Chanukah: Its History, Observance, and Significance: A Presentation Based on Talmudic and Traditional Sources

Chanukak has been described in many ways. To the devout, it is the spiritual glow of the menorah and its flames. To the child, it is the dreidels, coins, and gifts. To the modern man it is a festival of freedom. But what is Chanukah - really? This book looks at the true Chanukah of Jewish history, tradition, and ritual. * When did it happen? How long did it take for the heroic Hasmonean brothers to subdue the Syrian-Greek tyrant Antiochus and his hordes? Does Chanukah celebrate a genuine military victory? * What is the spiritual significance of Chanukah? Why does the ritual commemorate the miracle of the lights and ignore the heroics of the Maccabees? * Who were the Maccabees? How did their diplomacy succeed where military prowess failed? How long did it take them to gain sovereignty over their own land and how many lived to see the victory? * What are the prayers, the laws, the rituals of Chanukah? How do the classic commentators explain them? No other book on Chanukah has ever succeeded so well in weaving so many of the festival's threads to form a tapestry of beauty, richness, and profundity. Combining the talents of three of the distinguished authors who have made ArtScroll synonymous with the finest in contemporary Judaica, this is the book for anyone who wants the answer to the ancient question, "What is Chanukah?" -- from book's back cover