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Gift Guic e

338 B.C.E.

Philip of Macedon invaded the Greek
states and the Greek regime became part of
the Macedonian empire.
When Philip died, his son Alexander
assumed the throne.
Alexander the Great, as he was known,
conquered many countries, including Israel,
Syria and Egypt.
After Alexander died, his empire was
divided among his generals. General
Antigonus ruled Macedonia and Greece.
General Seleucus ruled Babylonia, Persia
and Syria, and General Ptolemy ruled Egypt
and Israel.

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199 B.C.E.

Chanukah
Timeline

Despite overwhelming odds,
the Maccabees prevailed.

The Seleucid dynasty that ruled Syria took
control of Israel. The Seleucids issued anti-
Jewish decrees forbidding the study of Torah
and Shabbat.

168 B.C.E.

Judah Maccabee let a small group of Jews
in a rebellion against the Syrian rulers. The
Jews refused to submit to new orders from
King Antiochus.

165 B.C.E

The Maccabees, led by Judah,
camped in the Judean hills and
outwitted the powerful Syrian-
Greek army. In the narrow pass
between Modiin and Jerusalem,
the Maccabees defeated the
Syrian-Greek army.

On the 25th of Kislev

The Maccabees reclaimed the Temple in
Jerusalem as a place of Jewish worship.
When they searched the Temple, they found
only one jug of oil to light the menorah.
Although there was only enough oil to burn
one day, the menorah flame lasted miracu-
lously for eight days. Today, Jews commem-
orate the holiday for eight days, and
Chanukah became known as the Festival of
Lights. Chanukah, the Hebrew word, means
dedication.

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2001