Hanukkah greetings (Rep. Steven Rothman)

It was more than two millennia ago in 165 B.C.E., that a small group of Maccabees, also known as the Hasmoneans, defeated the many and powerful Syrian-Greek forces to recapture the holy Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Not only did the Jewish people achieve victory over those who had desecrated their Temple and outlawed their traditions, but they also witnessed a great miracle – a day’s worth of oil used to light the Temple’s menorah miraculously lasted eight days.

We live in a time when there are many dangers in the world – from global terrorism and Iran’s reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons, to the irresponsible nuclear regime in North Korea and the horrors of human trafficking – but, as this holiday reminds us, we must stand up for what we believe in. And that sometimes miracles do happen.

I wish all of my constituents, all New Jerseyans, and those throughout our country and around the world a very Happy Hanukkah!