OLD TESTAMENT 33
and ritually cleanse the building, replace the contami-
nated altar, and bring in fresh supplies. Their last task is to
light the sacred temple lamp, meant to burn eternally, but
which has been extinguished.
Combing through the wreckage, the priests are able
to locate only one undamaged flask of the special kosher
oil used to light the lamp. It is enough to burn for a single
day, and securing a fresh supply will take at least eight.
But when the priests kindle the wick, the oil inexplicably
burns for eight days. It is another miracle.
On the 25th day of the Hebrew month called Kislev, the
priests offer a sacrifice on the new altar. For eight days,
the people celebrate their victory over the Seleucids, their
freedom from oppression, and the rededication of their
temple. The festival will come to be known as Chanukah,
the Hebrew word for “dedicate.” ▪The king has outlawed the Sabbath
and Jewish sacrificial offerings. He has
ordered the burning of all Torahs and
condemned to death anyone found
possessing a copy.RECLAIMING JERUSALEM
Antiochus and the Maccabees
went to battle over a city, a reli-
gion, and a temple. Illustration
fromHistoire de L’Ancien et
du Nouveau Testament par
Royaumont (c. 1724).