Holiday’s meaning found in the struggle of the few against many

LYNN – The eight-day celebration that began Tuesday night has its origins in an ancient struggle waged by foes in a still-turbulent part of the world.The Maccabees’ fight for freedom from the Syrian Greeks took place against the backdrop of Alexander the Great’s conquests. The Maccabees left Babylon after a break with Alexander and returned to their homeland only to find their temple defiled.”The Jews were forced to go to the hills,” said Rabbi Avraham Kelman, who recalled Tuesday how small bands of Maccabee fighters drove back much larger forces during six years of fighting.”It was one of the original examples of guerrilla warfare,” Kelman said.The eight-day festival of lights celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple with the lighting of the menorah and the miracle of the single candle that provided light enough for the dedication’s duration.”The universal message of Hanukkah is a fundamental one that relates well with democracy. People who are oppressed, who are forced to conform to a lifestyle they don’t agree with can fight back. It’s about the struggle of the few against the many,” Kelman said.The rabbi and his family lit a candle in their home last night to mark Hanukkah’s start and Temple Ahabat Sholom hosts a Hanukkah party Sunday at 3 p.m. featuring Broadway musical selections and food. The temple is located at 151 Ocean St.Kelman was glad to see Israelis and Palestinians initiating talks last month to end decades of violence, but he is not optimistic the new round of negotiations will bring peace to the Mideast and the broader region.”We can only hope.”