Chanukah (Copy)
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The Gemara asks: What is Hanukkah, and why are lights kindled on Hanukkah? The Gemara answers: The Sages taught in Megillat Ta’anit: On the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the days of Hanukkah are eight. One may not eulogize on them and one may not fast on them. What is the reason? When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary they defiled all the oils that were in the Sanctuary by touching them. And when the Hasmonean monarchy overcame them and emerged victorious over them, they searched and found only one cruse of oil that was placed with the seal of the High Priest, undisturbed by the Greeks. And there was sufficient oil there to light the candelabrum for only one day. A miracle occurred and they lit the candelabrum from it eight days. The next year the Sages instituted those days and made them holidays with recitation of hallel and special thanksgiving in prayer and blessings.
The Gemara asks: What is Hanukkah, and why are lights kindled on Hanukkah? The Gemara answers: The Sages taught in Megillat Ta’anit: On the twenty-fifth of Kislev, the days of Hanukkah are eight. One may not eulogize on them and one may not fast on them. What is the reason? When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary they defiled all the oils that were in the Sanctuary by touching them. And when the Hasmonean monarchy overcame them and emerged victorious over them, they searched and found only one cruse of oil that was placed with the seal of the High Priest, undisturbed by the Greeks. And there was sufficient oil there to light the candelabrum for only one day. A miracle occurred and they lit the candelabrum from it eight days. The next year the Sages instituted those days and made them holidays with recitation of hallel and special thanksgiving in prayer and blessings.
Text B
The generals of Antiochus's armies having been defeated so often, Judah Maccabee assembled the people and told them that after the many victories which God had given them they ought to go up to Jerusalem and purify the Temple and offer the appointed sacrifices.
But when he with the whole multitude came to Jerusalem and found he Temple deserted, its gates burned down, and plants growing in the Temple of their own accord because of the desolation, he and those with him began to lament in their distress at the sight of the Temple.
So he chose some of his soldiers and gave them an order to fight the men that guarded the upper city until he has purified the Temple. When therefore he he had carefully purged it he brought in new vessels -- the menorah, the table and the incense altar, which were made of gold, and hung up the veils at the doors and restored the doors themselves. He also took down the altar and built a new one of stones that he gathered together, and such as had not been hewn with iron tools.
And on the twenty-fifth day of the month Kislev, which the Macedonians call Apellaios, they lighted the lights [phôta] that were on the menorah, and offered incense upon the altar, and laid the loaves upon the table, and offered whole burnt offerings upon the new altar.
As it happened, these things took place on the very same day on which, three years before, the divine worship had been reduced to an impure and profane form of worship; for the Temple had remained desolate for three years after being made so by Antiochus...And the desolation of the Temple came about in accordance with the prophecy of Daniel, which had been made four hundred and eight years before; for he had revealed that the Macedonians would destroy it.
And so Judah and his fellow citizens celebrated the festival of the restoration of the sacrifices of the Temple for eight days, and omitted no sort of pleasure, but everyone feasted upon very rich and splendid sacrifices; and they honoured God, and delighted themselves with psalms of praise and the playing of harps. Indeed, they were so very glad at the revival of their customs and, after so long a time, having unexpectedly regained their right to worship, that they made it a law for their posterity that they should keep a festival celebrating the restoration of their Temple worship for eight days. And from that time to this we celebrate this, which we call the Festival of Lights [phôta], because, I imagine, beyond our hopes this right was brought to light [phanênai], and so this name was placed on the festival.
The generals of Antiochus's armies having been defeated so often, Judah Maccabee assembled the people and told them that after the many victories which God had given them they ought to go up to Jerusalem and purify the Temple and offer the appointed sacrifices.
But when he with the whole multitude came to Jerusalem and found he Temple deserted, its gates burned down, and plants growing in the Temple of their own accord because of the desolation, he and those with him began to lament in their distress at the sight of the Temple.
So he chose some of his soldiers and gave them an order to fight the men that guarded the upper city until he has purified the Temple. When therefore he he had carefully purged it he brought in new vessels -- the menorah, the table and the incense altar, which were made of gold, and hung up the veils at the doors and restored the doors themselves. He also took down the altar and built a new one of stones that he gathered together, and such as had not been hewn with iron tools.
And on the twenty-fifth day of the month Kislev, which the Macedonians call Apellaios, they lighted the lights [phôta] that were on the menorah, and offered incense upon the altar, and laid the loaves upon the table, and offered whole burnt offerings upon the new altar.
As it happened, these things took place on the very same day on which, three years before, the divine worship had been reduced to an impure and profane form of worship; for the Temple had remained desolate for three years after being made so by Antiochus...And the desolation of the Temple came about in accordance with the prophecy of Daniel, which had been made four hundred and eight years before; for he had revealed that the Macedonians would destroy it.
And so Judah and his fellow citizens celebrated the festival of the restoration of the sacrifices of the Temple for eight days, and omitted no sort of pleasure, but everyone feasted upon very rich and splendid sacrifices; and they honoured God, and delighted themselves with psalms of praise and the playing of harps. Indeed, they were so very glad at the revival of their customs and, after so long a time, having unexpectedly regained their right to worship, that they made it a law for their posterity that they should keep a festival celebrating the restoration of their Temple worship for eight days. And from that time to this we celebrate this, which we call the Festival of Lights [phôta], because, I imagine, beyond our hopes this right was brought to light [phanênai], and so this name was placed on the festival.
Text C
(41) Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the fortress, until he had cleansed the sanctuary.
(42) So he chose priests of blameless conversation, such as had pleasure in the law: Who cleansed the sanctuary, and bare out the defiled stones into an unclean place.
(43) And when as they consulted what to do with the altar of burnt offerings, which was profaned;
(44) They thought it best to pull it down, lest it should be a reproach to them, because the heathen had defiled it: wherefore they pulled it down,
(45) And laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a convenient place, until there should come a prophet to shew what should be done with them.
(46) Then they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar according to the former;
(47) And made up the sanctuary, and the things that were within the temple, and hallowed the courts.
(48) They made also new holy vessels, and into the temple they brought the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings, and of incense, and the table.
(49) And upon the altar they burned incense, and the lamps that were upon the candlestick they lighted, that they might give light in the temple.
(50) Furthermore they set the loaves upon the table, and spread out the veils, and finished all the works which they had begun to make.
(51) Now on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and eighth year, they rose up betimes in the morning, And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made.
(52) Look, at what time and what day the heathen had profaned it, even in that was it dedicated with songs, and citherns, and harps, and cymbals.
(53) Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success.
(54) And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise.
(55) They decked also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields; and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them.
(56) Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away.
(57) Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, with mirth and gladness.
(41) Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the fortress, until he had cleansed the sanctuary.
(42) So he chose priests of blameless conversation, such as had pleasure in the law: Who cleansed the sanctuary, and bare out the defiled stones into an unclean place.
(43) And when as they consulted what to do with the altar of burnt offerings, which was profaned;
(44) They thought it best to pull it down, lest it should be a reproach to them, because the heathen had defiled it: wherefore they pulled it down,
(45) And laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a convenient place, until there should come a prophet to shew what should be done with them.
(46) Then they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar according to the former;
(47) And made up the sanctuary, and the things that were within the temple, and hallowed the courts.
(48) They made also new holy vessels, and into the temple they brought the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings, and of incense, and the table.
(49) And upon the altar they burned incense, and the lamps that were upon the candlestick they lighted, that they might give light in the temple.
(50) Furthermore they set the loaves upon the table, and spread out the veils, and finished all the works which they had begun to make.
(51) Now on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and eighth year, they rose up betimes in the morning, And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made.
(52) Look, at what time and what day the heathen had profaned it, even in that was it dedicated with songs, and citherns, and harps, and cymbals.
(53) Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success.
(54) And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise.
(55) They decked also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields; and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them.
(56) Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away.
(57) Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, with mirth and gladness.
I Maccabees 2:1-7, 12-27 (NRSV)
In those days Mattathias, a priest, moved from Jerusalem and settled in Modi'in. He had five sons, Jon, Simon, Judah who was called Maccabee, Eleazar, and Jonathan. [Mattathias] saw the blasphemies being committed in Jerusalem, and said... "See, our holy place, our beauty, and our glory have been laid waste; the Greeks have profaned them. Why should we live any longer?” Then Mattathias and his sons tore their clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned greatly. The king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modi'in to make [Mattathias and his sons] offer sacrifice. The king’s officers spoke to Mattathias, saying: “You are a leader, honored and great in this town. Now, be the first to come and do what the king commands, as all the Greeks and those that are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be counted among the friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.” But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: “Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him, and have chosen to obey his commandments, every one of them abandoning the religion of their ancestors, I and my sons and my brothers will continue to live by the covenant of our ancestors. Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances. We will not obey the king’s words by turning aside from our religion.” When Mattathias had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the Greek altar in Modi'in, as the king had commanded. When Mattathias saw this, he burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. He was filled with righteous anger; he ran and killed the man on the altar. At the same time, Mattathias killed the king’s officer who was enforcing the sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. Thus Mattathias burned with zeal for the law... Then Mattathias cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come with me!” Then Mattathias and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the town.
In those days Mattathias, a priest, moved from Jerusalem and settled in Modi'in. He had five sons, Jon, Simon, Judah who was called Maccabee, Eleazar, and Jonathan. [Mattathias] saw the blasphemies being committed in Jerusalem, and said... "See, our holy place, our beauty, and our glory have been laid waste; the Greeks have profaned them. Why should we live any longer?” Then Mattathias and his sons tore their clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned greatly. The king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modi'in to make [Mattathias and his sons] offer sacrifice. The king’s officers spoke to Mattathias, saying: “You are a leader, honored and great in this town. Now, be the first to come and do what the king commands, as all the Greeks and those that are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be counted among the friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.” But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: “Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him, and have chosen to obey his commandments, every one of them abandoning the religion of their ancestors, I and my sons and my brothers will continue to live by the covenant of our ancestors. Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances. We will not obey the king’s words by turning aside from our religion.” When Mattathias had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the Greek altar in Modi'in, as the king had commanded. When Mattathias saw this, he burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. He was filled with righteous anger; he ran and killed the man on the altar. At the same time, Mattathias killed the king’s officer who was enforcing the sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. Thus Mattathias burned with zeal for the law... Then Mattathias cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come with me!” Then Mattathias and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the town.
I Maccabees 4:5-15 (Oxford Standard Revised Edition of the Bible)
Later, at daybreak, Judah appeared in the plain with three thousand men, but they did not have armor and swords such as they desired. They saw the camp of the Greeks, strong and fortified, with cavalry all around it; and these armies were trained in war. But Judah said to those who were with him, "Do not fear their numbers or be afraid when they charge. Remember how our ancestors were saved at the Red Sea, when Pharaoh with his forces pursued them. And now, let us cry to Heaven, to see whether God will favor us and remember the covenant with our ancestors, and crush this army before us today. Then all the Greeks will know that there is One who redeems and saves Israel!" When the Greeks looked up and saw them coming against them, they went out from their camp to battle. Then the men with Judah blew their trumpets and engaged in battle. The Greeks were crushed, and fled into the plain, and all those in the rear fell by the sword. The Maccabees pursued them to Gazara, and to the plains of Idumea, and to Azotus and Yavneh; and three thousand of the the Greeks fell.
Later, at daybreak, Judah appeared in the plain with three thousand men, but they did not have armor and swords such as they desired. They saw the camp of the Greeks, strong and fortified, with cavalry all around it; and these armies were trained in war. But Judah said to those who were with him, "Do not fear their numbers or be afraid when they charge. Remember how our ancestors were saved at the Red Sea, when Pharaoh with his forces pursued them. And now, let us cry to Heaven, to see whether God will favor us and remember the covenant with our ancestors, and crush this army before us today. Then all the Greeks will know that there is One who redeems and saves Israel!" When the Greeks looked up and saw them coming against them, they went out from their camp to battle. Then the men with Judah blew their trumpets and engaged in battle. The Greeks were crushed, and fled into the plain, and all those in the rear fell by the sword. The Maccabees pursued them to Gazara, and to the plains of Idumea, and to Azotus and Yavneh; and three thousand of the the Greeks fell.