Remembering Hanukkah: A Story of Light, Courage, and Faith December 14 2025

Here in the Library Lady’s world, Hanukkah always comes as a special treat. Though not one of the high celebrations of the Jewish year, the story behind it makes it an important festival, especially for the young (of all ages).

An elderly woman, who came over to the United States to escape the Nazis on one of the last boats out of Germany, told me that in her household Hanukkah was very little noticed by her parents, but she remembers her father bringing an orange (a rare treat) for her to mark one of the nights of Hanukkah. Unusual and wonderful!

Recently, a class teacher in a Waldorf school told me of how important all the Jewish holidays were in his family, and he helped his class understand these festivals, celebrating them with reverence in the class. This teacher wrote a play called The Maccabees, which his class performed beautifully during Hanukkah.

The time of the tyrant Antiochus IV (second century BCE) was a traumatic one for the Jewish people, as their religious practices were violently suppressed and the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was desecrated, along with the sacred Torah.

The Maccabees, a priestly family of the Jewish people, led a successful rebellion against the forces of Antiochus and reclaimed Jerusalem as their rightful home. When Judah Maccabee, the most determined and courageous of the leaders, entered the desecrated temple after their success against Antiochus’s army, he was disheartened to find that there was only a very small amount of ritually pure oil available to relight the menorah—enough to last for one day only. The flame was lit again.

The problem was that it took eight days for the careful preparation of new oil fit for the menorah of the Temple. According to tradition, the small amount of oil burned far longer than expected, lasting until the new oil was ready.

The purified oil was then prepared and the flame burned continuously.

It’s a story worth remembering, as the eight candles are lit, one at a time, over the eight days of Hanukkah. The courage, endurance, and faith shown during this time are an inspiration for us all to hold fast to the spirit within each of us, opening ourselves for help from the cosmic forces that support us when we act as a bridge from heaven to earth.

With the reason for Hanukkah in mind as the days progress, we can wonder at the light in the darkest time of year, made strong by our joining in this celebration of light that burns forever—in strong hearts, and in our menorahs.

Yours in Light and Wonder,