Chanukah - 2nd Night The Chanukah story of the Maccabees is really intriguing. Under the rule of Antiochus, the Jews of Judea were ordered to give up their faith and their practices in the One True and Living G-d, and to begin to worship the Greek/pagan gods.
Some did as they were told, for fear they would be annihilated. Some Jewish women were raped, children mistreated and the Jewish faith disgraced. The temple was completely desecrated as images of pagan gods were thrust into it and sacrifices of unclean animals were made on the holy altar. Even amidst all the torment, some Jews simply refused to give in.
One particular individual stood his ground. His name was Judah Maccabee (the "Hammer"). Judah was the son of a Jewish priest, Mattathias the Hasmonean. As the many of the Jews were being "hellenized," he, his father and brothers, family and friends rallied together to keep the faith.
These who revolted headed for the mountains. Antiochus sent myriads of troops to defeat them. But in true guerrilla warfare, the Maccabees fought them off one by one for 3 years until, finally, they were able to regain the temple and re-dedicate it to it's proper purposes. Judah's cry is still remembered today: "If you are for G-d's law....follow me!"

Had it not been for the resistance of the Maccabees and those who so bravely followed them, our New Testament (B'rit Chadashah) would be void of many powerful stories...and who knows?...Maybe void of a Messiah at all.

Dreidel Scores (as of night #2):
Al = 1
Rachel = 1
GG = 0
Hava = always a winner! :o)