The 'Mighty Maccabees'

A few hundred ragtag, rabbinic Maccabees faced the might of Antiochus’ army 60,000 fighting men strong The Chanukah story we all know The rabbis delivered Greece a knockout blow Rededicated the Temple, and with a small cruise of oil lit the lamps of the Menorah, eight nights in all Yet in our prayers, not a single word about the military prowess of the ‘Mighty Maccabees’ We thank God, and God alone, for routing Greece Mattathias, the leader, and his sons, five indomitable priests we praise instead ~ but only for their spiritual feats ___________________________________________ The Talmud asks: 'What is Chanukah?' The above is (a much-condensed version of) the answer it gives. (Tractate 'Shabbos,' 21a - 23b)... Also found in the 'Abridged Book of Jewish Law, Laws of Chanukah, Solomon Gantzfried, (English version)