GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – The eight-day Festival of Lights begins this evening and will continue until December 22.
The Jewish holiday has been celebrated for over 2,000 years, with traditions rooted in ancient history.
According to National Geographic, the tradition began in 175 B.C. when King Antiochus, whose ancient kingdom included Judea in present-day Israel, made it against the law for people who lived there to practice Judaism. When they refused, he ordered his troops to destroy the Temple of Jerusalem.
An ancient rebellion led to a miracle
The Jews rebelled against King Antiochus in a battle that lasted about three years. Around 164 B.C., the Jews defeated King Antiochus and his troops.
When they returned to their temple, they found only one jar of oil, enough to light the temple’s candles for one day. According to the holy text, the oil miraculously burned for eight days, which was enough time for them to find more oil for their sacred candles.
Modern celebrations honor ancient traditions
To celebrate Hanukkah, Jewish people light a candleholder called a menorah for eight nights. They celebrate their religion by spending time with family, reading holy scriptures, playing games like dreidel, eating traditional foods, and lighting the menorah each night.
The menorah holds nine candles – one for each night plus a candle called the shamash, which is used to light the other candles.
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