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The holiday season is upon us and with it comes the Festival of Lights, better known as Hanukkah. Folks around the country are lighting their menorahs, including here in Wyoming. Cooper McKim spoke with Seth Ward, University of Wyoming professor of religious studies, about the holiday s special meaning this year.
Seth Ward
Credit University of Wyoming
Seth Ward: Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days. According to the Jewish calendar, it usually occurs in very late November or in mid-December. The holiday celebrates the rededication of the temple in the times of the Maccabean revolt in approximately 167-264 BCE, and is largely celebrated by lighting the Hanukkah lights. And in fact, as time went on, the rabbi said that the main thing that was celebrated was a miracle associated with the oil. Oil that was supposed to last for only one day provided life for eight days. In addition, the festival celebrates, you might say, the independence of the Jewish state, back in those days