Breaking the chains that bind… –
Dec. 22, 2019 – Battling addiction by reconnecting with Jewish culture The history behind the tradition goes back over 2,000 years, to when the Maccabees returned to Jerusalem to liberate it from Seleucid Greek rule and rededicate the Temple with a new altar and menorah in 139 BCE. The Maccabees only had enough oil to light the new menorah for one day, but according to tradition, it ended up burning for eight nights. Since then, a festival of lights has been celebrated every year to remember the occasion. Kosman said the story behind the celebration is one that can resonate with people battling addictions. “Hanukkah means rededication,” she said. “Those in recovery have to rededicate themselves every single morning that they wake up.”
