Governor Deval Patrick, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and other dignitaries will take part in the menorah lighting ceremony at Boston Common this afternoon to mark the start of Hanukkah, eight-day festival, which celebrated the victory of a small army of Jews, known as the Maccabees, over a much larger Syrian Greek army in 139 BCThe official Chabad House of Greater Boston, a Jewish community center for local students, will light the first candle of the 22-foot menorah at 5:00 pm
Menorah, nine branched candelabra, is lit during the eight-day festival to commemorate the "miracle of oil." In accordance with the holiday, after the victory over the Syrian Greek army, the Maccabees had only enough oil to keep the menorah lit at the Temple for one day, but it miraculously burned for eight.
Every night of the holiday, extra candles on the menorah is lit.
"She shines in the darkness, symbolizing the idea that the actions of people trying to do the right thing and doing good, they are able to bring light and push away the darkness," said Rabbi Chaim Prus, regional director of Chabad House of Greater Boston who will light the first candle menorah today. "Everybody's Welcome."
Organizers of lighting will be on hand to give out chocolate coins and traditions of Hanukkah, and small tops known as dreidels, for children in attendance.
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