[dervish]

“and I KNEW its about ‘the oil’ and ‘celebrating the miracle of the lights’.”

Not really.

That is the part has become popularized and the ritual that symbolizes the holiday. But the essence of the holiday is the triumph of the Maccabees over the assimilated Hellenized Jews.

Without that Judaism would not have survived. And for Christians it means Christianity would not have been born.

[Condor51]

I knew about the Maccabees too.
I'm fairly sure I first heard about them in .. 'Catechism Classes' (not kidding). In our 2nd year (or 3rd?) we had an old Nun (veeeery old) who taught us about the 'Old Testament'. Like David and Goliath, etc.

She also warned us about all the Communists in Hollywood. And said to be careful watching 'Father Knows Best' ( I guess the writers were part of those outed by HUAC)