Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-18

OF Dedication 'NnoNu in lie
hrev a. 'IiamUhl.aa,. wiu occur
December -. Il & holiday Of
deep and iar-reavllin:. signiti-
canoe. The modern Jew CONNIE morates
III this midwiH;e- festival on- az the
most momentor" ;elio d. ana Victories
In all his or universal history.
The feast VII L., oLser-ed in all the
Jewish temples "f the city. At the
Eighth Street Temple tie children viii be
given their annual CIanukkah entertain
ment next SUNDAY q =: o'clock by the
Ladies' Auxiliary Sovi=ty Rev. Drs. Stern
and Simon will b- III ATTENDANCE. Gn the
preceding Friday DR. Simon Will deliver
an appropriate sermon.
The year l6s e. &. found the spiritual
forces of HeleniSm and liberalism in
sharp conflict. The Greek ciNiliza lion
followed AleXanders conquering army
into the orient. \ division OF his great
empire upon his death among his gen
erals brought Judea. after a few decades,
under the domination of Antiochus King
/ of Syria. Driven by the frenzied idea
that political UNITY WAS dependent upon
one religion and one language in his
dominions, the mad king proceeded TO
force Greek customs, gods. speech and
worship upon Judea. Spanish and Rus
sian persecution finds here is stupid and
suicidal prototype. The king failed to
count upon the valor and Resistance of
| his enemy. The gauntlet thrCwn
/ down. The iSS;Ia was drawn. The Jew
rushed to arms 1t was fight for exist
! ence. One for freedom worship God.
/ 1t was a fight. il is declared. CT Jov.
against Jehovah. of tne ~ nSuous ideal
/ of beauty against the prophetic righteous
ness, of polytneism against monotheism.
| The spiritual destinieS Of the world We're
| hanging i'll the balance. The Jew was
! fighting the battle for humanity, it is
averred.
A psalmist Of that age voiced the inn
mortal hope of the Jew in the sentence.
II shall not die. ont live to declare the
deeds of the Lord With the standard.
! bearing the battle cry. VINO is like unto
Thee, o God. among the mighty" Israel
gave battle. Army after army under the
Syrian Generals Appollonious, Heron,
Gorgias, LysiaS and Nicanor was defeat
world. After three years of desperate
| fighting the heroic Maccabees and their
intrepid leader. Judas. led their victorious
army into Jerusalem t165 Il. c.. indie
pendence was practically gained: heather
! affairs We're thrown down. the walls and
| fortresses were rebuilt. and the temple
rededica ted amid song and illumination TO
the worship of God. The twenty-ffth day
i OF Kisley was set aside for the annual
| feast of lights. and the yearly renewal of
devotion to Jehovah and of loyalty to the
cause OF Jewish freedom.
The quaint legend that Judas Maccabeus
| found but a few drops of sacred oil with
which to light the candelabra and that il
mira culousy burnt eight days conveys
the thrilling and inspiring message of the
| conquering power Of the consecrated few
who ara armed with justice. enthusiasm
and TalOr. Israel in history is the tiny
| cruise OF sacred oil.
| The celebration of this feast has no
! elaborate ritual in the synagogue or in
! the home. 1t has become q special chill
| drens feast Aside from the dramatic,
musical and edible treats which are the
/ inevitable accompanments of this eight
! day feast. the children are inspired with
the moral and religious responsibility to
continue the tradition and the practice of
kindlng the eight lights in their homes.
| 1t is upon them that the future task of
keeping a1ame the holy lights of free
dom, religion and patriotism devolves.
| Their parents are proud to rehearse the
story of Jewish heroism and valor and
find therein ceaseless inspiration and en-
thusiasm 10 hold fast to the flag of faith
| and to devote themselves unstintingly to
the glory of their God and country