Events

The eight-day temple consecration is a joyful day of remembrance and does not belong to the biblically prescribed holidays. It commemorates the successful uprising of the Maccabees against Hellenistic rule and the reunification of the desecrated temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C.E. It is said that in the sanctuary desecrated by the Syrians only one intact oil jar was found, the contents of which would normally have been enough fuel for the seven-armed temple lamp only for one day. But by a miracle this small quantity of oil is said to have lasted for eight days, so that new pure oil could be produced in the meantime. Usually an eight-armed candlestick (menorah) is used today. On the first evening a light is lit, on the second two lights, until then on the eighth day all lights burn.