- By Marian Goe -
Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, will be celebrated for eight days, commencing at sundown of the 21st of December, to commemorate the victory of the Jews over the Hellenist Syrians in 165 BCE.
The most important observance associated with Hanukkah is the kindling of the Hanukkah lights on the Menorah, a seven or nine branch candelabrum.
The Menorah light symbolizes the light of religious, national and cultural freedom won by the Maccabees (the Judean heroes) who were making ready to rededicate the Temple and were unable to find enough undefiled oil to light the lamps. They finally came upon a small cruse of oil which, under normal circumstances, would have lasted only one evening. Miraculously, this small amount of oil kept the Temple lights burning, not for one night, but for all the eight nights, until new
oil fit for use in the temple could be obtained.
This defines the miracle of the dedication of the Temple.
As in past years, La Costa Glen will have the traditional Lighting of the Menorah both at Lakeside and the Fairways Clubhouses. Two beautiful Menorahs have been purchased for this service. Information of the time and place will be
announced later.