Mr. Speaker, last night people of the Jewish faith marked the beginning of Hanukkah. More than 2,000 years ago King Antiochus tried to force the Jews to give up their religion. Judah Maccabee led his people in a fight to drive him out of Israel. The Jews finally won back the Holy Temple of Jerusalem.
In order to rededicate the temple they scrubbed and cleaned it and polished the huge menorah, but when the priests were ready to begin services they could only find a tiny jar of pure oil to burn in the menorah, only enough for one day. By a miracle the oil burned on and on for eight days.
It is that miracle, that triumph, that the Jewish people mark during this darkest time of the year by lighting the menorah in their homes.
To all people who began the celebration of Hanukkah last night I offer best wishes on behalf of the official opposition. All Canadians of goodwill join with them in the lighting of the symbolic candle and the saying of this blessing:
“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season”.