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Religious Freedom
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Teaching about Chanukah
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A Short Historical Background of Chanukah
Chanukah symbolizes the value of religious freedom and the importance of respecting diverse religious faiths. In the year 168 BCE (Before the Common Era),
the Hellenistic Syrians, led by King Antiochus, tried to impose the Greek culture on the Jews of Syria by desecrating the Temple and by forbidding them to practice their faith. Judah, the Maccabee, and a small group of Jews fought the Syrian Army. After a three-year war, the Maccabees won and the Jews regained their political and religious freedom.
Introducing Students to Chanukah
A great place to start would be with the meaning behind the holiday: people fighting for what they believe against great odds. You might want to facilitate a discussion with the students, asking for ideas about other stories with the same message (a secular example might be the book The Little Engine that Could). This will open up the class to a more specific discussion of what this message means for Jews.
The Symbolism of Chanukah
Explain that once the Jews drove their enemies from the land, they had to burn oil in the temple menorah (candelabra) in order to keep the temple functioning. Only one day's supply of uncontaminated oil remained. Because the oil continued to burn for eight full days, Jews saw this as a miracle and, therefore, celebrate Chanukah by lighting candles on a menorah for eight nights.
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