Hanukkah and the miracle of freedom

Jews throughout the world are celebrating Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, by lighting candles on a unique, eight-branched candelabra, the menorah. Each evening the middle candle from the holder, the shamash, is used to light the flames. The first night one candle is kindled. Thereafter, on each night of Hanukkah one additional candle is lit until all eight candles and the shamash brightly shine.

The holiday symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness that conveys a deep, universally...