December 7, 2005
CHILDREN OF LIGHT:
Bush Observes Hanukkah Early (NEDRA PICKLER, 12/06/05, Associated Press)
Hanukkah does not start until Dec. 25 this year but it was observed early at the White House on Tuesday evening.President Bush helped light a 38-inch gold and bronze menorah, which was loaned to the White House by the Park Synagogue of Cleveland. He said the nation is grateful to American troops of all faiths who are away from their families this holiday season.
President and Mrs. Bush Participate in Menorah Lighting Ceremony (President George W. Bush, Bookseller's Area, 12/06/05)
Welcome to the White House. Laura and I are glad you're here, and we're glad to be here to celebrate the festival of Hanukkah. Hanukkah begins later this month; it's a time to remember the story of a miracle once witnessed in the holy temple in Jerusalem.Posted by Orrin Judd at December 7, 2005 4:39 PMMore than 2,000 years ago, the ancient land of Israel was conquered, and Jewish people were forbidden to pray, observe their religious customs, or study the Torah. In response, a patriot named Judah Maccabee led a revolt against the enemy army. Their numbers were small, yet their courage in defense of their faith was powerful -- and they were triumphant.
When the Maccabees returned to reclaim their holy temple, the oil that should have lasted only one day instead burned for eight days. During Hanukkah, Jews across the world signify this miracle by lighting the menorah. This act commemorates the victory of freedom over oppression, and of hope shining through darkness. Today, that light still burns in Jewish homes and synagogues everywhere. And, today, that light will burn here in the White House.
Laura and I are honored to have a beautiful menorah here from Park Synagogue in Cleveland, Ohio. Rabbi Skoff, thank you very much for sharing it with us. I also want to thank Rabbi Barry Gelman for his prayer and thank him for his deep compassion. As he mentioned, he is the rabbi from the United Orthodox Synagogue in Houston, whose members did so much to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I want to thank the West Point Jewish Cadet Choir for being here with us this evening. Our nation is grateful to the American troops of all faiths who are serving our country around the world, and who are away from their families this holiday.
The word "Hanukkah" and the Hebrew word for education both come from the same root word that means "to dedicate." And earlier today, I met with some of the leaders from our nation's Jewish day schools. As educators who dedicate themselves to teaching the faith and to teaching, they are fulfilling the true lesson of Hanukkah every day of the year. Just as the Maccabees reclaimed their holy temple, these teachers help ensure that Jewish traditions are passed from generation to generation.
Tonight, as we prepare to light the candles, we are grateful for our freedoms as Americans, especially the freedom to worship. We are grateful that freedom is spreading to still new regions of the world, and we pray that those who still live in the darkness of tyranny will some day see the light of freedom.
And now I invite Rabbi Skoff and his daughter and family to join me for the symbolic lighting of the White House menorah. The honor is yours. Thank you.
So why not usher in Christmas while he's at it?
Posted by: Barry Meislin at December 7, 2005 5:07 PMExcellent question.
Posted by: erp at December 7, 2005 5:21 PMDoesn't want to offend Foxman and the ADL.
Posted by: jdkelly at December 7, 2005 6:43 PMSounds like the world's most awkward afterparty.
Posted by: Al Cornpone at December 7, 2005 10:20 PMThey symbolically lit the menorah? Why not for real?
Posted by: RC at December 8, 2005 5:22 AMWell, they lit it for real; but they did it, um, symbolically. (Bear with me on this one.)
It's kind of like celebrating Christmas Mass and having Christmas dinner on December 5th because, well, you just won't be around on December 25th.
Symbolic like. But you still--really--say the prayers and eat the food. (Of course, what do I know? Maybe some people really do that.)
Chalk one up for the Ministry of Decent (if perhaps bizarre) Gestures.
Well, they lit it for real; but they did it, um, symbolically. (Bear with me on this one.)
It's kind of like celebrating Christmas Mass and having Christmas dinner on December 5th because, well, you just won't be around on December 25th.
Symbolic like. But you still--really--say the prayers and eat the food. (Of course, what do I know? Maybe some people really do that.)
Chalk one up for the Ministry of Decent (if perhaps bizarre) Gestures.
Not for real because it isn't Hannukah yet. Now because otherwise it would be drowned out by Christmas.
Posted by: oj at December 8, 2005 7:41 AMDesignate the fourth Sunday in December as Winter Holiday Celebration of all Religions Day. Every religion wishing to be part of it can celebrate in their own way with religious observations and displays of symbols like the Christmas tree and the Menorah. Celebrants of Kwanzaa , Ramadan, Buddhism, American Indian, Pagans, et al. can display their own holy objects.
There would be no displays on public building, no national Christmas tree, etc. Christmas trees could be erected on church property only, the same for the other religions and their symbols.
It would be great a great boon to the beleaguered President of the United States who could spend his time dealing with the security of my grandchildren instead of lighting Chanukah candles out of time and context or hosting Ramadan dinners and who knows what other nonsense the poor guy has to do to placate every cockamamie interest group demanding his attention.
Scott Johnson ('Big Trunk' from PowerLine) has a nice post about this event. It may have been 'forced', but it sounds like it was done well, and done tastefully.
Posted by: jim hamlen at December 8, 2005 9:09 AMRabbi Skoff is my rabbi and Park is my synagogue.
Posted by: Bob at December 8, 2005 9:37 AM