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

~iE. Feast If Lights. or the t'easi
of Dedication knoNH in He
bre. as 'Hanuhkah,. will occur
December % 1t IS holiday Of
deep and far-reac CHM. signif-
canoe. The modern jew commentaries
in this midwinter festival one of the
most momentoua periods ana victories
in all his or universal history.
The feast wiz bc Observed in all the
Jewish temples of the city At the
Eighth Street Temple the children will be
given their annual Chanukkah entertain
ment next Sunday al :: o'clock by the
Ladies' Auxiliary Society. Rev. Drs. Stern
and Simon will be in attendance On the
preceding Friday DR. Simon will deliver
an appropriate sermon.
The year 16s q. G. found the spiritual
forces of Hellenism and Hebraism in
sharp conflict. The Greek civilization
followed AleXander's conquering army
into the orient. 4 division of his great
empire upon his death among his gen.
erals brought Judea, after a few decades.
under the domination of Antochus. 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 its stupid and
suicidal prototype. The king failed TO
| count upon the valor and resistance OF
| his enemy The gauntlet was thrown
down. The issue was drawn. The Jew
| rushed to arms. 1t was fight for exist
ence. One for freedom To worship God
| 1t was a fight. il is declared. CT Jovo
of beauty against the prophetic righteous
| ness, of pOlytneism against monotheism
| The spiritual destinies Of the world We're
hanging in the balance. The Jew was
| fighting the battle for humanity, it Is
A psalmist of that age voiced the inn
mortal hope of the Jew in the sentence
II shall not die. but live to declare the
deeds of the Lord" With the standard
bearing the battle cry, Who is like unto
Thee, o God. among the mighty" Israe
! gave battle. Army after army under thu
Syrian Generals Appollonious, Heron
GorgiaS, LySiaS and Nicanor was defeat
ed. Ethical monotheisn was saved to tn,
world. After three years of desperat,
| fighting the heroic MaccabeeS and thef
intrepid leader. Judas. led their victorious
army into Jerusalem u65 b. CO. indie
pendence was practically gained: heather
| affairs were thrown down. the walls an(
| fortresses were rebuilt. and the temple
rededica ted amid song and illumination Il
the worship of God. The twenty-flfth day
OF Kisley was set aside for the annual
|
devotion to Jehovah and of loyalty to the
| cause OF jewish freedom.
The quaint legend that Judas Maccabeu:
| found but few drops Of sacred oil witt
which to light the candelabra and that i
miraculously burnt eight days convey.
the thrilling and inspiring message Of the
| conquering power Of the consecrated few
who ara armed with justice. enthusiasm
and valor. Israel in history is the tin,
| cruise OF sacred OIL
| The celebration of this feast has M
| elaborate ritual in the synagogue or il
! the home. 1t has become q special chill
| dren's feast. Aside from the dramatic
musical and edible treats which are thu
| inevitable accompaniment of this eight
day feast. the children are inspired with
the moral and religious responsibility t
continue the tradition and the practice o,
kindling the eight lights in their homes
1t is upon them that the future task Of
keeping af1ame the holy lights Of free
dom, religion and patriotism devolves
Their parents are proud to rehearse thu
story of Jewish heroism and valor, and
find therein ceaseless inspiration and en-.
! thusiasm to hold fast to the flag of faitl
and to devote themselves unstintingly t.
the glory of their God and country.