As we reflect on the origin of Hanukkah, we can better understand the Jewish response to the devastating Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre of Jews by terrorists in Australia. Opinion.
Judah Maccabee, his brothers and their band of the few miraculously defeated the large and mighty Seleucid Greek army of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and liberated Jerusalem and the Second Temple.
They then proceeded to rededicate the Temple, which had been occupied, despoiled and defiled by the Seleucids. When they sought to light the Menorah they had jerry-rigged to replace the golden one stolen by the Seleucids, they only found one hidden, small, untainted cruse of oil, still untouched and bearing the seal of the High Priest. It contained only enough oil to last one day, but miraculously the oil lasted eight days.
In the following year this eight day period, beginning on the 25th of Kislev, was established as an annual joyous holiday of gratitude, replete with the jubilant chanting of the Hallel prayer and the recitation of the Al HaNissim blessing of thanksgiving.