Rabbi: Public menorah lighting an important expression of freedom

Temple Israel of Riverhead marked the beginning of Hanukkah Sunday night by lighting a menorah on the Peconic Riverfront.

Rabbi Michael Rascoe led a group of a dozen people in the three special prayers recited on the first night of the wintertime festival of lights, which commemorates an ancient miracle surrounding the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE. One day’s supply of ritually pure oil lasted eight days — until a new supply of was prepared and ready for use.

The celebrants sang the blessings in Hebrew and then recited them in English before Rascoe lit the first two lights — the shamash in the center, and then the light for the first night:

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.”

Rascoe will return to the menorah every evening for the next week to light the rest of the bulbs, one at a time, until all eight (plus the shamash) are illuminated on Monday, Dec. 10.

A public menorah lighting is an important expression of freedom of religion, the rabbi said.

“It’s a reminder to everybody that religion in this country is open to all and government stays out of religion — that’s why we do a public ceremony,” Rascoe said in an interview after the ceremony.

That freedom is not to be taken for granted, he said, noting that Jews throughout history were persecuted for their religion and prohibited from expressing their faith.

“We are very proud that we are here,” Rascoe said.

Hanukkah songs and latkes awaited the celebrants at the Ostrander Avenue synagogue after last night’s ceremony.

“We wish everyone a very Happy Hanukkah and peace throughout the season,” the rabbi said.

The riverfront menorah, constructed of PVC pipe, was built years ago by the Riverhead Town buildings and grounds division, which erects it on the riverfront each season.