Read the story then click on the links below it to do the exercises.
THE STORY OF CHANUKAH
Long ago the Jewish people prayed to God in the holy Temple in Jerusalem. Each day they poured pure olive oil into the beautiful Temple menorah, and lit its seven lamps to honour God.
One day a new king, Antiochus, became ruler of Jerusalem.
“Jews shall not pray to their God,” he said, “They shall pray to my gods of stone, or they shall die!”
The cruel king sent his soldiers to Jerusalem. They locked the Jews’ Temple. Jews could no longer pray there, or light the golden menorah.
The Jews refused to pray to stone gods. They prayed to the one God in secret.
King Antiochus learned of this and was furious! He sent his army to crush the Jews.
But a brave man named Judah Maccabee led a small band of fighters to battle against the king’s soldiers. The Maccabees were greatly outnumbered, but they fought bravely. They chased the king’s soldiers out of the land. Judah Maccabee led the Jews back to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
Judah Maccabee searched for oil to light the Temple menorah again. He found only one jar of oil, enough for just one day. The Jews lit the menorah – and God made a miracle! The oil lasted for eight days, long enough to make more oil.
The Jews were joyful. They celebrated the miracle and praised God for helping them win a great victory over the cruel King Antiochus.
On Chanukah we celebrate Judah Maccabee’s victory and the miracle of the oil.
Light the candle, one more for each of the eight nights, until all eight candles are glowing.
Spin your dreidel! Play a dreidel game.
Tell the story of the first Chanukah.
Remember that long ago God made miracles in Jerusalem.
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