Hanukka

The Jewish Feast of the Dedication instituted by Judas Maccabaeligus his brothers and the whole congregation of Israel in 165 b c to commemorate the dedication of the new altar set up at the purification of the temple of Jerusalem to replace the altar which had been polluted by Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria 1 Maccabees i 58 iv 59 The feast which is mentioned in John x 22 is held for eight days beginning with the 25th day of Kislev corresponding to December and is celebrated everywhere chiefly as a festival of lights by the Jews