Taking Strength From Ancient Tradition

While lighting Chanukah candles, my thoughts wander to a time many years ago, in the village of Modi'in, where Matityahu, surrounded by his five sons, faced dozens, perhaps hundreds, of soldiers - and declared war on the Greek empire. Looking back on this event it seems crazy.  What was Matityahu thinking? That he could beat the great Greeks? That he could topple the entire empire? It was a hopeless war!