In the second century BCE, during the time of the Second Temple, the Syrian-Greek Empire, under the emperor Antiochus, began a systematic suppression of the Jewish religion. Numerous decrees were made forbidding, on pain of torture and death, important practices of Judaism, such as circumcision, and compelling the Jews to worship the Greek idols. In addition, the Greek forces massacred and enslaved thousands of Jews and plundered and defiled the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

The Jewish rebellion against this oppression began as a small revolt led by the Chashmonai (Hasmonean) family, the kohein (priest) Mattityahu and his five sons. When Mattityahu died he was succeeded by his son, Yehudah HaMakabee, Yehuda led the Jews to victory, driving the Greeks out of Jerusalem. The Jews were then able to clean the Temple and to resume the Temple service. This took place on the 25th of Kislev.

At this point the famous miracle of the lights took place. Part of the Temple service is the lighting of the menorah. This requires ritually pure olive oil. Due to the Greek desecration of the Temple, no such oil could be found except for one small container with enough oil to last for one day. Since it would take eight days to get the required new oil this was a serious problem. The Jews used this oil for the first day and it miraculously lasted for the full eight days till new oil was available.

The Jewish victory celebrated on Chanukah was primarily a religious victory, ending the suppression of Judaism. But the Jewish state continued to be under Greek political control to a large degree. (Ultimately, the Hasmoneans did succeed in attaining political independence for the Jewish nation, but this was a long process and was not completed until some time after the death of Yehuda HaMakabee.) The holiday of Chanukah is named after the rededication of the Holy Temple, Chanukah means dedication ceremony or inauguration.

The most well-known law of Chanukah is the requirement to light the menorah. This requirement is binding on all Jews, men and women. The reason women are required to keep this mitzvah is because of the story of Yehudit mentioned above. The standard custom is to light one candle on the first night, two the second night, three the third night, etc. until the eighth night when eight candles are lit. The standard custom is for every member of the household to light their own menorah. Care should be taken not to crowd the menorahs together so that each menorah can be seen separately.

The time for lighting the menorah is at nightfall, called tzeit hakochavim, when the stars come out. This is approximately an hour after sunset. Sufficient oil must be provided to burn for a half-hour after nightfall. The candles cannot be lit before one and a quarter proportional hours before nightfall (called plag hamincha). If one was unable to light at the proper time, he cans still light as long as the people in the house are awake. If they have already gone to sleep he must light without reciting the blessings.