Candles mark victory over persecution

Dec 8 2007 By Rabbi Yossi Jacobs

THIS week the Jewish community is celebrating the festival of Chanukah - the festival of lights.

Dating back over 2,000 years, the story of Chanukah commemorates the victory of religious freedom.

It was in the time when the land of Israel was part of the Syrian empire, under the rule of King Antiochus IV and life began to get tough for the Jewish people.

Jews were being forced to convert to Hellenism and the Greek way of life. With religious tradition and observance not allowed to be practised, Jews were being forced to convert.

After a battle of a small Jewish army called the Maccabees led by Judah Hamaccabee and his brothers, the Jews were victorious and religious freedom once again reigned.

At that time the temple stood in Jerusalem and its service could once again resume. Part of the daily service in the Temple was the lighting of the Menorah - candelabra by the high priest. This was done with pure olive oil which had been pressed by and bore the seal of the high priest himself.

When the Jews returned to their holy temple they found it in complete havoc, with everything having been tampered with.

Eager to begin straight away by lighting the Menorah, they looked to find bottles of oil with the seal of the high priest.

Only able to find one small jar with enough oil to last for one night, worry arose because it would take eight days for more oil to be produced.

A miracle occurred and this small jar of oil that should only have lasted for one day actually ended up lasting for eight days.

Hence we now celebrate this miracle today by joining with our families and communities and lighting the Menorah together each night for eight nights. In doing so we try to light up the darkness.

However, what remains unique is that the persecution was a religious and spiritual one not a physical one. The Greeks only wanted the Jews to convert not to be killed. Therefore our celebration is a spiritual one.

So as I light the candles this year in this multi-cultural city that I feel privileged to live in, I will look around at all the religions celebrating their own festivals at this time of year, each with their own decorations and I will thank God for giving us all the freedom to openly observe and enjoy our holidays and traditions.

www.SingersHill.com