The eight glass vials were filled to the brim with olive oil. In each, a wick stood proudly waiting to be lit. It is the eighth day of Hanukkah, our Festival of Lights and our holiday of miracles. Hundreds of residents of N'vei Dekalim and surrounding communities gathered in the parking area of the enclave known affectionately as "mortar neighborhood". Each vial of oil was placed in the tail of a mortar shell that had fallen in that fifty square meter radius of homes and gardens.



Shells that were meant to injure and kill were used instead to fashion the Jewish symbol of life and dedication to the Almighty, the menorah.



The shells had been collected and soldered together with an enormous chain, a chain signifying the unity of the Jewish people. A magen david, our Jewish star, with the word "chai", life, carved into its center. The Hebrew month and year, Kislev 5765, was engraved at its base.



The menorah is painted gold. On both sides are the Israeli flag. One of the flags is torn. The Cohen family, blessed with nine children of whom the last are triplets, heard the thud of a mortar on their front gate. The mortar had ripped off a piece of their flag. When the security people came they found the unexploded mortar wrapped in the shred of flag.



At last, one of the residents of "mortar neighborhood" lit each candle and sang the prayer, "As You did unto our fathers in those days and in these days". The prayer is a simple retelling of the miracles that occurred to our people over 2,500 years ago. Our Maccabees fought not only the Greeks, but the Hellenized Jews who wished to tear apart the land of Israel and turn Torah laws into pagan worship.



I listened to our Chief Rabbi Yigal Kaminetzky speak of the endless bravery of the Nation of Israel, of the few who fought the many and, with their steadfastness and determination, won the battle. He compared us, the Jews of Gush Katif, to the Maccabees of old in their struggle to save the Land of Israel.



We danced, we sang, we ate traditional jelly donuts. Deep bowls filled with popcorn and trays of soft drinks were passed around.



We were literally on ground zero. Gush Katif has been badly shelled during these days of Hanukkah. Mortars and rockets have been fired at us unceasingly. We feel - we know - that the Sharon government has abandoned us. In his haste to implement his expulsion plan, Ariel Sharon has given the Arabs of Gaza a green light to shell us unmercifully.



But we will not give up the battle for the Holy Land of Israel. Not one resident has signed away his home. Not one resident has packed his bags. Not one resident has run away.



Two days ago, a Greek television crew came to Gush Katif. The young announcer half-jokingly apologized for what the Greeks had done to the Jews 2,500 years ago. How long will it take for the Sharon-Peres government to apologize?



The people of Gush Katif wish to thank Mr. Prosper Alfassi of Atzmona for his magnificent creation - the mortar menorah.