Hasmonean Victory and Hanukkah

What is Hanukkah? Our rabbis taught that on the twenty-fifth of Kislev [begin] the days of Hanukkah [lit., “dedication”], which are eight. One should not eulogize during them nor fast during them, because when the Greeks entered the Temple, they rendered all the oils that were in the Temple impure, but when the kingdom of the Hasmoneans grew and defeated [the Greeks], they checked and only found a single jug of oil that was sitting with the seal of the high priest. But there was only enough [oil] in it to light [a lamp] for one day. A miracle occurred with [the oil] and they lit [a lamp] from it [which lasted] for eight days. A year later, they established and made these holidays, with [the recitation of] Hallel [Psalms 113–118, traditionally recited on joyous occasions] and thanksgiving.

Translated by Matthew Goldstone.