Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has issued the following Chanukah message:
“I would like to wish Chanukah Sameach to the Jewish community in my constituency in Barnet. I very much hope you all have the opportunity to spend time with family and friends over this period of celebration. After last year’s festivities where so heavily constrained by the Covid emergency, it is great that this time Zoom calls will be replaced by more traditional face-to-face gatherings. May I wish you well as you light the candles in your Chanukiah over the forthcoming days?
This festival of light has an inspiring message for us all, whatever our faith or background. Chanukah reminds us that even in circumstances which seem devoid of all hope, light can triumph over darkness and good can win out over evil. This theme of courage prevailing over adversity is even more poignant than usual after the hardships many have faced over this past 20 months. Happy Chanukah 2021!!”
Observed over eight nights, Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the revolt of the Maccabees against the Seleucid Empire in the Holy Land.
As a mark of respect for the bravery of the Maccabees, and to celebrate the miracle of a small jar of oil keeping a lamp alight for eight days, Jewish people traditionally light a candle in a nine branched candelabrum (or Chanukiah) on each evening of the festival.
