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The 'Festival of
Dedication' also called 'The Festival of Lights' commemorates the
victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians in 165 B.C.E and the
re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem which had been defiled by
them. Each night of the festival an additional candle is lit until
on the last night, eight candles are burning. According to
tradition, when the Temple was re-captured, only one small vessel of
consecrated oil -- enough for just one day -- was found.
Miraculously, it sufficed for eight days until new oil could be
prepared and the festival was established for this length of time to
commemorate the miracle. |
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