Community Corner

Share Your Hanukkah Photos with Your Neighbors

The Festival of Lights is underway in the Chathams.

Menorahs, latkes, dreidles ... it's all part of the Hanukkah festivities. And here at Chatham Patch, we want you to share photos of how your family observes this holiday.

Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights and celebrates the re-dedication of the Hebrew Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

According to the Book of Maccabees, Judea was under the control of the Greek Seleucid Antiochus. Antiochus banned Judaism and many Hebrew practices, including circumcision. He had a statue of Zeus erected within the Temple and sacrificed pigs to the god.

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The Hebrews revolted under the leadership of the rabbi Mattathias and his five sons. Together they took back the Temple, which had to be cleansed and rededicated. Part of the re-dedication was to keep lights burning on a menorah overnight. However, there was only enough oil to last one night.

Miraculously, the oil lasted eight nights until new oil could be found. The Hebrews believed this was a sign from God that he would protect them and provide what they needed, and since that time 200 years before the birth of Jesus, these eight days have been celebrated as Hanukkah.

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There will be a menorah lighting in front of the Chatham Township gazebo on Southern Boulevard at 6 p.m. Monday, and at Reasoner Park in Chatham Borough at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Add your photos to this gallery of menorah lightings in the Chathams or from within your own home.


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