The word Hanuka means "dedication"—but what does dedication have to do with the eight-day holiday that Jews around the world celebrate at this time of year? The answer lies in an ancient story of armed rebellion and a struggle for religious freedom.
It was the second century BC, and as they had had to do so often, the Jewish people were fighting for their religious lives. The Greek Empire was going strong, forcing its culture and religion on its neighbors. King Antiochus IV had forbidden the practice of the Jewish religion and even made their Temple a shrine to the Greek gods. It was hard time in Jewish history.
For a while the Jewish just went along with the oppressive government. But they couldn't keep up this passive resistance forever. They needed to win their freedom. A rebel leader named Mattathias began a holy war against Antiochus. Although Mattathias didn't live to see the outcome, his sons took over the army. Calling themselves Maccabees, literally "hammers," the rebels battled their way to victory.
