The history of Hanukkah traces back to a military victory for the Jewish people over their enemies more than 2,000 years ago. The Jews defeated the Greek army in the Maccabean Revolt, making way for the Jewish people to also rededicate the temple in Jerusalem to God. 

The victory celebrated on “Hanukkah is twofold,” Rabbi Pinchas Taylor explains.

“On the one hand, it celebrates a military victory, but perhaps [the] even more important victory was this ideological victory, the spiritual victory of faith over nature, of the godly worldview over the Greek natural worldview,” says Taylor, an author and speaker, as well as faith leader.

In the aftermath of Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, the rabbi says, the message of Hanukkah is a powerful reminder that light does win over darkness. 

Taylor joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to detail the history of Hanukkah and explain the traditions of the holiday, including the meaning of the menorah. 

Listen to the podcast below: