by Ray Cook

Created on: December 23, 2008

When the victorious Maccabees entered the desecrated Second Temple after their victory of national independence against the might of the Seleucid Greeks under Antiochus IV in the second century BCE, one of their first tasks was to relight the Ner Tamid, the Everlasting Light which burned continuously since the Temple was built. If you go into any synagogue today you will see a light over the Holy Ark in memory of the Temple light which indicates the importance of the Ner Tamid as visible sign of God's presence.

The temple priests looked round for unpolluted oil to burn but only discovered enough for a single day. In a land devastated by war, finding oil that was of a purity required in the Holy Temple was going to be a difficult task. But to the amazement of the Jews of Jerusalem the oil burned for a full eight days. A miracle was proclaimed, and ever since, for eight days, a chanukiah
(sometimes referred to as a menorah or festive candelabrum) is lit in commemoration of the national victory, the miracle and the rededication of the Second Temple.

Over the centuries the exact ritual for the lighting the Chanukah candles has been formulated. The chanukiah has nine branches, one for each day's candle and an extra candle known as the Shamash (guardian). For each day of the festival an extra candle is lit beginning with one candle placed on the right of the chanukiah on the first night and then increasing to the eight candles on the last day. The shamash is lit and blessing are made before the each daily candle is lit with the shamash starting with the left most candle and moving one by one to the right. As the candles are lit a festive song is sung celebrating God's miracle. The shamash is placed in its own holder and the ceremony continues with the singing of Ma'oz Tzur (Stronghold of Rock) which further commemorates the many miracles accorded the Jewish people, their festivals and their victory over the Greeks against all odds.

The tradition is to place the lighted candles in a window to illuminate the outside gloom and to cast God's light into the world. Traditionally the
chanukiah is placed in a window to remind passers-by of the significance of the festival.

Although the lights are the most visible sign of the festival the word "Chanukah" actually means "consecration" with the idea of rededication of the Temple and the rebuilding of Jewish life after the Greeks were defeated. The festive lights remind us of several miraculous events which took place at that time and throughout Jewish history. Not only did the oil burn for eight days but a small relatively weak people managed to defeat and regain independence from one of the world superpowers of the age. The Greeks had desecrated the Temple, prohibited and restricted much of Jewish religious life and practice. The
Maccabean revolt was the last time Jews successfully regained their independence until the 20th century. The lights remind us, then, of not just the single miracle of the oil but the miracle of the victory, and the defeat of despotism and even the miracle of the State of Israel which too was a minnow surrounded by overwhelming forces but gained and held on to its independence.

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