In my childhood, Chanukah was a happy time: a new present every day, beautiful light emanating from the Chanukah candles, dreidel games, "nisslach" ('nuts' in Yiddish), good spirits all around. The Chanukah story was a simple tale of good-versus-evil in which we - the good guys - won. The Maccabees were called zealots and their brand of zealotry was applauded and rewarded, no question about it.
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