FROM A DROP OF OIL CAME THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Display of Menorahs at the Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids.

Happy Hanukkah. Such a historic and beautiful time of year. 

It's the Jewish holiday that celebrates the Maccabees ( Jewish rebel army) victory over the Syrian government more than two thousand years ago. In order to assimilate into Greek culture, all Jews at that time were commanded to offer sacrifices to Greek gods, which was against the tenets of their religious Law. Thus, the war.  The Maccabees were rebel warriors who successfully revolted against the Greeks.

Fighting at that time was usually awfully bloody in hand-to-hand combat. Determined, the Maccabees won. 

So the victory resulted in the recapture and return of the Temple of Jerusalem to all Jewish people. Oil was necessary to make the victory official and to purify the sacred space. Yet oil was scarce. At that time, during the dedication of the temple a single cruet of oil was found uncontaminated. There was only enough oil only to burn for one day. Yet, it miraculously continued to burn for full eight days. That is how Hanukkah started --- so it's actually known as the eight-day Festival of Lights. 

The real miracle is that the Jews beat their enemy against all odds. 

Candles in a special Menorah are lit on each night of the festival. A Menorah has nine candle holders 8 candles represent the eight days of Celebration with the additional candle,  the same as those used to light the other candles also included.

The lighting of the candles is a reminder of the ancient victory over religious freedom. The Miracle of oil is frequently mentioned in both the Old and New Testament. 

Keep in mind that a great miracle happened thousands of years ago. For this particular holy time, Menorahs are special. This display at the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids shows menorahs in many different shapes and sizes to commemorate the Feast of Hanukkah.