CHANUKAH FOOTNOTES
1 Beginning with the words, "The twenty-fifth of Kislev," and see the wording of the Megillah there. Also see Tractate Shabbat, 21b
2 See Megilat Ta'anit ibid.
3 Numbers 7:84
4 We find different explanations for the name 'Chanukah, such as they rested (literally: parked) on the twenty-fifth' etc., but these were said from an allegorical point of view. See the Psikta Rabbati chapter 2, which lists seven "Chanukahs" that were held in the Holy Temple, that is, the Chanukah of the altar. Among them is the inauguration conducted by the Chashmonean household. Additionally, the Maharsha, in his comments on the Talmud, Shabbat 21, writes that "it is called 'Chanukah' after the dedication of the altar." This is also the words of the ancient poet in the hymn "Maoz Tzur", who saw fit to begin the hymn with this content of the holiday: "Then I shall complete with a song of hymn, the dedication of the Altar."
5 'The Antiquities of the Jews ', Book 12: 7, and 5. Josephus Flavius adds: "And it seems to me that this name was given to the holiday, because the right to worship our God became
possible without our hope of realistically achieving it." It is puzzling that he did not connect the name with the lighting of the Menorah in the Temple. See an extensive discussion on this matter in The Mikdash Siddur by Rabbi Israel Ariel, volume 2, Chapter: 'Chanukah'.
6 The 25th of Kislev
7 In the words of Megillat Ta'anit, "With no obituaries on it."
8 Mishnah Middot 2:3
9 Mishnah Shekalim 6:1
10 Maimonides' commentary on the Mishnah Middot, 2:3; Mishnah Shekalim 6:3
11 Talmud Avodah Zara 52b
12 Mishnah Middot 1:5
13 Maimonides' commentary on the Mishnah Middot 1:6
14 Chashmoneans, chapter 1, section 4
15 Mishnah Middot 1:6
16 Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Daily Offerings and Additional Offerings 1:12; Mishnah Menachot 4:4 -
"The Outer Altar is not consecrated with any offering but the daily morning offering."
17 Chashmoneans I, chapter 1, section 23
18 Talmud Menachot 28b. It should be noted regarding the number of iron skewers, that there are sources of the Sages, in which it is said that they found seven skewers, and there are sources where it is written that they found eight. This topic is also discussed among later commentators. According to the version that they found eight rods, the eighth rod was used as a base to connect the seven rods into one structure of a Menorah. Because the commandment is to light lamps which are connected together as one Menorah, not lamps that are separate from each other.
19 Rashi's commentary, ibid.
20 See Mishnah Keilim 12:6 - That 'raw metal tools', that is, raw metallic material, means it is still in the process of being made and is not yet a finished product that may be used as a tool.
21Refer back to footnote 18
22 See 'Sefer Hachinuch' - commandment # 95, which writes regarding the commandment of tending to the lamps of the Menorah, that "a kohen who neglects to perform this action - canceled out the observance of this positive commandment
23 Look at Meiri's commentary on Talmud Shabbat 21b, Beginning with the words "and we will return to the matter." Also refer to the Beit Yosef, Orach Haim, section 670.
24 Beit Yosef, Orach Chaim, section 670
25 ibid.
26 ibid.
27 Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, The Laws of Chanukah 3:2. According to this opinion, the miracle was the fact that they found a jug of oil with the seal of the High Priest, and that they wisely rationed it out to last for eight days. Thus, being a naturally occurring miracle.
28 Rashi's commentary on Talmud Megillah 6b
29 See Talmud Menachot 28b
30 There it is written that the Chashmoneans disassembled the altar in the courtyard. See book "B'Orcha Nireh Or", the article by Rabbi Azariya Ariel "Questions and answers regarding the House of Chashmoneans"