Judas Recovers Jerusalem and Purifies the Temple.

Under the guidance of THE LORD, Maccabeus and his companions recovered the temple and the city, destroying the altars erected by the Gentiles in the public square and tearing down their sacred precincts. After they purified the sanctuary, they built another altar. Then, striking fire from flints, they offered sacrifice for the first time in two years, burning incense, lighting lamps, and setting out the bread of the Presence. When they had done this, they prostrated themselves and implored THE LORD never again to allow them to be afflicted with such misfortunes, and, were they ever to sin, to discipline them HIMSELF with moderation rather than hand them over to blasphemous and barbarous nations.

       The purification of the temple took place on the very same day on which the temple had been profaned by the Gentiles, that is, the twenty-fifth day of the same month Chislev. The celebration and rejoicing lasted for eight days, in the manner of the Feast of Booths, as they recalled how, only a short time before, during the Feast of Booths, they had been living like wild animals in the mountains and caves. And so, carrying wands entwined with ivy, and leafy branches and palm fronds, they offered hymns of thanksgiving to HIM whose guiding hand had enabled them to achieve the purification of HIS holy place. They also decreed by a public edict, ratified by vote, that the whole Jewish nation should observe these days every year.

2 MACCABEES: chapter 10, verses 1 - 8