Welcome to a special edition of the Scottish right Journal podcast an audio presentation of the Scottish right Journal brought to you by the Supreme Council of the Scottish right Southern jurisdiction mother Supreme Council of the world this special article is Hanukkah past and future by Rabbi Sydney
S guthman 32nd degree kcch and comes from the December 1990 issue of the new age magazine predecessor to the Scottish right Journal centuries ago in ancient Palestine the Mad King of Syria Antiochus epiphanies attempted to force his Jewish subjects to abandon their religion and adopt Heathen customs and
Practices he even went so far as to defile the Holy Temple at Jerusalem by setting up a pagan Idol and altar his demands were met with Rebellion the people who gave month istic religion to the world would not tolerate this insolent attempt to destroy freedom of conscience consequently they began one
Of the most heroic campaigns of History few in number and poorly equipped this little band of religious Patriots gave battle to the vastly superior forces of the Syrian Empire they were led by an aged priest and his five sturdy Sons with only the burning inspiration of their ideals and The Dauntless courage
Of their conscience as re enforcements yet in three brief years they won back the city of Jerusalem in an 8-day celebration their leader Judas makabius purified and rededicated the temple thereafter this event came to be called Hanukah or the Feast of dedication and feast of lights for over 2,000 years the
Jews have cherish this memory annually renewing it with gladness and rejoicing throughout the stress and storm of their existence the Jewish people have been deprived of land of wealth of homes and of Peace but no degree of persecution or of Exile could tear from them the memory
Of this Gallant stand which helped to preserve Mankind’s right to worship according to the dictates of conscience in this struggle and its success Judaism gave to the world a vivid illustration of the Triumph that must attend every Warfare of right against might in doing so it instilled in all people
The inspiration to Embark come what may upon the defense of man kind’s inalienable Liberties this is the significance of Hanukkah in subsequent ages similar battles raged for instance the pilgrim colonists and the brave souls of the American Revolution look to the macbes of old as their spiritual
Ancestors this is the memory the vision of Hanukah this feast of dedication can serve also as a feast of Illumination a source of healing light in a world sadly string into the darkness of prejudice and hate thus the macbes who battled 20 centuries ago have sent a message for
Humanity today bidding us remember with understanding endurance and sympathy to have faith in our ideals the courage to strive for them and respect for our fellow men who like us have dreams and cherish aspirations let us on this Feast of dedication dedicate ourselves to Bringing Universal kinship and peace to
A world suffering from its deprivation and without which it cannot endure only then will the spirit of the mabes live again in the Council of Nations and in the hearts of all Humankind
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