point for the Jews during this period of heavy oppression. Mattityahu was an old priest who challenged a Syrian officer when asked to give sacrifices to the Greek gods through a newly built altar. Mattityahu killed a Hellenistic Jew when he went to offer sacrifice, killed and drove away Syrian men from his village, then destroyed the altar with support from his family and friends. Many Jews joined Mattityahu and his men in the hills of Judea, and this community of outlaws would carry out discreet attacks against their enemies and destroy Antiochus’s pagan altars.

According to legend, Mattitiyahu was said to appoint Judah as the “father of the Maccabees,” and the Maccabees would lead a rebellion against King Antiochus IV to retake Jerusalem. Though the Maccabees were largely outnumbered by the Syrian forces, they had several victories. Antiochus was said to have gathered an army of over 40,000 men for a second expedition who were also defeated by the Maccabees after a series of battles. The Maccabees were said to have entered the Second Temple and rid it of all the Syrian-placed pagan idols before purifying it. The Temple was rededicated on the 25th day of Kislev in 139 BCE. 

“Initial A with the Battle of the Maccabees” ca. 1360-70 (The Met Museum)

When the Maccabees rebuilt the altar and lit the Menorah, it is said that there was only a small amount of oil which would only burn for one day. However, the oil lasted for eight days, which was proof to the Maccabees that God had taken the Jewish people under his protection. 

In memory of the eight days in which the oil lasted, on Hannukah it is traditional to light eight candles - one per day - to symbolize the lighting of the candles after the Maccabees reclaimed the Second Temple. 

The Hasmoneans, descendants of the leaders of the Maccabees, ruled and governed Judea following the Maccabean revolt for around a century, until the kingdom was overthrown by the Romans in 37 BCE. Ancient artifacts and ruined architecture from this period have been recovered from Jerusalem and the surrounding lands.

Photo of Hasmonean Palace ruins (Chaim/Wikimedia Commons)

There has been much historical debate on the exact nature of the Maccabees. Medieval Christians looked to the story of the Maccabees as models for the early Christian Crusades. The account of the Maccabees varies in Christian texts compared to Jewish text, though their military success and return to the Second Temple has rightfully earned them a place in Jewish history and celebration. 

Traditional Hannukah food is connected to the story of the Maccabees. Latkes and Sufganiyot (among many others) are staples of Hannukah, and the oil which is used to make them are symbolic to the oil that was burned for the eight days following the reclaiming of the Temple. I wish everybody a very joyful Hannukah filled with family, friends, and relaxation!