Dear Neighbor,
On Sunday at sundown, those of the Jewish faith throughout the world will begin their annual celebration of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah, known as the Festival of Lights, is the celebration and retelling of a wondrous miracle. The story begins around 200 BC in the land of Judea. After living peacefully and with freedoms to practice their religion for generations, the Jewish religion was outlawed by the ruling kingdom. To squash their defiance, soldiers descended upon Jerusalem, massacring thousands of people and desecrating the city’s holy Second Temple. In 168 B.C., documented as the Maccabean Revolt, the Jewish people revolted against this persecution and successfully expelled the monarchy from Judea.
In celebration, the reconstruction and rededication of the Second Temple took place. As the Torah (the teachings or laws of Judaism) dictates, a Ner Tamid (eternal flame) shall burn constantly in front of the Ark (a chamber that houses the Torah) in every Jewish synagogue. In ancient times, the Ner Tamid was fueled by untainted olive oil. The Ner Tamid was relit as part of the rededication of the Second Temple, but there was only one small flask of untainted olive oil available – enough to keep the eternal flame burning for just one day. Miraculously, the flame continued flickering for eight nights, allowing time to find a fresh supply of untainted olive oil.
Since then, the story of this miracle has been retold and celebrated during Hanukkah. The festivities include the lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah, a candelabra with nine branches. Each branch represents a day the Ner Tamid miraculously remained lit. An additional candle is used to light the others. The Menorah is lit for eight consecutive nights and followed with a sharing of food, singing, and exchanging of gifts with friends and loved ones.
Please join me and my fellow Committee Members, Deputy Member Julie DeLaurentis, Committeewoman Michelle Powell, and Committeemen Adam Wingate and John Williams in wishing our friends and neighbors of the Jewish faith, Happy Hanukkah.
Together for Harrison Township,
Lou Manzo
Your Mayor
