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Hanukkah Begins with Lighting of National Menorah
AP ^ | December 7, 2004

Posted on 12/07/2004 6:41:44 PM PST by West Coast Conservative

The Jewish feast of Hanukkah has begun with the lighting of the National Menorah on the Ellipse -- the park between the White House and the Washington Monument. Rabbi Levi Shemtov, a celebrant at the ceremony, says the menorah represents illumination, with an additional branch lit each night of the eight-day ceremony.

Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish victory over Greek oppressors almost 22-hundred years ago.

Rabbi Shemtov says the National Menorah, which stands near the National Christmas Tree, is about 30 feet tall -- as big as Jewish tradition allows.

In a White House message, President Bush says the menorah symbolizes "the triumph of faith over tyranny." He says Hanukkah is a time to thank God, remember American troops and their families and "pray that all who live under oppression will see their day of freedom."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Israel
KEYWORDS: hanukkah; jewish; judaism; menorah; nationalmenorah

Menachem Felzenberg, center, with Rabbis Abraham Shemtov, left and Levi Shemtov, right, light the National Chanukah Menorah, at the Ellipse, near the White House, background right, during a lighting ceremony marking the beginning of the celebration of the Chanukah, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, in Washington. Felzenberg's father U.S. Army Captain Shmuel Felzenberg is currently deployed in Iraq. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
1 posted on 12/07/2004 6:41:44 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
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To: West Coast Conservative
Where's Adam Sandler with Hanukkah song.
2 posted on 12/07/2004 6:45:27 PM PST by Johnny Allright ((Republicans are a Heavy Metal Rock Group Democrats are a Boy Band))
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To: West Coast Conservative

Happy Hannukkah to all our Jewish Freeper Friends:

May the Lord Bless You, May the Lord Keep you May the Lord Shine his face upon you and give you his Peace!
Blessings All!
From Missy :)


3 posted on 12/07/2004 6:46:26 PM PST by missyme
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To: West Coast Conservative

Shouldn't it be called the "holiday candlestick" or something like that?

I'm offended! (NOT!)


4 posted on 12/07/2004 7:30:26 PM PST by RBroadfoot
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To: missyme; West Coast Conservative
I urge any who seek deeper appreciation of these holydays to find a Bible with the Apocryphal books and read 2 Maccabees, particularly the 6th chapter and following. What story of faith under fire and the triumph of religious conscience over tyranny!
5 posted on 12/07/2004 8:13:47 PM PST by lightman
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To: Johnny Allright
Where's Adam Sandler with Hanukkah song?

Does he still claim Winona Ryder?

6 posted on 12/07/2004 8:17:15 PM PST by Polybius
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To: West Coast Conservative

Judeo-Christian alliance bump!


7 posted on 12/07/2004 8:30:22 PM PST by onedoug
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To: West Coast Conservative

So, what are we supposed to call the Menorah now?


8 posted on 12/07/2004 8:34:45 PM PST by citizencon
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To: West Coast Conservative

Didn't the White House call our tree the National Holiday Tree?


9 posted on 12/07/2004 10:03:48 PM PST by UbonGhostrider (Fire for effect)
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To: West Coast Conservative

That's one hell of a Channukah Menorah.

Happy Channukah All !!!


10 posted on 12/07/2004 10:15:09 PM PST by Bandaneira (The Third Temple/House for All Nations/World Peace Centre...Coming Soon...)
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