This document provides background information on the story of Chanukah. It describes how after Alexander the Great's death, his empire was divided and the land of Israel came under the rule of Antiochus III. Later, Antiochus forbade the practice of Judaism and desecrated the Temple. Matisyahu and his five sons led the Maccabees in revolt against the Greeks. On the 25th of Kislev, they reclaimed the Temple but found only one small jug of oil still sealed, which miraculously burned in the menorah for eight days until more oil could be made, leading to the eight day celebration of Chanukah.