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Hi, Andrew —
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival
of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish
holiday commemorating the rededication
of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at
the time of the Maccabean Revolt
in the second century B.C.
Hanukkah is
observed for eight nights, starting
on the 25th day of Kislev according
to the Hebrew calendar, which may
occur at any time from late November
to late December in the Gregorian
calendar.
According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication
following the victory of the Maccabees
over the Seleucid Empire, there was
only enough consecrated olive oil
to fuel the eternal flame in the
Temple for one day. Miraculously,
the oil burned for eight days, which
was the length of time it took to
press, prepare and consecrate fresh
olive oil.
Because this miraculous event
took place under the Old Covenant,
it has no relevant meaning in the
New Covenant other than prefiguring
Christ and the New Covenant.
Hope this helps,
Mike
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