History of Chanukah: The Festival of Lights

Today at sundown, November 28th, begins Chanukah. It is more commonly spelled Hanukkah; both are a transliteration of the Hebrew word חֲנֻכָּה‎ meaning “dedication.” This Jewish holiday traces its roots back more than 2,000 years.

Events Leading Up to Chanukah

At that time, the Jewish people were living under the oppressive government of the…