The Miracle of Hanukkah

<h1>The Miracle of Hanukkah</h1>Author: <a title="Odelya Natan" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/odelya-natan/240716.htm">Odelya Natan</a> More than two thousand years ago, King Antiochus, ruler of the Greek Empire, occupied the land of Israel. Antiochus commanded all Jews who lived in his territories to abandon their faith. The oppressive verdict caused rivalry among the Jews who refused to abandon their  faith and worship Greek Gods. Under the leadership of a small group, called the Maccabees, a small yet fierce Jewish army was determined to fight against their oppressors.  After three years of bloody battles, the outnumbered Jewish army defeated the many trained soldiers of the Greek Empire. That can be described as the first miracle of Hanukkah. <a href="http://www.israeligifts.net/hanukkah_menorah_p/4300.htm" target="_self"><img src="http://www.canaan-online.com/images/Menorahs/400/TZ-449.jpg" alt="Hanukkah menorah by Tzuki Design" /></a> As described in the Talmud, after defeating the Greeks, the Maccabees rededicated the Second Temple. During the Greek occupation, the soldiers ruined all Jewish signs, filled the Temple with images of Greek Gods and forced Jews to worship them. The Jewish soldiers removed all of the Greek statues and now wished to light the holy menorah of the Temple that was known as the Eternal Light. To their great misfortune, the Maccabbees discovered that there was only a small jug of oil left for the menorah in the Temple, which was only enough for one day. To everyone's surprise, the small jug of oil kept the Menorah lit for eight whole days. That was the second Hanukkah miracle. We commemorate this miracle of Hanukkah  by kindling the lights of the special 9-candle menorah for eight successive days. The menorah is widely known as Hanukkah menorah or Chanukiyah. Jewish artists have turned this religious object into work of art. Today, Hanukkah menorah is one of the most popular Judaica items. There is a wide selection of Hanukkah menorahs on the web, from the simplest designs toAbout the Author: Odelya is a co-partner in JewishGifts1, an online store that specializes in handcrafted gifts and jewelry by contemporary Israeli designers. To see our exclusive collections go to <a href="http://www.israeligifts.net">Israeli gifts</a>
Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/the-miracle-of-hanukkah-1442756.html" title="The Miracle of Hanukkah">The Miracle of Hanukkah</a>

More than two thousand years ago, King Antiochus, ruler of the Greek Empire, occupied the land of Israel. Antiochus commanded all Jews who lived in his territories to abandon their faith. The oppressive verdict caused rivalry among the Jews who refused to abandon their faith and worship Greek Gods.

Under the leadership of a small group, called the Maccabees, a small yet fierce Jewish army was determined to fight against their oppressors. After three years of bloody battles, the outnumbered Jewish army defeated the many trained soldiers of the Greek Empire. That can be described as the first miracle of Hanukkah.

As described in the Talmud, after defeating the Greeks, the Maccabees rededicated the Second Temple. During the Greek occupation, the soldiers ruined all Jewish signs, filled the Temple with images of Greek Gods and forced Jews to worship them. The Jewish soldiers removed all of the Greek statues and now wished to light the holy menorah of the Temple that was known as the Eternal Light. To their great misfortune, the Maccabbees discovered that there was only a small jug of oil left for the menorah in the Temple, which was only enough for one day. To everyone's surprise, the small jug of oil kept the Menorah lit for eight whole days. That was the second Hanukkah miracle.

We commemorate this miracle of Hanukkah by kindling the lights of the special 9-candle menorah for eight successive days. The menorah is widely known as Hanukkah menorah or Chanukiyah.

Jewish artists have turned this religious object into work of art. Today, Hanukkah menorah is one of the most popular Judaica items. There is a wide selection of Hanukkah menorahs on the web, from the simplest designs to

Odelya is a co-partner in JewishGifts1, an online store that specializes in handcrafted gifts and jewelry by contemporary Israeli designers. To see our exclusive collections go to Israeli gifts

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Article Tags: Hanukkah, Hanukkah Menorah, Jewish Holidays, Hanukkah Miracle

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