"As winter deepens, an age-old holiday, one that spreads warmth throughout Jewish homes around the globe, is about to be celebrated. Falling near Christmas this year (December 14-22), Chanukah offers a similar message of hope and resilience, symbolized by the enduring power of light over darkness," Ambassador of the State of Israel to Azerbaijan, Ronen Krausz, said in his article regarding the Chanukah holiday, APA reports.
The Ambassador noted that Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is a time for family and community gatherings that center around lighting the menorah (candelabra): "As more and more lights are kindled over eight successive nights, they are not only a reminder of a historical event, but also offer a guiding light for the present.
For thousands of years, these glowing beams have carried the message that the Jewish people retain the ability to overcome threats to their existence with solidarity, resolve, creativity and, most importantly, their optimism for the future.
The festival’s deep historical resonance stems from a pivotal moment in the 2nd century BCE when the whole region, including Judea, was controlled by a powerful Greek-Syrian empire. The small yet determined Jewish people, led by the Maccabees, rose up against this mighty empire, liberating the Land of Israel and reestablishing an independent Jewish kingdom.
Chanukah marks an astonishing victory of the few over the many. It is a testament to the power of righteous conviction and the human spirit’s refusal to surrender its freedom or compromise its identity.
This resilience is encapsulated in ‘Maoz Tzur’, one of the traditional songs sung during the lighting ceremony. Its verses evoke the powerful narrative of the Jewish people's survival over the millennia by recalling the powerful empires that sought to crush them, from Pharaoh’s army to the Babylonian, Persian, Greek and finally, the Roman empire.
The Jewish people faced enormous threats yet managed to weather the many storms of history - much like little David stood up to the colossal Goliath in Biblical times - until the modern era when it regained independence in its ancient homeland, the Land of Israel.
The love of freedom is alive and well today in the State of Israel, which continues to demonstrate the same resolve in the face of overwhelming odds.
In recent years, that determination is being severely tested again by the forces of global jihad, from the Iranian regime and Palestinian Hamas to Lebanese Hezbollah and the Yemenite Houthis, who are supported worldwide by those who also seek to delegitimize, weaken, and eventually destroy the only Jewish state.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise that these contemporary threats echo those of ancient times. After all, the jihadis seek a return to the archaic, repressive, and blatantly evil practices that were abandoned by most many centuries ago.
Accordingly, now as then, the flame of liberty must be protected in the Land of Israel as well as in the rest of the free world.
Chanukah is more than a holiday; it is a vital, inspiring lesson. It reminds humanity that no challenge is too great, no empire too mighty, and no nighttime too absolute to extinguish the unwavering, courageous light of hope.
As we gather around the menorah this week, we will draw optimism and strength from an enduring message: light - a symbol of the positive values we all hold so dear - has the power to drive away the darkness and change the world for the better."
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on X
