Chanuka #2

There were Jewish people who did not adhere to King Antiochus's decrees which did not allow them to follow Hashem’s Torah. So they hid in caves and learned Torah there. 

A holy man named Rabbi Matisyahu had 5 sons who decided that although it wouldn’t be safe, they would be brave and stand up to the king. The sons encouraged all Jews strong and join them in chasing King Antiochus and his army out of Eretz Yisroel. They called their group the “Maccabees” which stands for "Mi Lahashem Ai-lie"- "Whoever is with Hashem, come with me." 

The Jews managed to form a small group of Macabees compared to the Greeks who got together an enormous and powerful army of men. Nevertheless, Hashem helped the Jewish people chase King Antiochus and his army out of their beloved land Eretz Yisroel.

After the Greeks were gone, the Jews made their first stop to the Beis Hamikdosh. What a sad sight beheld their eyes. Holy vessels were stolen and broken and oil pitchers were smashed. The holiest place on earth was a mess! The Macabees were super sad by the sight but didn’t give up. They quickly pulled themselves together and began to clean up. When they were done the Kohen Gadol came to light the Menorah but there was no kosher oil to be found. They needed a sealed pitcher of oil with the Kohen Gadol’s name signed onto it. 

Everyone searched for a closed pitcher until they finally and miraculously found one. It was a miracle because the Greeks nearly destroyed everything besides for a pitcher of oil. 

The Kohen Gadol lit the beautiful menorah for that day. Meanwhile everybody wondered what they would do during the next 7 days, until fresh and holy oil would reach them, because they needed to light the menorah each day till then. 

The next morning when they came back to the Beis Hamikdosh they could hardly believe their eyes as the oil was still burning in the Menorah. This scenario played out for 8 whole days. It was a miracle Hashem performed for the Jewish people that year. Lighting the menorah was an important part of the work in the Beis Hamikdosh. Hashem saw how much the Jews loved this mitzva and made this oil last for 8 whole days and nights instead of just one.