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Obama expresses best wishes on Jewish holiday

20 December 2011 18:42 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama sent their best wishes to all the people who are celebrating Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday, according to a White House statement on Tuesday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"This Hanukkah season we remember the powerful story of a band of believers who rose up and freed their people, only to discover that the oil left in their desecrated temple which should have been enough for only one night ended up lasting for eight," Obama said in the statement.

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the second century B.C.

"It’s a timeless story of right over might and faith over doubt one that has given hope to Jewish people everywhere for over 2,000 years," Obama said.

"And tonight, as families and friends come together to light the menorah, it is a story that reminds us to count our blessings, to honor the sacrifices of our ancestors, and to believe that through faith and determination, we can work together to build a brighter, better world for generations to come," he said.

The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched menorah. A lighting ceremony will be held on Tuesday for the national Hanukkah menorah near the White House.