We are all familiar with the famous question asked by the Bais Yosef in the beginning of the laws of Chanukah: If there was enough oil to last one day and subsequently it lasted eight days why do celebrate eight days instead of seven?

The Bais Yosef himself gives three answers: They divided the oil into eight parts and miraculously that little part burnt the whole night. Secondly, when they filled the Menorah they noticed that the pitcher remained full so each day was a miracle. The third answer he gives is that they used all of the oil on the first night and in the morning for the next eight days the Menorah remained full with oil.

Perhaps we can suggest a whole different approach which will shed light on the significance of the Hasmonean victory and why it is so important to celebrate Chanukah.

The Gemorah in Shabbas 21b quotes the famous disagreement between Bais Shamai and Bais Hillel. Bais Shamai holds that we light in descending order beginning with eight candles on the first night. Bais Hillel says we light in ascending order beginning with one on the first night. The Gemorah goes on to explain that Bais Shamai claims that the parallel to this, is the bulls of Succos whose number also descends on each day. What does the Yom Tov of Chanukah have to do with the Korbanos and the holiday of Succos ?

Perhaps we could answer both questions by understanding the nature of Chag HaSuccos and Chanukah. The Sfas Emes comments that both holidays are eight days and both require us to search after Hadar (the best way to perform the Mitzvah). The third thing is just like the victory was led by the kohanim, Succos reminds us of the Clouds of Glory that were in the merit of Aharon Hakohen. To take this a step further, Aharon was the one who lit the Menorah every day and as Rashi comments he never changed in attitude and how he performed the Mitzvah. Aharon taught us that when we do a Mitzvah, even if I did it yesterday, I can never feel that it is old fashion and that changes must be made.

In a very real way, this is what the battle of Chanukah was fought over. The new Hellenistic idea spread to the world like wild fire. Our community was not exempt from such infiltration. There were people who believed that the Torah was obsolete and a new culture was necessary. It is very interesting to note that among the evil decrees was the ban on celebrating Rosh Chodesh, performing Bris Milah and keeping Shabbos.

Why these three? The answer is because these three Mitzvos, more than any others, stood in the way of the Hellinist culture reigning supreme. Rosh Chodesh represents that eternal connection to the calendar and the Yomim Tovim, which are designed to bring us closer to Torah and Hakadosh Baruch Hu. Bris Milah is our link both to the past and the future. On the one hand it is to enter the Covenant of Avraham Avinu and on the other hand a Bris is a symbol of an unyielding commitment to building the future of Klal Yisrael as we proclaim that this child who is now small should grow to greatness. Finally, Shabbos as Chazal tell us is equal in weight to all the Mitzvos. A person who keeps Shabbos connects himself to the belief in creation as well as to the Exodus from Egypt. We are obligated each week to reflect on where we come from.

The Greeks felt that if they can stop the observance of these three essential Mitzvos the whole faith would collapse. It was against these forces the descendants of Aharon fought and were victorious. On a certain level the Clouds of Glory once again returned to the Jewish people.

Chanukah is a time of open miracles. The Maharal says that the number eight represents beyond the natural, the metaphysical world. Succos for seven days is about the natural world, the seventy bulls represent the nations of the world. But on the Eighth day there was only one bull, because Shmini Atzeres represents the Jewish people who stand Lmalah Min Hateveh, above that which is natural. This is the day where HaKadosh Baruch Hu asks us to stay and celebrate just one more day.

The Hasmoneans fought to keep and preserve that special relationship that we have with our Creator, a relationship that defies nature. This is the eternal message of Chanukah and explains why that the Gemorah says that all of the holidays mentioned in Megillas Taanis were done away with, except for Chanukah and Purim. The message of Chanukah is eternal.

To return to our original questions, the relationship to Succos and its sacrifices are more apparent. Chanukah is about preserving this idea of what the Clouds of Glory represented. On Chanukah it was clear to all just like in times of old, that G-d�s presence rests upon the Jewish people. The is also demonstrated by the pure olive oil. G-d�s presence is only felt when the Jewish people are unified under the banner of Torah and holiness can be found everywhere that Jewish people live.

Perhaps, based on this, we can give another answer to the Bais Yosef�s question. For us to truly understand the eternal message of Chanukah it had to be eight days. We are reminded that the Hellenists tried to make us like any other nation under the banner of Hellenism and our victory proved once again how we are different and are on a higher spiritual plane then the other nations can even begin to understand. This is symbolized by the number eight and eight days of Chanukah.