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Chanukkah The Jewish holiday of Chanukkah celebrates the victory of an army of poorly equipped Jewish freedom fighters — the Maccabees — over the mighty Greek army in 165 B.C.E. and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem for Jewish worship. 
Historical Background In 168 B.C.E., the Jewish population rebelled against Greek laws that kept them from practicing their religion. The worst thing the Greeks had done was to invade the Temple in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish worship, and dedicate it to Zeus, a Greek god. The Maccabees declared that the consecration of the Temple should be an eternal celebration that should last for eight days each year beginning on the 25th of Kislev. The historical record of Chanukkah is contained in the books of I Maccabees and II Maccabees. There were many miracles associated with the rededication of the Temple. One miracle was the fact that a small group of freedom fighters could defeat the mightiest army in the world. Another miracle was the rededication of the Temple for Jewish worship. A third miracle is based on a legend. The legend says that when the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, they needed oil to light the sacred seven-branched menorah which stood in the Temple. However, they only found enough pure oil to last for one day. Miraculously, this oil lasted for eight days until new oil could be prepared. There are many different Chanukkah customs and rituals. It is a universal custom for Jews to light a nine-branched "chanukkia" — a special candelabra for Chanukkah — each of the eight nights, adding a candle each night. Another custom is to eat foods cooked in oil, to commemorate the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days. Jews from Eastern European backgrounds eat potato pancakes, often with either sour cream or applesauce. Jews from the Middle East and Spanish-speaking countries eat donuts, often filled with jelly. The giving of money to charity is encouraged during Chanukah. It is also tradition to give gifts to children during the holiday. Today, many adults exchange gifts as well.
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