Hanukkah: symbolic lights burn against anti-Semitism

Echo opinion by Sue Winthrop published in the Daily Camera newspaper, in Colorado: Hanukkah: A gift of light to the world today.

Hanukkah 2021

Every year at about this time I think about the story of Hanukkah. Though considered a minor Jewish holiday, this year the story of Hanukkah seems to have greater significance. 

This historical event took place in the 2nd century BCE (Before Christian Era). At the time King Antiochus IV outlawed any Jewish practice and defiled the Jewish Temple. A small army of men that were Jewish, the Maccabees, rebelled against this religious persecution and regained control over the temple. The eternal flame in the temple seemed to only have enough oil to last for one day. Instead the eternal flame lasted for eight days, until more oil could be found. Therefore, the eight days of Hanukkah.

It seems to me, this year the story of Hanukkah signifies the survival of the Jewish People. As anti-Semitism and hate crimes are on the rise I think about what we can do as a nation. While our days are shorter and this is the darkest point of the winter, people all over the world are lighting the menorah. Bringing the gift of light into their homes. The lighting of the menorah seems to stand for hope, peace and change.

I hope that this year can be different. That our country will start to heal its wounds and come together. To quit the fighting amongst us over differences in our beliefs and the way we look. 

That leaders in Washington will start setting a better example.

That people in our nation will start thinking about others and put their selfish behavior behind. From Sue Winthrop in Longmont, Colorado