Cantor Henrique Ozur Bass leads students in song Tuesday at the first night lighting of the Menorah at Congregation Har Shalom on Falls Road. Photo by Peggy McEwan/The Almanac
“The light reminds us that not only have we fought for our freedom, but we want to inspire others to stand up for justice, fight for freedom, light up dark places.” — Rabbi Adam Raskin
It was cold and windy Tuesday, Dec. 12, the first night of Hanukkah, when children from Congregation Har Shalom religious education classes, their teachers and parents gathered outside to light the Hanukkah menorah.
So windy in fact that the candle kept blowing out.
But no one was daunted. They were, after all, celebrating a miracle.
Hanukkah is an eight-day festival celebrating the rededication of the second Jewish Temple at Jerusalem. Though there was only enough oil to burn the temple candles for one day, the light burned for eight days, allowing time for new oil to be found.
In honor of this miracle, Jewish people have celebrated Miracle of Lights for centuries, lighting an additional candle on the menorah each night for eight nights.
“The light reminds us that not only have we fought for our freedom, but we want to inspire others to stand up for justice, fight for freedom, light up dark places,” Rabbi Adam Raskin, of Congregation Har Shalom, told the group.
That is why the congregation has its menorah close to Falls Road for passersby to see, he said.
In addition to the candle lighting, celebrants prayed a blessing and sang traditional songs led by Cantor Henrique Ozur Bass.
The center candle, the Shamash, is used to light the others, said Jennifer Newfeld, director of education at Congregation Har Shalom.
“The other [candles] are not allowed to do any work because the only thing they are supposed to do is publicize the miracle,” she said.
Members of the congregation also hosted a Fire and Ice celebration at Rockville town Square Saturday night. During that time they lit five candles on a menorah followed by a community ice skate.