T613, correct – they had enough oil for the 7 branched Menorah to last for a single day, but it lasted for 8 days. Thus, a flask which was supposed to fill 7 heads of the lamp filled 56 heads of the lamp. I am unsure when we historically started celebrating Chanukah, but I presume since it was to celebrate the miracle of winning the war, that it started the year immediately after the war was won – on the 25th of Kislev.
Menu