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MANSFIELD — A baptism of fire occurred Tuesday night on the city’s south side involving a menorah and the first night of Hanukah.
According to Rabbi William Hallbrook of Sar Shalom Messianic, the trailblazing congregation’s menorah lighting is believed to be the first occurrence in the area on record. During the event the Rabbi spoke about the struggle between light and darkness.
(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
“We are supposed to be like the menorah bringing light to a dark world,” the Rabbi said. “The Messiah instructed his people they are to be the Light of the world.”
To mark the eight-day long occasion, the gathering included hot chocolate and deserts inside the synogogue. With a candy coating of snow outside, the gathering of eighty caught wind of the significance of the menorah lamp.
In addition the congregation took time to honor several local government officials in attendance. Gift baskets were presented to Sgt. Jason Muirfield from the nearby Mansfield Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, Washington Township Trustee Bob Entenmann, City Councilman Cliff Mears, and Mansfield Police Officer Alan Edwards. The baskets were for their department staff.
“We wanted to bless our public safety and law enforcement personnel who help keep our roads clear and safe. This gift is a small token of our appreciation we have for them.”
Rabbi William Hallbrook
Sar Shalom Messianic
“We wanted to bless our public safety and law enforcement personnel who help keep our roads clear and safe,” Rabbi Hallbrook said. “This gift is a small token of our appreciation we have for them.”
According to the Hanukkah tradition, when the Jewish religion was outlawed, a priest and his sons led a rebellion and defeated the heavy-handed Syrian-Greek Empire, liberating their people and their temple. Not only do Jews celebrate religious freedom, they also celebrate the miracle that occurred when the light shone miraculously in the Temple for eight days with only one day’s worth of oil to fuel the sacred menorah.
Comprised of both Jew and Gentile, the local congregation is located at 1650 S. Main Street and has been in the Mansfield area since 2005.
The Bottom Line:
The Bible says in Ephesians Five, “For at one time you were in darkness, but now you are light in the LORD. Walk as children of light.”
